Ozgur Can Leonard - bedreddin

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9th October 2009 Grifter	Djibouti - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti I have to be the only person in the world that loved Djibouti. It helps the women are the most beautiful I have ever seen, and I've been all around the coast of africa, but it was homey to me. I didn't worry about crime, i had worse incidents in western Africa. I had fun going to Hermes, and Golden Ballast and other bars. It was just too damn hot and too damn expensive for me. How can a Djiboutian survive there.
8th October 2009 Liiban Yusuf	We are used to it! - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Somalis are used to white folks coming to their country acting one-way and whenever they leave the show their dislike and biases. One of the first person who came from Europe and into East Africa was Richard F. Burton. Even though while he was white and foreign looking and the times being 1800s he was welcomed by nomads and city folks alike. What did he do when he started writing about his adventure in Somalia. He made the people seem stupid and animalistic. So, the stares you got weren't much about your hair, but more about their forethought "you acting kind now and backbiting ones got home".
3rd October 2009 anonymous	11 months in Djibouti - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti My first time leaving the U.S. was to the Horn Of Africa to DJI, eye opening experiance. Arrived via transport at 0 dark thirty hours, wearing a fleece jacket, that was the last time I wore a jacket until I left 11 months later. 100 degrees the highest temp 150. I drove the roads of Djibouti out to many of the villages, saw the Djibouti to Ethiopia expressway from both countries. The train station in DJI city where once a week supplies and people cram awaiting transport to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Many refugees, from the surrounding countries. For most part the people of Djibouti welcome outsiders. My interpreter, (informed me the original Planet of the Apes, was filmed in Djibouti). I surprised and amazed him, with how I found my way around the city and the outlying villages, Driving on so called roads, goat trails. Would love to own a high top safari style Land Cruiser, here in the states. As far as the Legionnaires and their shorts (nut crackers) one word DAMN!! You stop your vehicle for two things in Djibouti the Goats running free at chat time and one stop sign (where the gaurds hold AK-47's) On the port of Djibouti, surrounded by blight, poverty hunger filth, there is a Five star Resort, the Kempinski, the only place in Djibouti city I would sit down to eat or use the restroom. If your wondering, I'm a black/native american, with many Djiboutian Husbands. As my Male counterparts say.
5th September 2009 Sebastian Bach	"NO MORE" - From: No Greeks here... "No More"...This is what I am titling this article. "No more"...stands for frustration on the part of the Turks across the world who are fed up with Greek propoganda and Greek bias. "No more" also stands for the heart and soul of the Turks, who, as a collective whole, have had enough of the BIASED ULTRA ORTHODOX GREEK stance and way of life. With that said...let me begin. "No More" No more talks and conversations about the "Great Greeks". No more talks and rumors about the restoration of the GREAT Church of Hagia Sophia. No more dreams about a unified Eastern Alliance of Christ against the "War Mongering and Barbaric Turks". No more toleration for talks about a Eastern Ultra Orthodox Patriarchy. No more time!! The time that we have mismanaged and wasted toward the development of friendly relations with an ULTRA ORTHODOX CHURCH and ULTRA ORTHODOX NATION STATE which in no rational way wants to coexist as neutral neighbors. No more equal grounds and diplomatic relations. No more care towards the SO CALLED FAIR AND JUST EASTERN SPIRIT OF CHRIST. As our Christian neighbors believe, time is always on the sides of those who take pride and care in each and every step of life. We Turks have an abundance of time to spare to undo the far too lethargic stance that we have taken on "GREEK" and "EASTERN ORTHODOX" relations. We have taken a relaxed stance on far too many topics. Our needs, our wants, our desires, our passions, and our pride have all been adulterated by our "Diplomatic" Christian counterparts. Each and every Turk is a direct descendant of Ishmael and the image of God. We breathe his air, drink his water, eat his fruit, and protect his land. Turkiye is his homeland and our pride. Turkiye is his mother and our holy spirit. Turkiye is our blood. Turkiye is our light. Turkiye is our air. Turkiye is our water. Turkiye is our path to nurishment. Please do not be mistaken! ISLAM IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE FATHER OF TURKIYE...and WILL NOT be COMPROMISED. Turkiye is our home and WILL NOT be DESECRATED. To those who are deserving, we will smile, wave, lend a hand, give aid and judge with pain staking care. What we will not do, is allow any friend or foe to enter our space and attempt to corrupt our way of life. For those who hold claims against our land and space, understand that YOUR NEEDS WILL NOT BE MET. Each and every nanometer of soil in our motherland is protected by the spirit of Ishmael. The God of Ismael is on our side. You must be wondering what would make a man think such thoughts. The answer is quite clear. Our "GREEK BROTHERS" have overstayed their welcome. They mock Turkiye, Islam and Judaism. They desecrate Ishmael and his children with their prayers for the spread of an unyielding and all encompassing ULTRA ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY. They "PRETEND" to be companions while bickering and planning for the expulsion of TURKIYE and her children to the barren lands of Central Asia. They are evil. They are unjust. They do not represent Christ's love and compassion for all of Abraham's children. With all of its claims to unwarranted lands, unwarranted people, and unwarranted resources I FIND IT SAFE TO SAY THAT ULTRA ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY IS NOTHING SHORT OF MODERN DAY NAZISM. I holds the characteristics of the NAZIS who also place unwarranted claims against OUR JEWISH BRETHREN. FOR ALL OF THOSE SOULS WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND...PLEASE READ CLEARLY. JUDAISM IS ALIVE IN TURKIYE. ISLAM IS THE FULFILLMENT OF JUDAISM. ISLAM AND THE SPIRIT OF JUDEAH WILL PROTECT TURKIYE FROM THE CORRUPTED AND UNYIELDING EASTERN PATRIARCH. PLEASE KEEP YOUR CLAIMS WHERE THEY BELONG. YOU DO NOT HOLD RIGHTS TO CLAIM TURKIYE'S AIR, WATER, NOR SOIL.
30th August 2009 live and let live	dude I applude you - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place "Houses of Berbera have a distinctly Arab look-and-feel to them, but I get the impression that the locals weren't the ones who built them." "Berbera (and possibly the whole country) has the feel of being abandoned. As if the original owners just packed up and left, and the newcomers don’t quite know what to do with what they’ve inherited. It’s just a feeling I get when I see the collapsing villas, or the rows of whitewashed houses which like they were originally shops. It’s like a ghost town with people. (After writing this blog, I learned that Berbera was actually an Ottoman town, and the Turks left as the British were arriving around the turn of the century. That explains a lot.) " "There used to be Jewish communities throughout the region, including in Berbera and Yemen. East Africa has traded with Indians (Hindhus) for hundreds of years. The Ottoman Empire had many Christian subjects and officials in high places" Dude, thanxs for doing your homework, that place 'Berbera' was for century associated with Yemanite Jews who migrated to either Israel or Yeman. Most, of the exterior, the port city Dude, thanxs for doing your homework, that place 'Berbera' was for century’s associated with Jewish merchants who migrated to either Israel or Yemen in the 1940’s. Most, of the exterior, the port city’s were cosmopolitan and sophisticated community that were traders of frankincense, myrrh, spices, cinnamon and Berbera was in the middle of it all, it strategically placed near the entrance to the ‘Bab al Mandeb’ or ‘Bridge of Tear’. At, least you did portray the Horn of Africa and Somaliland with the usual ‘western centric’ mentality, dude next time come by we’ll do some camel wrestler and fishing. Somaliland favorite son. peace
25th August 2009 Awad	Interesting - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Your experience in Somaliland is interessting. I just wonder how much of your relatively/locally not that normal hair played in all of these encounters. Certainly a lot I suppose in the staring, curiosity and suspicions that lead to thorogh questioning. Does your friend feels the same way?
24th August 2009 Shereena	- From: Afghanistan, Finally wow you went to afghanistan? i have no idea how i found this but coooooooool. im afghan pathan, my names shereena ermerm. yep. are you american?
30th July 2009 anonymous	- From: Sabra & Shatila The only political thing I will say about this is that you cannot demand peace from people before offering them (or in this case, giving them back) decent standards of living. It's a very crucial foundation for peace. I am half Lebanese, 16 years old, and my dad was there during the civil war and sabra wah shatila massacre. He is a doctor and was a doctor back then working for the red cross, saving lives. Last week while visiting relatives he took me to see the camp so I "wouldn't forget that these people exist, and the massacre existed." I went, and it was horrible like you said. Just not conditions people should be living in. You can see it in their eyes: each generation thinks they will be the one to escape, but the fact is that they are born there, live and die there. All of them have for 61 years now. And it's sad. My sister was with me and did take photos, although I agree with you, it was kind of hard to do but we did it anyway because actually, you can find beauty anywhere. The children loved the fact we had a camera (and were delighted to hear us speaking arabic although we both look fairly american at first glance, we are bilingual). They were beautiful to picture and proved the fact that humanity remains under the ruins of politics. Always. No group of people, no matter what, is inherently evil. That's what we all need to remember. The children of all races or ethnic backgrounds help remind me of this...humanity is solid. Besides that, though, we all had a good time. Even in Sabra. May all people find peace, within themselves and on the outside too.
19th July 2009 viridian	Hama: Aqueducts introduced to Romans by Persians - From: The Syrian Hinterland Your photos are evocative; the posts about 4 years old, so I would suggest if you haven't done it already, to check out who created aqueducts (before the Romans). Romans borrowed them from the Persians. I don't know if you are a Middle-Eastern guy but sometimes I get really surprised and disillusioned when I realiz information, perceptions and dialogues, about your own neck of the woods not only was probably taught to you by European colonial education, but through laziness you are cut off from your own histories.
