Visiting the political and religious capital of Turkey.

When asking people about Ankara, I was having mixed reactions and answers. I could say it was 50/50, some said: "sure man, you should definitely check it out." Others were more like: "dude, there is nothing to do there. Why you want to visit that?"

And this very fact sparked my interest. But I had surely a sober expectations for Ankara. After all it is a modern, big metropolis, where most people go for work and business. Maybe that is why, I was often feeling like an only tourist in town. Checking into the cheapest hostel with an awesome terrace, I have made myself tea and went up to check out the view.

I am well trained tea drinker as I have previously spent quite some time in Morocco. Their mint tea is the best. But Turkish tea has it's own taste as well. Can't complain.

The hostel was located just two kilometers from the main train station, meaning I didn't had to use a public transport, or take a taxi. A big bonus as Turkey introduced their own tracking mechanism and requirement for linking each ticket with a personal "HES" code. Generated by immigration to every tourist wishing to enter this euro-asian country.

As many people mentioned. Ankara is truly a political city. One feels this weird control cloud around. Big amount of police guys and soldier boys gives it well deserved bad reputation.

Not that they would somehow bother you, quite contrary, they are most of the times out of people's way, but "just in case" presence is a presence not having. Maybe the local secret services are overly paranoid about some kind of bombing attacks or terorism, or they have some justifiable worry we as visitors have no clue about.

Nevertheless, the former president of Turkish Republic - Ataturk, has probably sold similar amount of t-shirts as commandante Che-Guevara. Well at least in this part of the world. He is literary everywhere.

On my first day, I didn't do much as the transfer from Eskisehir took away half of my day. At the hostel itself, nobody was speaking English, which intensified my feeling of lonely tourist.

I went out just to grab some fast food and potentially beer in some local pub, but was it difficult. I am a fan of typical American bars, where one has a chance to speak to random people and make connections easily. But this is old continent and nothing of that sort is present. Here it is about preserving families in an old fashion. So everywhere you go, you'll find groups of people talking to each other at one table, not Interacting with others. Even the bouncer will be looking for table for you like if you expect somebody to join you later. Very different bar culture than what I am keen on. Good, will save me some money for better parties.

On the contrary, food is another level again. I have mentioned already in my previous posts about Turkey, how amazing the local cousine is. Full of colours, smells and flavours, if you enter a good place, you will not want to leave. And they will make you stay, with extra tea and sweets, which is better to politely decline as tea for free is not always free ;)

All the best,

Global Local

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