English Turkey

There is a traditional festival which is held in Turkish city Manisa, where spicy minded people live. Imagine a paste made from 41 different spices and herbs. Mesir Paste also known as Sultan’s Paste is an Ottoman Empire invention which began in 1522 and they are thrown to the people for free because the mother of padisah Suleyman the Magnificent had recovered from an heavy disease with this receipt.

Small packets of this paste are thrown from a central mosque to the people (99.9% men) and they try to catch them even using their umbrellas upside down. Everyone will tell you these small packets of energy and hormone boosters are just for health. Are you kidding? Do not believe that! My people will not run for health as much as they run for their hidden night fantasies. And, just because it is free, they will do everything to grab. That’s the second reason. I have never eaten in my life but will try surely next time I go to Istanbul, it is quite imaginable what awaits the person who gets a big piece. Here is the list of herbs used in this traditional receipt with English, Turkish and Latin names. I say Oh My great Thor!

• Allspice (Yeni bahar) (Pimenta dioica)
• Alpina officinarum root (Havlican koku) (Alpina officinarium)
• Anise (Anason) (Anisum vulgare)
• Black cumin (Corek otu) (Nigella sativa)
• Black myrobalan (Kara halile) (Terminalia nigra)
• Black pepper (Karabiber) (Piper nigrum)
• Buckthorn (Topalak or Akdiken) (Nerprun alaterne)
• Cardamon (Kakule) (Elettaria cardamomum)
• Cassia (Hiyarsenbe) (Cassia)
• Chebulic myrobalan (Kara halile) (Terminalia chebula)
• China root (Cop-i cini) (Smilax china)
• Cinnamon (Tarcin) (Cinnamomum verum)
• Cloves (Karanfil) (Syzygium aromaticum)
• Coconut (Hindistan cevizi) (Cocos nucifera)
• Coriander (Kisnis) (Coriandum sativum)
• Cubeb (Kebabe) (Cubebae fructus)
• Cumin (Kimyon) (Cuminum cyminum)
• Dried orange blossom (Portakal cicegi)
• Fennel (Rezene) (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Galingale (Havlican) (Alpinia officinarum)
• Ginger (Zencefil) (Zingibar officinalis)
• Iksir sugar (Iksir sekeri)
• India blossom (Hindistan cicegi)
• Java pepper (Kuyruklu biber) (Piper cubeba)
• Licorice extract (Meyan bali) (Glycyrrhiza uralensis fisch)
• Licorice root (Meyan koku) (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
• Mastic (Cam sakizi) (Mastichum)
• Millet (Hintdarisi) (Pennisetum glaucum)
• Myrrh (Murrusafi) (Commiphora Molmol)
• Muskroot (Sumbul) (Adoxa moschatellina)
• Mustard seed (Hardal tohumu) (Brassica nigra)
• Orange peel (Portakal kabugu)
• Rhubarb (Ravend) (Rheum Palmatum)
• Saffron (Safran) (Crocus Orientalis)
• Citric acid (Limon tuzu)
• Senna (Sinameki) (Cassia senna)
• Turmeric (Zerdecal) (Curcuma domestica)
• Udulkahr (Udulkahir)
• Vanilla (Vanilya) (Vanilla planifolia)
• Woad (Civit) (Isatis)
• Yellow myrobalan (Sari halile) (Fructus myrobalani)

And a possible dialog with a tourist about Mesir Macunu.

Hey dear resort-rose Elisabeth, this is Turkish Mesir Paste.
-What is that?
It’s just an aphrodisiac. (Inner Translation : I wanna sleep with you, this is just a foxy hint to achieve my summer goal)
-Uhhh, I see and? Are you using it a lot?
……………

I am amazed to see that Amazon sells them as well.

Merkez Mesir Macunu (Sultan’s Paste) Natural Herbal Energy Supplement 2 Pack

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According to European Union statistical foundation Eurostat, Istanbul became the most populated city in Europe. In this list, other Turkish cities Ankara takes the fourth, Izmir takes the ninth place.

Istanbul has a population of 9,898,000 and it is followed by London with 7,429,000, Paris 6,385,000, Ankara 3,402,000, Berlin 3,388,000, Madrid 3,100,000 , Athens 2,884,000, Rome 2,554,000 and Izmir 2,387,000.

It is also stated that 65,000,000 lives in the biggest 26 cities of Europe. Another interesting statistics about burglary and stealing cars. Brussels is the leader in this category and is followed by London and Amsterdam. The most active car stealer cities are from Italy. Turkish cities were not in the first 20.

A view from Istanbul business area – Levent.

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I will introduce you Semih Sayginer, Turkish legendary billiards player who had won 25 times Turkish Grand Prix Championships and several World Championships and tournaments. One of them is by beating another legend, World Champion Ceulemans 3-0 in Germany in 1994. Unbeatable master of trick shots. Inventor of 40 authentic shots which became a part of the Billiards History. His efforts made the billiards an official sport with federation in Turkey. You can read further on his own website but first watch the following impressive videos that I have compiled for you from Youtube. Even if you don’t understand a word of billiards watch them. You will shout one word : Unbelievable !