16th July 2009 Robert	Many of us are waiting for your next blog entry - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life Hey, bedreddin! I read your travel blog from the very beginning till the end. The most fascinating blog in this site, at least for me, being a native Hungarian. My country, Hungary was, is and never will be a Western European country and we are somewhere between Western Europe and definitely determined by the Turkish influence. I am a big traveller myself, having been to more than 56 countries but I have no blogs here. I can very well identify myself with your view of the world. I am worried about you and you are missed as well. Please write at least a short entry about your current standing. By, Rob
14th July 2009 Ali	you got to be ashamed - From: Sabra & Shatila First and for most i would like to commend the previous writers for their creativity in describing their points and making perfect sense. What took place in Sabra and shatila is a disgrace to lebanon as a whole nation especially the Kataab the cowards who have never shot a single bullet against Israel. First and for most, nothing the palestinians have done justifies what the kataab did. The PLO was a liberation organization. It had supporters who rallied behind them. They were corrupt in so many ways but the have never commited massacres or killed innocent people in such a barbaric way. The PLO's have done many mistakes but nothing compares to what the phalanges did. The palestinians were fighting for a good cause and were dispersed from their land by force unjustly. Lebanon being comprised of many religions and secular, some people rallied for the cause and others did not (Phalanges ... the puppets). Now if part of the country rallied for the palestinian cause they have every right to do so. Bashir the (pig alkhanzeer, just like Jaaja) was given a deal witht the Israeli's to be elected president and he did for few days. He got killed and got what he deserved. Now, for the phalanges in seeking revenge by slaughering helpless women and children and even the elderly tells us a lot about these cowards. It showed the idealistic believes of this militia, it is build in hatred, racism, and agony. It showed that they were not only rebeling for their coward bashir but also they have hatred against all muslims especially the palestinians. History showed their cowardness but you know what god is great and justice was served by the killing of Hbeiqua and Bashir's nephew and more to come. It should not stop until the house gets cleaned from their cowards who have no dignity. Sabra and shatila has showed the extent and how far hatred these cowards have for others. These cowards have more than they deserve as far as power and political roles are concerned. They can not be trusted nor they can be kept un monitered. They never learn their lesson even though their leaders died in humiliation and by the worst ways of death. These same cowards who claim possession of lebanon have done nothing good to lebanon and dragged the country down. I wonder how they rally behind this militia based on false grounds. I always wonder how ignorant their supporters are. In fact, i believe their followers deseve the same kind of punishment and that is death. Because if you look up to such leaders who are corrupt and deceptive, you are as guilty as them. I dispise these followers who were raised on hatred. The pahlanged owe lebanon an apology. As a matter of fact every other party or militia has contributed and fought against the enemy while these animals were hiding and wishing death on their so called lebanese citizens while their lebanese citizens were under brutal attack by the enemy who have been killing innocent people for years. Going back to the Issue of Lebanon. Yasser Arafat was receiving tons of money. Every Lebanese in the government was getting paid. You can name them. They turned against the PLO when they became helpless. I could understand some frustration from the PLO but at the same time you have to understand why they were created. I am first to admit being a palestinian that they were not angels.. the PLO's have made some mistakes. I know their were minor incidents where they acted bad. But they never commited massacres against anybody. They were their to protect and fight a good cause. The palestinians were kicked out of their lands unjustly. They did not want to be in Lebanon, Syria or Jordan. They did not want their homes and lands taken. The did not want to be slaughtered even before the existance of the zionist state of Israel. In addition, they did not want to be slaughtered by the phalanges in tal-Alzaatar... There were given land by the UN and lived in Refugee camps. The Lebanese government was getted paid for the land leased by the UN. The lebanese government was getting money from the PLO as well. This is so typical of Lebanon. Money Lebanese are your friends as long as they benefit from you. When you run out of money, they turn a blind eye. The economy was prosperous when the PLO's were there. The dollar to the lebanese Lira was 1 to 2. The palestinians contributed to the economy by spending money inside the country. The palestinians despite their miserable situation have become lawyers, engineers, doctors, poets, and scientists. Palestinians have the most PHD's compared to their population. Lebanon gave the palestinians a refuge but that was not by choice nor it was the palestinian choice to lose their lands. I saw a movie called waltz with bashir i urge everyone to see it to get a clearer picture about what took place. Last but not least, i solute and thank those who rallied behind the palestinians and sacrificed for lebanon and fought the enemy. For others, get a life, live your pitiful life filled with guilt, shame and hatred. One thing i know for sure is that god is just, he'll always be their to protect the helpless from the hands of those to try to drag the country to hell or try to side with the real enemy..... ISRAEL.. Long live Palestine..... Proud palestinian.......
9th July 2009 oOOo	fascinating - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life Whilst researching Lebanon and coming across your travels there I have ended up reading almost all your posts. Great stuff. At work now and getting inspired to hit the road.
19th June 2009 jemaneh	comment - From: I'm Alive i ame born in ethiopia but i am liveng now ganave i rede yure,s later i layket and tankyuo
24th May 2009 Neil	- From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life The world as only a Seppo could see it.
Ozgur Can Leonard 12th April 2009 bedreddin	single girl traveling to somaliland - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place do i think it's a good idea? NO.
4th April 2009 Mick	exactly how ethiopia is - From: A day in the life I have traveled in Ethiopia also and find your experience was very similar to my own. The presumption that you are there to give money and pens, that you are "charmed" by their pushy demands, the backwardness. Beautiful scenery, but the people... very arrogant and at the same time inefficient and archaic.
1st April 2009 student	question about traveling to Somaliland - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I have a question about traveling to Somaliland and I was hoping that maybe you could give me your insight on it (or that someone who reads this could) (and yes, I realize this was published years ago, but you know how hard it is to find a good travel guide on the country). Anyway, I'm an American college student interested in traveling to Somaliland, but I was wondering if you could comment as to whether you thought it would be safe to travel alone as an American and as a girl. Thanks.
23rd March 2009 Samson	Who cares about this blog? - From: The State of Eritrea The chronicle of disillusioned white boy in search of his lost soul, nothing much! You have never opened your eyes, and never seen what was there. Really pathetic! Come back when you are 40 and mellow.
8th February 2009 Kagnew	Eritrea American - From: A day in the life I must say you are a brave soldier of fortune, I was a Soldier of the real sort in 1970 living in Eritrea and had the occasion to travel throughout the Empire of Ethiopia with the support of the US Army, It was easier for me I think and you learned more in your stays then me living there 18 months. I envy you even with some of your harsh attitudes and perceptions. You are young and now I am old and we saw two different situations in Ethiopia but for sure I loved them and they loved us. Lets hope one day things get a little easier for these great people.
31st January 2009 OB1	- From: Sabra & Shatila some might argue that what Mr. Erdogan did in Davoos was a PR stunt to reinstate the Turkish power all through the arab staes... But I say he is a MAN and a well spoken one as well,arabs, petrol lords,Amr Moussa please try to learn...... Tashakurat
23rd January 2009 Mr. Rheaman	Money Up Front or Bullet in the Back - From: She's Pissing me Off It's been two years since your wrote your post. Now that the terrorists are killing innocent Pakistanis by the thousands, do you still think the good guys are trying to make donkeys out of you? The good guys are still preaching democracy. The bad guys are the ones who are currently attacking Pakistan from the inside. America gives Pakistan money, arms, support. The terrorists give you death. Choose wisely.
20th January 2009 anonymous	never mind - From: Stoned Assassins, Drunken Partygoers, and the People of God disregard my previous comment...our friend was Libyan, not Syrian. different story altogether.
18th January 2009 anonymous	- From: Stoned Assassins, Drunken Partygoers, and the People of God thanks for showing the real lebanon, which we didn't really see when we were there due to time constraints. and for the very moderate syrian girl...i wonder how much of syria she really represents. a very close syrian friend of my husband who lives in egypt went through a period where he couldn't talk to us because of issues related to the war in iraq even though he didn't blame us. and he never introduced my husband to his family because they wouldn't be able to stomach an american (understandable). it took the birth of our son to bring our families back together again. we do have a long way to go in making bridges and i hope there are more people like the open-minded girl you met (and folks like you showing up there and listening).
18th January 2009 anonymous	book? - From: The End of an Era wonder what you were reading on the train...
14th January 2009 amira	lovely - From: Adrianopolis the mosques are breathtakingly beautiful (at least as captured here) and fried liver is delicious (egyptian style is a bit spicy and wrapped in flat bread like a fajita)
12th January 2009 Barry	Ex Berbera Boy - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I was lucky to live in Somaliland from the age of 11yrs unlil self government in 1960 yes! I'm 62 years old and I loved both the country and the people,some of the most beautiful people on earth.First we lived im Gabiley my Dad worked on the boys School during its final construction.We then moved to Boroma,Dad fell out with the district Commissioner as he turned his water off so he could not water his garden,this preserved the water pressure pumped from Amoud so Somalis walking up to 20 miles for water had a permanent tap running 24/7. We then mocved to Berbera it was wonderful I spent most of my mornings with the local fishermen and fishing each morning and late a night when the temperature was excess.Remember this was 1959 on air con we slept upstairs out on the verandah or house was part of a square close by to a mosque.Although I am much older after my time in Berbera I have yet to complain about the heat especially here in the UK.
9th January 2009 Elise	leisurely cut onions. - From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu Well I've completed another entry and yet again I must say that I really like your writing, your thoughts, your impressions. I had to cook for myself this past semester and although I used far more frozen vegetables than I'd like to admit, I really enjoyed the experience and loved your reflection on the process of making a meal vs. a restaurant. Who would think we'd actually have commonalities after all these years. Hah. Well it's the 4th quarter of the college bowl championship (I'm watching with the Sjogren boys) and it's getting quite exciting so I better start paying attention. Grace and peace.
9th January 2009 Elise Sjogren	made it. - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life I made it to the end! Yessss. And it was incredibly fascinating; I really like your writing style and enjoyed reading it and learning a bit more about your life. Can't wait to catch up.
8th January 2009 catching up	- From: Syria, East vs West loving the blogs and the photos! you are an amazing photographer (something else to be proud of...)
5th January 2009 Adeel Khan Sherwani	- From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life Thanx 4 shearing with us.. Adeel Khan Sherwani from Austin
2nd January 2009 Sammi	Can Americans receive Eritrean citizenship? - From: The State of Eritrea Once i graduate, I would like to travel around the world. I want to see everything that I read about in books. Eritrea has some of the most beautiful people I've seen, wow. I would like to raise my family there, is there any chance for me to become "an Eritrean" by visa. lol
31st December 2008 alison Trick-Thornton	Fascinating and very Brave - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life I feel like a real flashpacker compared to you. What an inspiration you are. I have too much snake karma to do what you are doing . However I really respect you!!!! I have a practical question. How do you download books. My whole backpack is almost always books. Not very practical. Thanks for the info. Happy New Year, Alison
31st December 2008 Zack	Reply - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place You seem a quite ok expat. Some expats are very bad Africans should educate themselves about these tourists and expats. They are ( sex tourists ) They are ( cheapskates ) looking for freebies even though they have hard currencys, wont even give to a poor african but instead wants it free! They are ( a scared people ) respects you while they in your country and then slacks you off when they return home! they ( kidnap little african kids ) given the chance, maybe to molest or god knows. they ( act politically correct & sympathisers ) but they rather see you die slow lol thats about it but you do get the ok ones but also should be approached with caution!!! so for some of my fellow somalis be careful remember what happened in chad and equatorial guinea I just love to know what these people get upto, one of them will slip hate to be in their shoes cause some africans will slit your throats OUCH Bye they (
22nd December 2008 Adeel Khan Sherwani	Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life Intresting... Adeel Khan sherwani from Atlanta
20th December 2008 lucy chatters	reply to michelle - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti Hi Michelle, Sorry for delayed reply! Travelling alone here was fine - in terms on moving about, you'll have to hitch, or very expensively hire a 4wd, but it's worth it. It's one of the safest places I've been - people seemed very accepting and welcoming. It's also relatively hassle-free crossing the border from Ethiopia. You won't meet many other travellers, but hey ho! Lucy
17th December 2008 Porky	- From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu By the way, I was being sarcastic
14th December 2008 the crashpacker	ha! - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life I'm sure you're a fellow 'Crashpacker' - especially with the humour and stupidity you fall into possibly dangerous situations. I will read your other blogs and enjoy!
