The Disenfranchised.

I should know better. In my 34 year association with Turkey I've made more than my fair share of mistakes and I still haven't learnt my lesson.  In late March I was told that I would be travelling to the Highlands of Scotland again this year. I didn't book my own flights, so it was on 30th March that I found out that I'd be travelling back to Bodrum on 7th June.  Election Day! And that I'd be flying in a couple of hours after the polls closed so there was no chance of voting.  I know one vote either way won't make much difference but I especially wanted to have my say in this one. So off to my local mayor I went, to find out how I could tick the box for democracy.  He gave me my Voting Paper and said that all I had to do was present my Identity Card at the airport and I could vote in advance before I left. And this was my mistake - I believed him.  Even though everyone knows that you should never believe what a person in authority in an official office tells you. Consider it maybe, but never believe it without investigating further.  So I arrived at the airport on 22nd May. I presented myself and my paperwork to the two pleasant ladies at the voting desk and they told me I couldn't vote because I hadn't filled in a form saying that I would be out of the country on the 7th.  Which form was this I asked.  The one that had to be completed by the middle of March.  So I stomped off through passport control muttering unrepeatable sentiments to myself and anyone in earshot.
( It doesn't help that we are still awaiting the delivery of the postal votes that would have allowed us to vote in the UK election in May)

As you can see, I obviously don't have my finger on any political pulse at the moment so I'd like you to read this great post from Alan, who does.  It explains why, despite my disenfranchisement,  there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon in Turkey today and gives you a recipe that involves gin - What's not to like?

BOTTOMS UP!

Relative peace has returned to Turkey and to our quiet corner. The election is done but not dusted – now come the smoke-filled rooms and the shenanigans and (in my opinion) the ‘Night of the Long Knives’!There are two blessings to be counted. First, those bloody awful vans plastered with portraits of political wannabes that go around in convoys blasting out ghastly music have disappeared back from whence they came. continue reading here