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Did you know that Istanbul is a city of underground cisterns? There are hundreds of them beneath Istanbul. Yerebatan Sarnici (The Basilica Cistern in English) is one of the largest cistern in the world and one of the most popular tourist attractions of Istanbul. This facility, preserved up to the present day, was built in the 6th century by order of Emperor Justinian as a reservoir for the Great Palace of the Byzantine Empire. It is 140 m long and 70 m wide. The vault is supported by 336 columns, 8 m tall. After the invasion of Istanbul by Ottomans, they didn’t notice the cistern almost 100 years. Then, it is discovered because people were fishing there.

Pulsing lights, water dripping from the ceiling and music played over strategically placed speakers add an air of mystery to the place. You can see fish swimming in several areas.

It is a tradition to throw coins and wish for. Interestingly there are two Medusa heads supporting the column as in the photos heads down. According to some sources, they were placed intentionally at that position to humiliate pagan cultures and previous Roman religion. As a fun fact, James Bond canoed his way through the cistern in a scene from From Russia With Love movie!

There are several cultural activities like acoustic concerts, exhibitions during the year. There is a small cafe inside where you can drink coffee and feel the athmosphere.

Located near to Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet region.

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Well you can wonder what these boys are doing in such position. Don’t have evil ideas instantly Actually it is an entertaining traditional Turkish game played in two teams. There are donkey team and jumpers team. Jumpers try to crash the donkey line by jumping on them. If they become successful they get the points. There is in most cases a prize like baklava or something similar to eat for the winners. Many people have backaches or other problems with their spines in Turkey and non surprisingly they played this games in their young times !

Look other funny photos and a video!

Turkish play even at the sea!

A girl donkey construction. Who wants to jump on them?

In schools

Video : Long Donkey in Classroom

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Well, I wanted to write interesting and important things about one of the bloodiest wars of all times, The Battle of Gallipoli took place on the Anatolian land called Gallipoli (Canakkale in Turkish) in 1915, during the First World War. Can you imagine the terror of that war? Even, the bullets were crashing each other on the air. Here is the photo :

A joint British Empire including ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps), British Indian, French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul, and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed, with very heavy casualties on both sides totaling 350,000 lives! The tragic waste in human life and hopes of peace.

What I wanted to emphasize is the importance of the words of great Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who founded the modern Republic of Turkey.

He was the chief general commander of Turkish side on the battle at that time and these words are written on Memorial of Anzac Cove in Gallipoli.

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets (Turkish people call their soldiers like that) where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.
—Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

ANZAC day at 25 April is now one of the most important days in Australia & New Zealand. Many people from these lands come to Gallipoli each year to remember that day. It is a chance for cultural connection of new generations of Australian, New Zealand and Turkish people.

I suggest 2 great items for the people who are further interested to understand that days.
Gallipoli – Mel Gibson Movieand Gallipoli (Perennial Classics)

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There are two words to tell this novel written by nobel-prize winning Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk. Dark and Powerful!

The Black Book starts with the short flashbacks of the boy,through his childhood and the story slides mysteriously in the dark shades of his memories in istanbul,the darkest city ever in a book told.The whole story is comprehensive enough to gaze at the beauty of this ancient sparkling
city,the author tries to immaculate the readers and he achieves.  This book requires effort, but it is worth every bit of it.

I especially like the pages where it is told what would we see under if there would be no water in Bosphorus sea and the crazy parts with the old Ottoman head executioner.

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First of all, these films were produced by serious intentions and considered great at that times (70s) in Turkey, but the results are really funny and pathetic according to our 2000s mind. If you watch them until the end, possibly you will want to commit suicide or to make some weird things. Click on thumbnails to watch them.

Turkish Superman	Fearless – Turkish Rambo	Turkish Batman & Robin with 007 Music	Turkish Star Wars
Turkish Wizard of Oz	Turkish Exorcist	Turkish Star Trek	Turkish Spiderman is evil

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The cartoon drawing that you see near is an imaginary scene from Bashi-baozuks attacking to enemy without any clothes by famous Turkish caricaturist Bahadir Boysal.

There is a legend that Ottoman army put crazy people on to the horses naked and sent them fiercely to enemy army. The enemies couldn’t understand what the hell these strange looking, shouting horde coming to them for death and as a result, there occurred much disorder and moral fall in the army before the real battle.
Besides the legend depicted on the drawing, there was really an army of bashi-bazouks (In Turkish languages it means “Mad Head“) who didn’t obey any rules, undisciplined living without salaries. They were also mostly religious fanatics which gave horror to western countries.

The western literature and history, this term entered exactly. Even from famous cartoon Tintin series, Captain Haddock used it as a curse and argot. You can read more at Wikipedia about this unique army.

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This is exactly what two Turkish families constructed to visit each other without efforts. One side is a 75 years old father, the other side is his daughter and her family. This bridge is already there for 3 years and seems to be secure.. At least until now !

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