13th December 2008 Drew T.	re: long? - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life my disappointment is not at the length but at the fact that i have no more to read. many thanks.
Travels at thirty one knots and faster! 13th December 2008 Lafayette Balch	You kidding me? - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life This was a really entertaining post to read. Between the crab-allies, to the sense of danger you were feeling, to the relief of finding civilization... really good stuff.
13th December 2008 Dan	Wow - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life Wow
13th December 2008 Porky	- From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu Your so cool..... your a proper 'Traveller', you have a beard and everything !
13th December 2008 A. Zudro	- From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life Interesting story. I wasn't disappointed. Glad you made it out of that mess!
Ozgur Can Leonard 13th December 2008 bedreddin	long? - From: Lumpur Hidup: Mud Life yes, i realize it was very long. my apologies to all who read till the end and were disappointed.
8th December 2008 michelle	lucy chatters where are you? - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti hi lucy, i saw your post here about a lone woman traveling in djibouti. email me. i'd like more details about your adventures.
19th November 2008 anonymous	- From: 48 Hours in Djibouti obock is my vaforite place in Djibouti, lollllllllllllll
4th November 2008 minusf	anon is the man - From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu anon, your reply is spot on, saved me a lot of typin' :] i know bedreddin's pastoral views very much :] he is a dreamer who has never experienced living in poverty _without_ a bank account and/or working for one's own food 24/7 (as opposed to BUYing, what he does all the time). his views are distorted by the pile of cash he made in an unnamed high tech silicon valley company (dying now for years) before he started travelling... he is suffering from the standard post-cubible illusion of total and absolute freedom (for years now). he will have to come back to society at one point again and then blood will flow... as i have discussed with him his review in mail/chat somewhat longer than presented here (for the record, i enjoyed the dawkins book, i was one of the first who told him to read it ;-) i want to clarify an important point he failed to make: his dissing the book doesn't implicitly mean that [Gg]od exists. i.e. he just thinks the book is really bad and not a scientific proof at all. now go all ye with peace :]
Ozgur Can Leonard 4th November 2008 bedreddin	laptop? - From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu how did you know?? oh no, now i've been caught out! yes, i admit i travel with a laptop and digital camera and gps and pda and i only refuse to upload pictures out of a sense of false humility and perverseness...
4th November 2008 anonymous	- From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu I would say kant (pronounces as cunt not kent) what do you think?
3rd November 2008 Anon	- From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu It's an amazing thing that you're able to publish this electronic blog all of the way from the pages of your notebook. Self-righteous. You so badly want to be Thoreau. Perhaps some more education could help!
3rd November 2008 anon	i'll bite - From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu Two comments. First, "So: is this the "boring domestic life" many western women throw themselves into the stress and bondage of wage-earning capitalism in order to escape?" Ha, ha, this is so funny! But you have an excuse :) you do not get enough nutrition. I see it more like ["a collection of tens of factors" + stay at home woman for lifetime -> unhappiness], where you think that ["stay at some exotic place for 3 weeks on your own" -> happiness] is equivalent to the above and you say, I am happy, so women must be wrong!!! If I list all the factors that will take a lot of time, so I will not bother. But please consider that conditions probably involve serving other people, serving sex to your husband, giving birth to kids, with bellow minimum wage allowances, where you probably do not have a chance to get an ipod, surf the web, travel or buy books. So yes, I prefer capitalizm: it pays better, you do not have to serve other people, you do not have to serve sex, you can chose whom to live with, and you can chose whether to have kids or not. [There is another issue too: many women in developing countries have not seen anything different, and the upbringing prepares them for such marriages and for a stay-at-home life. I can think that they may not be as unhappy as their western counterpart. The success bar is also different: I cannot imagine a western woman not haivng the same dreams as a western man, but I can see a non-western women's goal in life being mother of many, great wife, serving everybody well.] The second: your book review. Trying to disprove God was my past time in highschool and early college years. I'd say I wisen up (it is hard to beat a belief with logic; belief is a belief: it was planted long time ago and even years of proofs/education may not displace it, it stays), but I do not view such attempts as useless. If people were at the comfort and intellectual level where they would think for themselves what religion and/or God is, and whether the whole thing about God made sense, they would probably abandon their belives in the first place. But, lets face it, most of the human population on earth is not, thus reading a book like this will not leave them in disgust. If 1 in 100 find it useful so be it. Maybe better books will be born out of this too. It is hard to compete with a 2000 year long status quo, you have to start somewhere. Your travel stories are very interesting, enjoy and keep sharing! But for the answers of the questions above you need not spend years in travelling. A couple of books, a couple of classes would be enough bringing you a good perspective on the issues.
Jonathan Campion 3rd November 2008 Vinovat Sudarynya	Perhaps the lively debate will come after this comment... - From: Time Stands Still in Terengganu All I wanted to say was that I enjoyed another one of your well-written and thought-engaging blogs. My gran used to live in Malaysia, and remembers it just as you describe, without KL's skyscrapers and Westernisation. It's great to read about places like Terengganu. J.
26th October 2008 debra	stupid. - From: The State of Eritrea This is the worst thing i've ever seen. I've been to eritrea many times before and everyone of those pictures are the 'bad side' to eritrea. maybe next time you can focus on the MANY beautiful parts yeah ?
9th October 2008 anonymous	poor destination - From: The State of Eritrea it seems Eritrea is a nation stuck in an empty pride, with nothing to show! Eritrea lacks not only wealth but character, unlike most African countries that are poor but rich in character. by the way do they have a national dish that is not of Italian or Ethiopian? just curious.
22nd September 2008 Rahel	hilarious - From: The State of Eritrea Checking out travel blogs, I came across yours. I'm Eritrean and I live in Eritrea...and I thought your blog was hilarious! You're an excellent writer. Can't wait to read about your other travels...
19th September 2008 bas	Interesting!!! - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Thanks for a very interesting article. However, I agree with an earlier poster that the political rant was not needed.
16th August 2008 David	- From: The Fastest Way to Receive Money Not really enlightening. Your french friend behavior is nonething new" french are known to try to screw anything with toenails, and if doesnt have toenails,they will find a orifice"
15th August 2008 hisham zawil	lebanon is wonderful - From: Tripoli, Hiking, Partying and Baalbeck ive lived in lebanon most of my life and i still look at tourist maps periodically to check out more places i can get to, like remote temples, natural wonders and the like... i cant help but get used to all the racism, without it hey it just isnt home.. :P you just have to get used to the dialouge, and be as neutral as possible, every lebanease person will try to deny their religious intolerance by claiming that they have a sunni best friend or a christain relative, why cant that person be me. as for the our palestinian brothers, true they nasty duringi the civil war and before, but lets get one fact straight the goverment of lebanon didnt welcome them they were assigned to camps and had real cruel laws surrounding them. they still cant get work or building permits or enter public schools? hows that for a warm welcomeing. other than that i advise anywone to come viset this very interesting country!!!!
15th August 2008 Robi marceu	Yacine collection - From: Tales of the Beach I got it. thanks I am sending my best wishes Take care yourself. I tried to send a reply :P
14th August 2008 visitor	post need pics. - From: Consumption, Cambodian-style Nice stories but seeing is believing!
12th August 2008 Chris	arabic amor¿‡„4 - From: MIA in Yemen ahhh, the arabic world is amazing, i worked in Oman for the first half of this year, and now am missing it immensely being stuck in miserable London. I recommend everyone learn some basic arabic and head to the middle east... even with a simple "salaam alaykum" the locals greet you with smiles, and fantastic hospitality...
11th August 2008 katrina	trying to fit in. - From: Consumption, Cambodian-style Selam Can, I'm amused by your effort to categorize yourself as a non-tourist. I think that is exactly what has prevented me from traveling so much. I don't want to be the tourist. I want to live in one spot for a while. Speak the language. Get to know the local grocer and be around for the seasonal holidays. and then move on to somewhere else...The other obvious thing is...You know the further east you go the less you can blend in. hadi bir gun gorusmek uzere, Katrina
30th July 2008 Lydia	It's a small world. . . - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) Hey Can, SO RANDOM, we're going to Bozcaada and saw this blog, and then BAMMM! It's CAN LEONARD!!! This is Lydia Persson (LP to you) from way back in the day. Saw Devrim a few months ago. . . so crazy to come across you like this online. Hope you're doing well. Kimberly Schrieber is here with me, too. Have many fond memories of Ankara camp ve sayre. . .
11th July 2008 Shayda	Beautiful - From: Adrianopolis Hey These pics are so cool, old buildings have so much more depth and beauty than 'modern ones'. My favourite is the relgious graffiti picture it would be amazing to see it in the real. :))
4th July 2008 Doug Dangger	- From: Tales of the Beach Alright kid. I am seriously getting worried about you and your imaginary world. Is there anyone out there who knows where this punk is and can get him some help?
Jonathan Campion 3rd July 2008 Vinovat Sudarynya	Thanks. - From: Tales of the Beach Have really enjoyed your last two diaries - you seem well-fed and relaxed, and it shows in your superb writing. J
2nd July 2008 said	good blog - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place gggooooooooooooooooood blog
7th June 2008 hodan, sheffield ,uk	check out Burco nxt time!!!!!!!! - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place hey, i don't knw how i came across your blog, but iam glad i did. cuz it was real intresting read. you should've visited a city in north somalia called Burco, cuz their ppl there r so friendly and welcoming. can i jus mention that somaliland will never be recognised as a country this is becuz many ppl from north somalia (ie ppl from burco, las annod etc) refuse to acknowledge somaliland as a country, and want to continue living in somalia. and since one city (hagaysa) does not constitute a whole country, s-land supports need to get over it. neway enough of the politics! good wrk dude! and stay safe (insha allah)
29th May 2008 cissy al chilki	incredible photos & commentary - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home sought pix of the desert.....stumbled upon magnificent Yemen pix.....began to read........deep appreciation for what you've experienced and share grew......signed up to learn of your travels. THANK YOU for the beauty, intelligence........all of it. Take care (doubt YOU will heed same, ha ha). Cissy
28th May 2008 Joe	<< - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Have you been to these countries? I expected not. Perhaps in some parts of the tribal bush there is relitive peace, but there is no sense of humanitarian civility as you describe and safety is always questionable. Yes war generates culture, and war culture is nasty and violent, consider western soldiers finding trouble reintergrating into peaceful civilization. And you can keep your michael morre steriotypes of America and consider yourself dupe of obvious and intentional propaganda. In the past year I have lived in Yemen and have traveled to those regions, and can avow for the normalcy of these photos. Oh, and in yemen, the ratio of owned guns, is three automatic rifles to every man.
26th May 2008 BURC	YORULMADIN MI DAHA?? - From: Consumption, Cambodian-style Abi sen anlattikca ben yoruluyorum.Yillardir Izmir'den BFL ye arabayla nostaljik road trip olayina giremedim bile usengecligimden.Senin olay beni 100 bin kere asar. RESPECT :)
24th May 2008 Nico	Really good writing - From: Down and out in France and Spain I was just looking for a place to camp outside Paris, but got stuk on your site. It sounds like you had a really nice trip, and I really enjoyed your way of personal and unpretentious writing.. Now I wish I had a bike here ;-).
8th May 2008 David	To Quetta? - From: Quetta Days I'd like to go to Quetta, but I"m a white American. How big of a problem is this? I speak some Arabic and will have been in the Third World (the Middle East--Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine) for four or five months before I go to Pakistan. So, what do you think?
6th May 2008 Abdullahii Yusuf	somaliland is safe - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place compared to puntland and mugdisho. Somaliland has a legitimate goverment. I wish you had the cohunas to go to a city called Galkayo. President of The Transitional Goverment
3rd May 2008 undomiciled sophisticate	good to have you back. - From: Consumption, Cambodian-style Hey bedreddin, excellent stuff as usual. Good to see you are still alive and full of pith. Mind if I ask, why no pics?
1st May 2008 Jon	the rat race - From: I'm Alive And to whoever wrote Hello, and about the rat race, I dodnt think there's anytihng ot regreat, I was thinkign the same thing whben I read this story.... so much bullshit in the world, what do we really need? food, shelter sometimes, the bare necessities. Why sowe work hard to make our companys owner richer?? that dont acomplish anything. Sure it puts food on the table, but there are other ways. Look for the bare necessities The simple bare necessities Forget about your worries and your strife I mean the bare necessities Old Mother Nature's recipes That brings the bare necessities of life
1st May 2008 Jon	Survival, so easy a caveman could do it - From: I'm Alive Glad to hear you're still experiencing the world, I've ben following your story, havnt checked in on it in a while, Im gonna read the new posts, keep your eyes open for danger! always look before you leap
29th April 2008 artemis	which tolerance? - From: No Greeks here... Turks like to believe that the Ottoman Empire was a tolerant state but if it was so, Hagia Sophia wouldn't be surrounded by four minarets! Neither most mosques would have been formerly churches! On the contrary, they would have remained as churches and continued to be used by the Christians, at least during the ottoman times. Moreover if ottoman state was a tolerant one, today, there wouldn't exist so many Turkish people with European, Mediterranean characteristics, since Turks are an Ural-Altaic group of people, which is a Mongolic branch (and there's nothing bad about it). I refer to all these Turks who descend from local Christians, who were forced to convert to Islam with one or another way, during the long ottoman rule. Have you ever asked yourselves about it? And don't tell me that those Christians had converted to Islam because of …inner spiritual search! What is sure, is that nobody - and certainly not the invaders Turks- can accuse the Greeks of demolishing minarets. By the way, shall you know that we haven't demolish all minarets or mosques, there are still quite a lot of them in Greece, most of them used as museums or just standing with no making any use of them. On the contrary in Turkey, lots of them were used as places for animals or storehouses. In the occupied, by Turkey, area of Cyprus, a place that doesn’t belong to invader Turkey according to United Nations Resolutions, turkish army “allowed” churches to be used as dancing schools and monasteries as hotels (sic)! Greeks were attacked in their own land, been killed, been raped, everything in their country has been looted, they ‘ve been kicked out of their homes and had to endure less or more cruel conquerors for centuries. When Greeks finally gained their freedom and independence (and I HOPE THAT WE ALL AGREE THAT EVERY NATION HAS THE RIGHT TO BE INDEPENDENT AND THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION), they had every right to decrease the "souvenirs" of the foreign invaders, who had taken advantage of them for centuries, in order to make a fortune and a name for themselves! After all, Turks could have stayed in their own homeland, nobody asked them to come here and then we would have been the best of friends! But since they came, they should respect what they have found on this land and have no demands from the indigenous people! We can’t treat the perpetrator and the victim the same way! There is something the Turks have to learn : nobody has to respect a bad, undemocratic state, a fascist one. The Greeks had no reason to respect the ottoman state and the violent invaders. Christians in the ottoman empire were treated as inferior people, they paid much heavier taxes than the Muslims, they weren’t allowed to carry guns, they were sold as slaves and women were taken to muslims’ harems. The famous “privileges” given by Mohamed the Conqueror were given just because the Sultans and the whole empire needed people to work and muslim invaders - a nomad warrior tribe- didn’t know how to do it, and if all Christians had converted to Islam immediately, everything would have been paralysed!Even if Mohamed the Conqueror had the best of intentions, Muslim administration all over the empire didn’t share the same opinion about the Christians and their behaviour couldn’t be checked easily from the Sultan! Only in the last century, after serious military defeats of the ottoman army and economical decrease, non-Muslims were given more freedom, since the Sultans needed someone to save the empire! So Greeks, owed to revolt against an undemocratic and deeply racist state as the ottoman one, for the sake of everybody!
20th April 2008 Will	Thanks for Sharing the Great Photos - From: Syria, East vs West I appreciate your sharing these great photos. The more we can share other places the more we can understand our world.
16th April 2008 Jonas	Glad to see that you're still traveling - From: Consumption, Cambodian-style I really enjoyed your Africa posts awhile back and I'm glad to find myself catching up with your other travels. I'm planning on fastpacking the Camino in Sept/Oct, so I was glad to see that you had that part covered as well. Best of luck and happy travels.
Erika Bird and Robin Searle 8th April 2008 Banchory to the Bosphorous by Bike	- From: Consumption, Cambodian-style Good to hear your news again. I am glad Cambodia has given you some solace from the grief of India and disappointments of Thailand. Just wanted to let you know that we too don't know what to tell people about our travels, it's been three years now and for us too the big 30 is this year. Anyway I started reading your blogs when we were planning our great escape and finally our paths are getting closer together; we are in Vietnam just now. For us too Laos was a disappointment and India just plain tough. Vietnam despite all expectaions has been cool with great people, but we have stayed in the central highlands and away form the touristy beaches. Anyway will head to Cambodia, perhaps you'll see us cycling Erika
6th April 2008 BeN	cok coolsun - From: Consumption, Cambodian-style Bence cok da guzel travelling yapiyorsun:) Cozdun de artik heryerde local olabilmeyi, en guzeli de o!
19th March 2008 Mads	- From: I'm Alive Hi, No blogs yet from India?? Would like to meet you if you come to Bangalore.
4th March 2008 zeinepp	still alive - From: I'm Alive galaktikler arasi dunya haritasi uzeri yakin takibinde oldugumuz bedreddin nin yasamindan aile boyu endise ediyoruz ' beyaz adamlar tarafindan mi kacirildigini yoksa man-eater kaplanlarla mi yasamaya karar verip vermedigini kestiremiyoruz' haritaya rehatla dululu diye bakmanin da bir faidesini goremedik hezeyanla abdeyt lerini bekliyoruz.
4th March 2008 Sonja	- From: I'm Alive Hi! How r u and where? Im Sonja (and Zdenek from Czech Rep.), we met in Pak. KKM-Pasu. We r in India still travelling around recently south. Its amazing time traveler has isnt it? I can see here that u have seen big peace of Middle East. It was my dream do it same way as u but it seems Im not such tough. I was curious how Pakistan has been after death of Benazir. U can write me so we can chat a little. Greetings!
6th February 2008 Rolf	Hello2 - From: I'm Alive Dont know why... I regret posting my last comment. I feel i did something wrong. Take care man.
6th February 2008 rolf	Hello - From: I'm Alive You dont seem to be enclined to "get back in the rat race" yet. I am faced with a dilemma... To leave everything, and be happy in poverty and freedom... or to grasp the opportunities of getting rich and "making it"... and risking to loose my true self. Everybody seems to be eager to employ me with attractive terms. I wonder if it's because they sense that I want to run away. usually when they sense that people subconsciously try to retain you by every possible mean... They cant really explain it... it's how society goes, They dont like the nail that sticks out. Or they want what they cant have easily... either of the two. Enjoy your freedom!
4th February 2008 MEHTA	INDIAN BORN INHARGEISA - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place THANKS FOR THIS GREAT ARTICLE. I WAS BORN IN HARGEISA, BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR AND IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN AFRICA. THE ISAAQS (SEPERATIST TRIBE OF SOMALILAND)NEED TO SHOW THAT THEY CAN REBUILD THE PROVINCE AND BRING BACK LAW AND ORDER BEFORE ARGUING FOR INDEPENDENCE. RESPECT FOR THE OTHER WAS A SOMALI TRAIT THAT IS NOW LOST AND REPLACED BY INTOLERANCE.
15th January 2008 Sam	Why just little boys? - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti why take only pictures of little boys from the villages? Why show off you paid food to someone, maybe you could chosen a nice hotel so you're not bothered by beggars.
15th January 2008 Sam	Man you are without hope! - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti No matter how hard you try you won't sound European. Most Europeans of today who go to these places you went are more educated than you and they research the places they're visiting. Moreover, they don't show racism implicitly and explicitly as you are doing. I wonder why you don't tell us about how Turks had harems full of little boys...btw was that part of a tribal thing or a ritual Turks brought from the steppes of central Asian. Oh maybe that's outdated just like the female circoncision you are telling here. Why don't you tell us about the civilizing influence of China in East Turkemistan. No, no you can't because you had to play to Levingstone forgetting this is the 21century. By the way, Berbera hasn't been Ottoman. You are confusing with Zeila. You also need lessons in History, not to brag about an hypothetic Turkish influence. If the Ottomans went to conquer other countries, it is because they had the Muslim califat and an agenda to fulfill. Mr ozgur, you should avoid looking down on people and depicting people with a negative brush and then you get some credibility. On your travel blog on Djibouti, how come there is none of the hallmark of Djibouti's geography. This is not a country to visit to comment on the shorts of French men or on the mask women wear on their face. It is a country full of contrats, of extreme geography and sublime landscapes. I didn't see any of that. If you keep your blog like it is, I am going to look for ways to complain about you to whoever is hosting you here on Travelblog. Hey, I forgot to say I am sorry about the comments people made about your hair, they didn't know you would be nasty on Travelblog after that. Next time, try not to go to too conservative countries.
15th January 2008 Sam	of course these the only pictures you could show - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place From your pictures on Djibouti, Erithrea and Somaliland, I already know the impression you want to give. I wonder why some people travel to far away countries if they only want to shock and show negative things. If I were you, I would stay in my home country in my nice and cozy home and wouldn't even waste my time on these obscure and dangerous places. I am sure we all worry about the unknow, but it is a shame you didn't know (researched) you were much safer than in any big American city. The reason is people in these countries you went to don't have a culture of guns a culture of shoot before you're shot they are not obsessed with their security and protect their gardens with a riffle. If you sincerely found these place unsafe, I advice you to go back on your steps and fly back to wherever you are from. The Horn of Africa is unsafe where there is a war because otherwise people are culturally peaceful and they don't kill to steal even when they are extremely poor.
4th January 2008 contessa	contessa - From: Thoughts from Peshawar Canim, what an honour to be mentioned in your fabulous blog :). I did not know it was THAT disgusting to swallow - sorry... Keep your smurf hat out of trouble!
4th January 2008 anonymous	- From: I'm Alive Much relieved to hear you are safe. Thank god. Glad to have you here in India.
3rd January 2008 anonymous	- From: I'm Alive iyi olduguna sevindim... ben hindistana gelecegim karar verdim..
1st January 2008 Dan	New Year Wishes - From: I'm Alive I enjoy your postings and I am glad you are well. Best wishes for the new year.
John Wallace & Sylvia Bowman 30th December 2007 John and Sylvia	Glad your ok - From: I'm Alive I'm a lurker from way back in Somalia. Spent some time in Swat and surrounding areas in the early 70s. Your postings have revived many memories for me. Thanks for your sharing. Surely Australia beckons for a complete rest!
Tiziana Stupia 30th December 2007 Travelling Priestess	Brilliant writing - From: Thoughts from Peshawar Am really enjoying your blog - good to get another viewpoint on places I've just been to.
30th December 2007 Mommy	- From: I'm Alive Hamdolsun ve _ükrolsun! God is great!
29th December 2007 frodo baggins	from Chicago - From: I'm Alive glad to hear you're alive. i've been following your story for the past 6 months
Ozgur Can Leonard 29th December 2007 bedreddin	funny - From: The State of Eritrea you're not articulate. i have no idea what you're talking about.
28th December 2007 jonathan	funny - From: The State of Eritrea u took a greater intrest in your own hospitality, comaparing it to your own rather lavish lifestyle back in wherever shame i did not read anything about the people who did not choose to live in a third world state
24th December 2007 ali	sen kimsin - From: Thoughts from Peshawar sen kimsin bizim saraplara rengi acik diyorsun.... alya alya
14th December 2007 Rick	Not sure... - From: Among Infidels How I came across your Blog site but I've found myself reading about your travels...next I realize it's been nearly an hour. I will past this site on for I'm certain others will find your travels as interesting as I have. Enjoy the upcoming Chowmas and I'll do the same with Christmas here in the States.
8th December 2007 afghan	blue eyes - From: Afghanistan, Finally afghans have blue eyes. Quite a bit of them, right down to the chinese looking ones, the white looking ones and the black looking ones. gee. really.
8th December 2007 Patricia Gundert	Glad you're writing again! - From: Conversations in the North Hi Ozgur! I'm amazed at all the experiences you've had and that it's been over 3 years that you started this trip! What made you cut your hair? I didn't recognize you at first! Looks good! Greetings from SLO and the Leonard-Gunderts!! Patricia
6th December 2007 Mukhtar	Somaliland - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place i have been there last year and Somaliland is peace and nice place to be. if you need moor information please check www.dalxiis.com -peacefull -beautifull nature -friendly people
6th December 2007 Eleni	What future??? - From: No Greeks here... And which is the future you are looking at my friend??? To shell all the greek houses you took by force to tourists??? Houses that people left all their belongings there because they left in just one night... Is this the future you dreamed for? In my country we say... don''t do what you don't like the others to do to you... In this life is Paradise in this life is also Hell...
24th November 2007 undomiciled sophisticate	Blue Eyes?!? - From: Afghanistan, Finally I have read all of your entries up to now and for whatever reason I am astonished to read that you have blue eyes, roaming around Afghanistan and Pakistan (and Iran). i have wanted to go to Peshawar and Islamabad (and Afghanistan) ever since a conversation I had soon after 9/11 with a journalist from Fortune magazine. He was distinctly left like any of us, but his politics, no matter how sympathetic, could not save him. He had 2 armed guards his entire 3 month stay in the region, who, they say, were there to keep his pretty blue eyes inside of his head. So, do you wear sunglasses or anything? Anyways, keep tearing it up.
23rd November 2007 Mj	Wow - From: She's Pissing me Off Amazing, simply loved your story telling and writing style. It is so true ''the "conflict" is just to make donkeys out of people''.
17th November 2007 Doug Dangger	Both yourself and Ozgur Can are trying to further yourselves - From: From my Rooftop in Pindi You handed it to me Mr. Tumnus. You showed me the value of a real education and the benefits of extensive traveling. I don't mind being set right by you. You two are alright. I'll be glued to your diaries for the next few weeks so that I can shake off some of my ignorance and know what's up - just like the two of you. Please keep doing what you are doing. There are a lot of us who would not be able to make it through another day if it wasn't for the encouragement and novelty of ideas that you two bring to our lives. Thank you for the insight that you have given me personally. And thank you for having the patience to set a fag like me straight-if you'll pardon the pun. All the best to both of you. I hope that you can forgive me.
Jonathan Campion 15th November 2007 Vinovat Sudarynya	On Bedreddin's behalf. - From: From my Rooftop in Pindi Or maybe, Doug Dangger, you could see a little of the world yourself and learn some respect for the people in it? If you're worried that some places outside the United States may not speak your language, not have running water or a culture which you understand, then you don't even have to step outside your neighbourhood. Borrow a computer at your local gay club and read mine and Ozgur Can's latest diaries. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy my Narnia play on words, I was quite pleased with it. But then again I had recently been kicked half to death during my own travels and was recovering from concussion at the time, maybe I was too tired to be witty. Both myself and Ozgur Can are trying to further ourselves. We don't need abuse while we're travelling, and expect messages from people who enjoy your stories, not ignorant, arrogant pedants. Please go to the Travelblog main page, look at the map of the world, and find Georgia. Hint: it's to the north-east of Turkey. When you see it, and realise that you were wrong about one little thing, you can start to appreciare that you are wrong about a lot of things. Jonathan
15th November 2007 Doug Dangger	From your rooftop in Pindi.. - From: From my Rooftop in Pindi Little punk, hope you have been doing well. I decided to hit your blog up and see what great adventures you have been up to lately. She's pissing you off, ha? Maybe if you spent less time sparking the owl at night, and rambling about imaginary places that you are going to, and actually tried to be a help to your mother and of some use to society, you would understand your mother's frustration better. Being bedridden is no excuse. I know a lot of people with handicaps who have done something for themselves in this harsh harsh world. You will get nowhere with the way you are going now. YOU HAVE GOT TO QUIT BEING SO DAMN IRRESPONSIBLE. "There's an eagle or otherwise large bird of prey perched on the frame of a satellite receiver." UH HUM. Whatever you say kid. That large bird of prey usually goes by the name of pigeon and if you happen to see one when you are NOT stoned out of your mind you might agree with me that they are quite small. Enough of that. I noticed that some decidedly queer looking guy by the name of Jonathan had a bone to pick with me because of my previous comments. Dear Jonathan, I live on the planet Earth and I'm loving it. If you want to come down here and pay me a little visit, I'll be happy to pay for your plane ticket and to discuss whatever you want mono to mono. If you and little runny-nosed bedridden are in this together and want to send me a postcard together from Narnia or wherever your latest trip is please send it to 1-2-3 Ashkick Street, and don't forget to sign it as "Queerer than a three dollar bill" so I know its you. I'm out.
Ozgur Can Leonard 13th November 2007 bedreddin	Don't OD yet - From: From my Rooftop in Pindi so.. i've had a little extra time, I felt like sharing some of my experiences in pakistan... and I uploaded two blogs in a day... don't get sick of me yet... the sun sets early and there are many hours in the night to spend...
11th November 2007 melissa	Thinking of You - From: Open Email from Abbottabad Dear can, Think of you so often! Be careful and travel back this way sometime. Melissa, Van and Josh
5th November 2007 anonymous	- From: Open Email from Abbottabad Hi, Glad to see you in the subcontinent. Yes, Pakistanis are very hospitable and friendly people. It is a good country to travel to in peaceful times. Be careful and take care. It would be hard to beat India in craziness though (of a different kind). An Indian.
5th November 2007 lisa	Pashtun - From: Open Email from Abbottabad Wow, just as I sent you a comment on your last entry, a new entry appeared. What good fortune. I smiled to myself when you said you are mistaken for a Pashtun. I remember looking at photos online of the Pashtun people and they are very striking. It does not surprise me at all that you are being confused for a "local" Good luck with your northern journeys.
5th November 2007 lisa	- From: Quetta Days hey Ozgur. It has been a long time since I checked your blog and I guess it was just as well, seeing that you were MIA for awhile. Really good to hear from you and know that you are still out there travelling on, living life. Be safe and write soon!
5th November 2007 Takashi	great admiration - From: Open Email from Abbottabad dear Ozgur Can, you're such a great traveller, i like your stories.... and point of view Do you remember me ? I m the lost japanese you met in Tchad.... I still remember the painfull but great time we together had there. I looking forward to hearing or reading from you
5th November 2007 janvier	wunderbach !! - From: Quetta Days dude, as usual and for ever, you rock, please carry on travelling and telling us so beautiful stories, we love you Ozgur. And for once you see i read your blog and I m even the first to comment.... Greetings from Omar , J marc and Bobby Ulich
Ozgur Can Leonard 5th November 2007 bedreddin	who is bedreddin - From: Afghanistan, Finally http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedreddin basically, an early leftist theologian who led a revolt against the established forces of pre-capitalist oppression
2nd November 2007 off	off - From: Afghanistan, Finally Olum yuh be, iyice ipne amerikali olmussun. yok anxiety manxiety, nerde kaldi turk damarin, soyle bi biyik birak, bi tesbih al, omzuna at ceketi dolan ortada. Bak gorursun gelirler abi bi emrin var mi diye ayagina.
Jonathan Campion 26th October 2007 Vinovat Sudarynya	p.s - From: Afghanistan, Finally Just a bit of a p.s, I'm sure Bedreddin isn't 'bedridden' spelled wrong, but my Turkish stops at 'merhaba' and 'zahmet olmazsa' so please tell me what it means!
Jonathan Campion 26th October 2007 Vinovat Sudarynya	@C78O. - From: Afghanistan, Finally Ozgur Can I've really enjoyed reading each of your diaries, which I wish I'd found a long time ago. You really have a way with words, and understand people superbly, better than some people give you credit for. Your sense of adventure is unbelievable, too; I hope there will be more to read soon. I've just read the comment that the gay journalist made. It's very sad how people with access to so much education can be so ignorant and yet so self-righteous at the same time. Juxtapose it with the knowledge of the gypsy kids in Turkey, for example, and the modesty and warmth of some of the people you met in Africa. I hope some day we'll meet up in Georgia, where my next trip is to, and have a beer together. We could even send him a postcard, if we knew which of the 50 states of La-la-land he lives in. Keep writing and stay safe, Jon
Ozgur Can Leonard 10th October 2007 bedreddin	hopefully not the end - From: Alive in Herat glad to hear you disagreed with my views :) hopefully "real soon now" i'll be writing up a storm (i'm way behind).. but you know how it is... after a while you realize no-one understands what's going on anyhow and it's just a way to pass the time, and you write in your diary enough as it is... hence the lethargy.
Irish Traveller 9th October 2007 ConMel	- From: Alive in Herat Is that it for you? No more blogs? If that's the case, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your writing, even if I disagreed with a lot of your views. I followed your blog from the start, way back in Turkey, and was hooked from then on. Your writings on Egypt and Ethiopia in particular were my favourites. It's too bad you've called it a day, but I know from experience how tiring it can be to keep updating a blog, especially if you don't enjoy it anymore, and feel you're only doing it on demand. So good luck!
7th October 2007 bi' dost	- From: Still Here... sen onaylamasan da, ben yazicam.. senin icin.. baska turlu bir sey benim istedigim ne de olsa, ne agaca benzer ne de buluta.. burasi gibi degil gidecegim memleket.. denizi ayri deniz, havasi ayri hava.. ;)
4th October 2007 bi dost	adalar ozlemis seni.. - From: Still Here... gun olur alir basimi giderim.. denizden yeni cikmis aglarin kokusunda.. su ada senin bu ada benim.. yelkovan kuslarinin pesi sira...
1st October 2007 Janvier	far from being true - From: Still Here... So Dude what is that you were sayiing about "this blog is just a way to show off" and "i should travel just for myself....
1st October 2007 Janvier	I suppose I cannot swear in public - From: Still Here... so I won t let u know what I really think about your last post......
28th September 2007 Dan	Welcome back. - From: Still Here... Glad to see you are still posting. Your travels stories are just about the most interesting on the web, so I hope you will continue.
28th August 2007 undomiciled sophist	um, what? - From: The White Hand of Saruman Dangger, wtf on earth are you going on about? how the hell does being gay, a gay journalist, a gay secularist or a non-gay non-secular journalist whatever the fuck have to do with ANYTHING expect your fragile ego? In any event, great fucking blog bedreddin, you are a lucky bastard to be in a position to do it, but i have a feeling you know that. keep pumpin it out.
22nd August 2007 alexandra	- From: A day in the life not that you wanted to hear from me, but i just needed to add that i have read some of your other blogs, and my recent rant was part necessity and part frustration, not simply from you, but from so many willing to cut things down to stereotypes, and rash conclusions. and after thinking that, i realized i was being a tad hypocritical. so in saying that, i hope your journey is going well and well, to each his own. hopefully youve still got the quite key travelers beard.
22nd August 2007 alexandra	reprioritize your values - From: A day in the life it was with great difficulty i read your blog. granted this was a couple of years ago, and you will most likely never lay eyes on my piece of mind, i still feel it necessary to shell out. before you visit a country again, check your history, your facts, check your surroundings and your attitude. in case youd never heard of the red terror which struck ethiopia less than 20 years ago, and starved millions, displaced more, then you would think the country had more than enough food. And to think that every child who says they dont have a father, daughter, sister, mother is simply a lying con artist, i worry for you. There are 5 million AIDS orphans living in Ethiopia, 1.2 million just in Addis. And that is merely AIDS orphans. The entire population of mothers and fathers are being wiped out by disease, starvation and poverty. That leaves grandparents and children. Grandparents, who are too old to work, sending the kids to work, resulting in a child without an education, growing up on the streets, and what job is there without education, without a learned trade? and before judging by the world relief boxes you see shipped in, think about practicals. Just this year, anti-retroviral drugs are being shipped to Ethiopia to help those already infected with AIDS, just this year. Now, there are many, many men, women and children in Ethiopia who are thriving, getting an education and working to change the "beggar" aspect you so detest. But what I find amusing to the point of disgust, is how easily you dismiss a child, a child who no doubt is at the world's mercy, victims only of the environment we create for them. I am a 19 year old who has lived in Ethiopia, not just a jaunt to see the sights, but consumed the people. I have never met friendlier, warmer or a more hospitable group of people. Most I have met have very little to give, but will gladly give whatever they have. did you even learn to eat with your right hand only or look painfully white while trying to copy their intricate and beautiful dance moves? Did you treat the elders with respect as one should, perhaps play soccer with the street kids, let a child cornrow your hair, or learn the very detailed process of making injera? Something tells me you spent your nights trying to hook up with girls and days avoiding the locals. your fear of others is obvious and you, as you seem through this entry, are void of what man needs most. Perhaps one day you will find what I am talking about. Please do not stop traveling, because the world is not done with you. When you have had that moment of realization, when you have let the world and the plight of others consume you to a point of no return, please contact me. For then, and only then will you have slightly fullfilled a journey worth blogging.
19th July 2007 Yilmaz	Greco Armenian hostility - From: No Greeks here... Bedrettin, my friend, you have opened Pandora's box here. Our Greek and Armenian adversaries are itching to take their revenge. No wonder, they have been brainwashed in their churches at Sunday schools for nearly 80 years. It is time they accept they are not the "chosen people". They do not have a special place in the world. They, like us, have to suffer once in a while and shut up. There comes a time in history when strong displaces weak. Yanks displaced Indians in North America, Spanish displaced Aztecs in Mexico, Spanish and Portugese displaced Incas and other natives in South America, Spaniards displaced Moors in Iberia, British displaced Aboriginies in Australia and Maoris in New Zealand. The list goes on and on............. As the saying goes: "mal sahibi, mulk sahibi.... nerede bunun ilk sahibi?" In the end, Turks displaced Greeks in Anatolia. There is nothing strange about that. Are Yanks, British, Spanish, Portugese going to leave the lands they conquered from natives? .. Definitely not... Same with us. So my suggestion to our Greco Armenian opponents: Chill out and forget living in the past... look at the future.. Yilmaz
6th July 2007 XXXX	XXXXXX - From: Eastern Express "that man" whom you refer to is one of the most successfull military strategists of all time. He is a man who created a truly "workable" model of the Islamic state. It is his achievement (with the help of the masses) that has shaped you into who you are today buddy!! So he should be present in every corner of the nation, for without him it would not exist, nor would the freedom to practice Islam on the soil that comprises modern day Turkey.....a paradox that most seemingly enlightened individuals fail to acknowledge.......no amount of respect would be enough!
3rd July 2007 Sue Messinger	good to hear your thoughts! - From: The White Hand of Saruman Hi Ozgur, I don't personally know you but we have a common friend. I was reading parts of your diary and also your replies to the various comments left about your diary, and for some reason I can't get the idea out of my head that I'm hearing our friend speaking through you at times. I would know, because I have spent many late hours staying up and conversing with him. I know he has a habit of getting into your head, and sometimes even confuses your mind a tad bit. Anyways, I just wanted to give you a shot out, and was curious about whether my theory that our common friend helped you write part of this was true. I'll ask him when I meet him tonight. By the way, I've been talking about him all this time without even mentioning his name. His name is Jack, although his good friends call him John. His last name is Daniels. Thank you very much for your time.
Ozgur Can Leonard 3rd July 2007 bedreddin	to Doug - From: The White Hand of Saruman You rock. This comment had me laughing out loud! ;) BTW, can we please post these religion/secularism related comments on the "Eastern Express" blog (where they belong)? This blog is supposed to be for me to brag about how well I deal with bureaucracy. BTW, to the secularists: there was a suicide attack on some spanish tourists in Yemen yesterday... this is what happens when you take away the peaceful options, and the democratic path to freedom.. you get blind rage and violence. But then... I know no-one will wise up and they'll just say "They Hate Our Freedoms!"
3rd July 2007 Doug Dangger	Your fun is over - From: The White Hand of Saruman As a gay man and a gay journalist I find it highly doubtful that an individual who does not even know how to spell 'bedridden' can have anything enlightening to communicate to the civilized world. Plus if he really is 'bedridden' (not bedreddin, thank you kindly) how is he able to travel to Sudan, Ethiopia, Palestine, Armenia, and all these other exotic places? I could almost believe him until I came to the part where he mentions his trip to Georgia. My friend, Georgia is one of the 50 states of this great nation, not a sovereign country of its own. That's point numero uno. Second point; you can take that "erti, ori" and whatever other crap you made up and stick it up your 12 year-old, bedridden ass. It might not seem obvious to some at first - because of the way those dumb bimbos at the airport talk- but they do speak ENGLISH in Georgia, not some fairy tale language called Georgian. That's right, my man, E-N-G-L-I-S-H. Now, descending back down to Planet Earth from our little trip to LA-LA LAND, I have this to say to all of you: leave this 12 year-old son of a bee-sting to cook in the hot place, and return to normalcy in your lives. He's been getting all of you worked up about religion, and history, and the injustice in the world, meanwhile he has another open window of his browser with the URL set to www.GAY.com and if you were in the room with him, all you would see would be his right hand going up and down, up and down. For any of you who don't like my tone with this kid, or my choice of words, I can only say this to you; try to resist the temptation to be homophobic. I'm a gay man and a gay journalist, and I say it as it is. As for you bedridden punk, I heard there's a new Harry Potter movie coming out, so lift your pants up from around your ankles and get to it.
2nd July 2007 bedridden	Fesupanallah - From: The White Hand of Saruman What an exciting discussion! Why is it that all secularists sound like each other and don't have any original ideas? Also, why do they preach from a pedestal when their only philosophy in life is to imitate Westerners and have no self-respect? I highly recommend using the brain God (in his mercy) has given you, instead of purchasing all your ideas wholesale from one man (I think it is understood who) that is no longer living and probably wished for something more than a country full of people with their knuckles pathetically dragging on the ground, however pleasant their clean-shaved faces or their bare heads may look. Imagine the future of a 6 year-old schoolboy who is embarrassed of his nationality and apologetically lets everyone in school order him around and takes pride in serving them. Not so pretty. Put up at least some resistance before comfortably settling down to shine my boots. And I want them extra shiny today.
1st July 2007 assa	discussion is a bit off, but my 2 cents - From: The White Hand of Saruman The fundamentalists or islamists have the nice way of representing themselves repressed by the secularists. I wished that you had the chance to have a closer look to them and what they'd do when they have the means. I know of a big company in Istanbul which required all of its male employes to have a mustage, to go to a mosque on Fridays, fest in Ramazan - they will basically leave no time for lunch, automatically cut a part of your sallary to get subscribed to an islamic newspaper, periodically give you Quran interpretations and other Islamic publications, gather money from the employees for sacrifices in Kurban Bayrami with no opt out. Same goes for peers in school: few class mates of mine were not looking/talking at girls at all in school or shaking their hands when they saw them somewhere. I was very understanding to religious females until they started inviting me to readings of Quran (maybe I should have held sessions to secularize them). Unfortunatly when you are not in touch with the culture, it's very easy to accept what's projected: secularists do not have an understanding for the poor religious people -- who only want to wear something different. Do not forget that those secularists are also 100% muslims (I have not seen a godless or ateist person in Turkey, everybody is born with it, it's in the culture). For the understanding: I have not seen a religious family daughter unveil themselves (they'd probably will be expelled), but I have seen lots of religious girls surpassing their families' religion level. And have seen many girls in their 12s with "bas ortusu". Did they have a choice or the brains to do that? Also have seen lot's of girls denied the right to enter the exams and attend university and being wed right after highschool by their families. That's why I'd say tsk tsk when I see a female with a charsaf, because that represents a person who did not have the chance to not wear it or this person did not have the chance choosing for themselves, go to university, get a profession or other. Carshaf is nothing else but the Islamic way of "binding feet". It's very good that you see many countries, but maybe you should spend some time in the varos'es (not Bagdat caddesi) of country which you sometime (when it's good for you) your choose to identify yourself with.
28th June 2007 abla	adam? - From: Eastern Express adam adam olmusmu?
Ozgur Can Leonard 28th June 2007 bedreddin	to: secularist ceylan - From: The White Hand of Saruman All I'm saying is that the "secular"s need to learn to be tolerant of other peoples' views. The "fundamentalists" (contrary to popular belief) actually are more tolerant than the "progressive"s. It's the "progressives" who are telling people what they can and can't wear... and, we both know that an "okuz" is not the same as a fundamentalist. In fact, a fundamentalist wouldn't say "gotunu sikiim anam"... although maybe he'd say "tsk tsk tsk"... but then, YOU would say "tsk tsk tsk" if you saw someone in a yemeni-style "charshaf". So... lets all try to be more understanding of others. And, paranthetically, I AM NOT A PRETTY BOY! ;)
27th June 2007 ceylan	- From: The White Hand of Saruman You may as well try to be a little more sympathetic to the secularists ozgur can, considering you would be one of the first people kicked out of the country if the religious fundamentalists got their way. Remember the muslims are the capitalists now, they are the ones backing all this privatization shit and selling off infrastructure to foreign countries. And as a woman it is fucking unbearable to have to deal with all this sexual repression and tsk tsk tsk and "gotunu sikiiim anam" from the sex-crazedness that comes with islam. You even get it being a pretty boy. Its like all this haram stuff makes the whole male (and female) population completely pornographically minded every moment of the day. Maybe if they saw a few more mini skirts they would get used to it and not act like pigs.
Ozgur Can Leonard 26th June 2007 bedreddin	fanatical islam? - From: Eastern Express My understanding of history is that the Ottomans weren't really that fanatically muslim. I think fanatical Islam is a latter-day phenomenon, and born out of weakness and frustration (so it didn't exist back in a day when the Muslims didn't feel like religion is their only refuge). But hero worship has always been popular in Anatolia... The Romans and Greeks were into that sh*t too... Apotheosis and all..
24th June 2007 xxx	- From: Eastern Express Hey, you got a haircut! Interesting stuff, I did read once (personally have no idea) that the Turks simply replaced fanatical islamism with fanatical secularism, and that there's really not much difference between them.....even the figure of Attaturk, open to no criticism, kind of replaced the figure of the prophet.....I don't know, could be bullshit, what do you think?
Jeremy 24th June 2007 Jezz in NZ	Keep writing - From: Eastern Express Very interesting stuff - I enjoyed reading it. Good luck on your travels.
Claudio e Fernando 18th June 2007 2Brothers3Continents	Cool story - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti Djibouty is a true adventure. You managed to put very well the feeling of being there. I spend only four days there, too. The prices of everything just kills! Safe trip!!
13th June 2007 assa	buy a disposable camera - From: Local in Sakartvelos as a person born in a eastern block country i know that these countries have a hard coded notion of normality (e.g. facial hair and long hair are still no-no's for my father) Looking normal is good for you. where next? i personally would recommend romania and bulgaria, but the set on east is also good: the whole former russian turkik language speaking *istan countries + few others border regions of russia such as tuva. disposable or better: buy a used film camera, shoot film, get it developed only, you can print or digitize it later.
31st May 2007 R	Churches in Yerevan - From: The Republic of Yerevan You should know that the Soviets demolished many churches during Communist times.
Susan Ritzén 19th May 2007 susantravels	For the next minutes of fame - From: The Republic of Yerevan Your hunch was right, Ozgur, the general rule is never to look into the camera, always on the reporter. Unless your a king or a president of course, talking to the people. Then again, most rules are obviously there to be broken, and I bet you looked gorgeous on armenian television anyway.;-) Looking forward to your next minutes of fame. And, for whatever its worth - swedes do believe there was a totally insane and fully unjust turkish massacre of a large part of the armenian people. There is no room for a second opinion about that overhere, but of course, plenty of excuses for our own wrongdoings in the past. Good to have you back! If I wasnt doing very unchallenging travelguides in western Europe right now, I would write in my own blog. Hoping for more inspiring adventures to come. Maybe more like yours. /susan
15th May 2007 Louis	- From: Syria, East vs West Fantastic photos!
14th May 2007 Farfetched	just got back - From: Down and out in France and Spain I'm 65 had some bad health sproutung so I put a tag on a travel blog to see if I could get info or another old person to go with me but alas the young cared not to share with me , so I set out alone for the month of M arch and traveled through France useing mainly train but some bus , feet, and thumb I was amazed at this country being so small and yet overflowing the brim with manna , I am now thinking of going back and takeing it slow maybe the Camino. you cleared something up for me though when you travel as a bum (Pilgram) you have to accept you will be treated accordingly,thanks I enjoyed your writteing.
8th May 2007 bothaina	- From: The Republic of Yerevan I really regret that, too... Without any hair you said?! Hmmmm - sounds appealing ;) But good that (at least!) you are still writing
3rd May 2007 izzet	artiz - From: The Republic of Yerevan Hadi bakal1m unlu de oldun. artik bi belgesel falan cekersin...
Ozgur Can Leonard 2nd May 2007 bedreddin	random int? - From: Down and out in France and Spain someone who knows that "int" is mnemonic for "interrupt" in x86 assembly?? tell me more... not done traveling yet. working on a new blog. i hope i'll be heading towards the "far east" very soon...
1st May 2007 fear-beag	your hair - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Regarding the hostile reception you got, I honestly think it was your hair that done it - they probably never saw anyone quite like you waling their streets, and just didn't know what to make of you....
30th April 2007 random int	what's next? - From: Down and out in France and Spain I'll be disapponing if you just stop. You did not even touch Eastern Europe, which would be lot's of fun - I am sure, or Far East. India could be fun too. Looking forward for your next blog. Good luck!
24th April 2007 sen beni biliyorsun...	sen beni biliyorsun... - From: Down and out in France and Spain yaninda olmaliydim...
24th April 2007 sen beni biliyorsun...	sen beni biliyorsun.. - From: More on Bazou yaninda olmaliydim...
15th April 2007 evet	- From: Down and out in France and Spain i've also had that experience. with the sunset and the stranger... isn't that the essence of being? when you don't wear your masks for a moment and you are connected through the stillness? i like the way you write and hope to see you soon with your new experience.
28th March 2007 Byard	interesting blog - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Just wanted to say I enjoyed your postings and I think you've chosen a pretty neat and unique travel route =)
13th March 2007 bazou	merhaba sahip:) - From: More on Bazou bunu okuyunca sas1racaks1n biliyorum..bana karsi vefan1 bu sayfalardan göstermissin(gerci beni yanina alabilirdin ama havaalanin bi kösesinde biraktin..öyle yalniz basima )..resmimin ve bahsimingectigi bu blogda sözüm olsun istedim..seni unutmadim sahip,simdi beni soracak olursan genc bir bayanin elindeyim,gayet mutluyum :P
12th March 2007 Al Ajnabijah	- From: Down and out in France and Spain Nice to see you that you fell in love again - with a bike ... :) Love to read your blog! Will you once publish parts of your diary,too..? Hug
10th March 2007 anonymous	sex appeal bedreddin in france:) - From: More on Bazou blogu takip edenler böyle resimler görmedi..sas1rtt1n bizleri..össgür degistirmis avrupa seni..ama turuncu duvarlar,kirmizi koltuk iyi bir kompozisyon olmuss..hele o diz:)))
Ozgur Can Leonard 7th March 2007 bedreddin	Yemen to Turkey - From: Down and out in France and Spain I suppose I could write about it, but it's been a year already... and I'd probably say little more than "lived like a complete bum on the beaches of Oman, spent maybe 6 dollars a day, then was amazed at how modern and secular Iran is (it really is.. a couple young teenage girls chatted me up in the park, and I kept looking around for the /komita/ to come and arrest me for being long-haired), I was aghast at the pink and yellow mosques in Turkey". If anyone is willing to pay me lots and lots of money I could write blogs ;)
Irish Traveller 7th March 2007 ConMel	- From: Down and out in France and Spain Does this mean you won't be writing about the trip from Yemen to Istanbul (visa Oman, UAE, Iran)? I'd love to hear about that trip......
7th March 2007 Eritrean in Exile	Post more pics - From: MIA in Yemen I have enjoyed reading your travel journal. I mostly enjoyed reading about Asmara, my former home. It is truly a diamond in the rough. Thank you for your honesty as you discribed your experience.
6th March 2007 D	another failed relationship - From: More on Bazou The Universe sana arkadan veriyor allahin cezasi igrenc homo. This is what happens when you lose your backbone. If I find out you've been eating tofu I will kill you POS.
3rd March 2007 Lebanese	- From: Sabra & Shatila Just wanted to highlight a point. If it wasnt for the Kateab and Lebanese Forces no Christians would have remained in lebanon. We as Christians owe it all to them and to their brave leaders for saving lebanon from its Arab neighbours. Long live the Lebanese Forces +/
26th February 2007 anonymous	Dharma Bum - From: Down and out in France and Spain I was thinking of you when I read that book by Jack Kerouac; especially regarding the bums and respectability. Pretty cool... just don't get sucked into Zen Buddhism crap. Also don't forget that half the monkeys who sit behind cubicles don't have half the respectability that they like to pretend they do. What's respected are the nice clothes and projected illusion of money. Ye kurkum ye! Heck, when I go traveling personally unshaven and ragged parents hide their children from me... but then I'm browner than you and hence I must be a terrorist... because we all know that brown people have those tendencies. I'm sure it's got nothing to do with the fact that I don't own a toothbrush, eat my own dandruff and don't let my scabs heal.
26th February 2007 anonymous	- From: Down and out in France and Spain It doesn't seem fair to desdain anything that doesn't fit your needs or your way of doing things. Good luck on the rest of your travel.
Marco Daprile 25th February 2007 Marcoelitaliano	Welcome back! - From: Down and out in France and Spain Good to read something from you after so long. I totally disagree on your opinion about Spain but I still love your writing. No, that's actually incorrect. What I truly like is maybe not your writing but rather your way of travelling. Marco
23rd February 2007 Koen - Holland	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Very nice blog, keep it up! The bit with the Yemeni customs was funny... Oh no! Not knives! Not in Yemen, the country with more guns than people!
Ozgur Can Leonard 19th February 2007 bedreddin	re:eritrean visa - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti nothing special. they had certain days in which you could apply, but no other constraints. but that was before april 2006
19th February 2007 Nath	Eritrean visa - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti did you have anything set up to get an Eritrean visa before you applied in Djibouti? I was there in April 2006 and was unable to get one from Djibouti unless i was a resident in Djibouti. The express option was also closed.
Chris Wastian 15th February 2007 ethnochris	well done - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Very interesting! I would like to see the "entery"-stamp of Somaliland!!!Greetings from Austria
11th February 2007 old	hey - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home where the hell are you? lütfen ses ver! umar?m keyfin yerindedir.
10th February 2007 Lucy Chatters	hi - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti hi, I've read most of your blog and it's interesting. i went to djibouti alone for 2 weeks this yr backpacking. it is, as you say, incredibly beautiful and almost uninhabitable at 50 degrees! they're the friendliest people i've ever met though - i stayed with locals every night as they seemed so concerned about me being a lone female traveller! Best, Lucy
29th January 2007 Habestan	Ne diyorsun abe? - From: A day in the life Ne diyorsun Turk Effendi? Habestanlar is (ish - work) sevmiyor? Ne demek ya? Musliman habestan daha polite diyorsun? Ne demek. Cok yazk....
11th January 2007 raffy	berbera - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place in 1960 I was in berbera and from the pictures not much has changed it is a dangerous place more so being a white south african with an israeli stamp in my passport but travel along the east african coast was a great adventure and I recomend it to anyone with the cajones to try it
9th January 2007 J	Great Blog - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I enjoyed your blog very much. My experience in Berbera and Hergeysa was in late 1985 as a member of a small task force of infantry soldiers. Why we were there and what we accomplished remains a mystery to me. Perhaps our unwelcome presence is why you received those hostile stares. What I saw was a stoic people, surviving despite years of colonialism, cold war theatrics, war and civil war. I think your writing is open and honest, keep it up.
24th December 2006 The spy	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home I do hope you are well and that you haven't returned to the cubicle - best wishes and safe travels.
2nd December 2006 zeinab	tanx - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place hi I am a girl from Iran i use from ur blog it was very exellent bye
25th November 2006 xxx	my favourite... - From: Onwards and Up the Nile just been reading through all your old blogs again, this one is absolutely my favourite...thanks!
31st October 2006 nebahat	gez gez.. - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Selamlar...Yazmani bekliyoruz.
29th October 2006 anonymous	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home my hair is not thinning
28th October 2006 M	Great blog - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place First of all thank you for taking the time and visit Somaliland. Somalia is dangerous place, that's why the North decided to breakaway. Your blog was interesting and 100% true. I'm an African living in the U.S. People look at you different if one is a foreigner, that is everywhere in this World. Your journey on the Horn of Africa was brave. Hopefully the so-called warlords put the guns down and realize that their fuckin killing themselves. I salute you for this great writing...ONE LOVE
21st October 2006 Reader	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Dude, the only good blog I have read for ages.
Ozgur Can Leonard 9th October 2006 bedreddin	in france - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home i know... shameful. i'm cycling around in france.
1st October 2006 Patricia from SLO	Where are you? - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Miss new blogs! Check in periodically hoping to get news...nothing yet! Where have you been? Are you back in Istanbul?
13th September 2006 Mariam	Thanks for writing - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I really enjoyed reading your blog. You write beautifully.
12th September 2006 rolfen	---- - From: MIA in Yemen Haha, still chewing qat.... I WARNED you in my last comment/mail/whatever rotfl Anyway have a nice time chewing, who knows maybe ill join you some day. oh youre gone? well then i may follow your footsteps... well for the moment i'm more the type to smoke qat in amsterdam, different experience... but oh mush more expensive... god
7th September 2006 Emilyk	World to Bedreddin: Hello Bedreddin! - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home So where are you, what's new? I see you logged in on 29 August and as I've just signed up for Arabic classes at the Centre culturel arabe syrien in Paris in preparation for my next year's trip to Syria I am curious to know where you are with your language studies...and chukran leek for your fabulous postings.
13th August 2006 Lebanese_arab	LEBANON IS ARAB - From: Sabra & Shatila i wanna comment on Jazzar and Michael Farrah...ya sharameet...you are traitors....all Lebanese Forces and Kataeb Party members are traitors...they are shitty people,you collaborated with Israel against not only the Palestinians but the Lebanese also.Also trust me if the Palestinians had weapons during the massacre of Sabra and Shateela,nobody will dare to enter the camp,because lets admit it,Palestinians in Lebanon wer superb fighters,they would have fucked Kataeb and Lebanese Forces (they would have the big SHARMOOT Elie Hubiqa)...any way Elie Hubiqa,Basheer Jmael are all in hell,they are rotting there,those wer the biggest traitors.FUCK THEM.Also lebanon is arab 100%,so you people what language are you speaking?you BASTARDS....Also Palestinians didnt start the civil war in Lebanon k...its you people who started it,ISRAEL promised the Christians in Lebanon a state and they told them Palestinians are evil,then the christians in lebanon believed that the a christian lebanese is the pure lebanese,by the way FUCKU,,the main reason for the civil war is ISRAEL,and israel should be destroyed becoz its not a country.Its called Palestine....iam lebanese from Saida and iam proud of this land,also i would happy if the Kataeb and lebanese forces to be FUCKED.Lebanese Forces and Kataeb are the biggest SHARAMEET.
30th July 2006 Mads	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Hi. I was chuckling all through reading your blogs. Fantastically written. I am an Indian. Would love it if you could travel through India and write about your impressions, good, bad, ugly, everything.
30th July 2006 Jeff	the ability to walk away - From: A day in the life compassion, regardless of your feelings that those you see suffering deserve it, is lacking in men's hearts today....we have seperated ourselves so, that the plights of others have no impact on our own well-being.....to see the poverty of a nation and see no more than an unmotivated beggar in their want for bread. - Jeff The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other. It is not, as poverty was before, the result of natural scarcity, but of a set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich. Consequently, the modern poor are not pitied...but written off as trash. The twentieth-century consumer economy has produced the first culture for which a beggar is a reminder of nothing. ~John Berger
27th July 2006 Drake	Good Times at Hisar - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Yo, sorry I didn't say goodbye in Istanbul. Hope you're taking it easy for all us sinners and having lots of cheap drinks at Hisar!
23rd July 2006 KHaas	Gettin' Jiggy - From: Yellow Men in Israel and the West Bank Nicely written. Your piece transported me to my last visit in Hebron ('97) where it was Isralis soldiers on patrol, settlers creating consternation, and Palestian taxi drivers blasting Will Smith's "Gettin Jiggy With It" in earshot of the spice racks of the Souk. I'll never forget it... and I'll never forget the feeling that maybe in the music (?) there was some strange global unity. Amongst the kids (on both sides) anyway...... Thanks for the article. Keep writing.
17th July 2006 Sarah	Nice one - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Best blog I've ever read. I'm in Doha at the moment, got a bit stuck. They wouldn't give me an exit permit after saying their anti Danish cartoon stickers were not going to make me commit suicide for their cause. Now I'm teaching Technical English to Aviation and Engineering students from Qatar, Iraq and Lebanon (how I ended up doing that I don't know). Planning to leave this building site for good in Feb and travel around Africa, that's how I came across your site - I was checking about the possibility of getting a ferry from Yemen to Djibouti to start the trip. Where are you now?
11th July 2006 king for a day	is it over - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home great journey, but it feels like you are about to wake up.
9th July 2006 Darrell	Tesekkurler, arkadasim! - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti I can't imagine how rough it is, and I find myself speaking Turkish occasionally when the Arabic starts off... why couldn't you buy anything? You should have went to the casino! :)
6th July 2006 Syrian at large	The tower tombs - From: Leaving the SAR Hi, I am a Syrian and I have got news for you. I worked on an archeological expidition at that same tower in the picture years ago, and it belongs to the Palmyrian Family Attanatan. Awesome picture dude. Cheers :)
22nd June 2006 Muna UK	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I think you should of approached Somaliland, or Somali’s with an open mind, you should of researched into their history and culture before or even during your stay (access to internet is very easy there). Your experience I must say is disappointing, but very rare. Why were u given hostile stares, rather bizarre. It’s actually very shameful in Somali culture to be inhospitable; one of the greatest traits of Somali’s is their hospitability. There has been an increased Islamisation in Somalia as whole post-war. The green paste exfoliates the skin, it has minerals. One must remember Somaliland once a thriving city was left without a single roof on the houses during the war…its recovery compared to the previous destruction is remarkable given the time. By the way, how long were you in Somaliland? you should of really mixed with some of the educated classes, to have a proper dialogue and insight into the people. Its not really a place for tourist at the moment… may be with the recovery of the central govt…possibly soon, can Somaliland become a place for reckoning, and Somalia as a whole. PS the Turks are very mixed people, there are Turks with blue eyes, green eyes, naturally blonde, light skinned, darker skinned… the stereotype that a Turk is dark and looks a bit like a belly dancer is wrong...u just need to go to Turkey to see that. “I think it’s telling that Turkey is the other muslim country I’m aware of that is also pretty intolerant of other religions”... Turkey is a secular state, where Islam is not the state religion. Throughout Turkish history, they have been a very pluralistic tolerant society, with their personal law systems e.g. a Jewish persons laws/religion were recognised and accepted (in addition the Turks protected Jews during the WW2). Turkey according to its history is possibly one of the most tolerant states ever, when it came to other people’s religion, the position was “there is no compulsion in religion” surah 2 verse 256 of the Holy Quran. Apart from one dark chapter- Armenia…by the way, the history here is fuzzy and clouded in controversy. It’s possibly also in Turkeys interest not to join bureaucratic Europe at a time of good economic growth. Ps... blogger u seemed p****, if ur up for the challenge..may be in the future, u should reassess ur view of Somaliland and their ppl
22nd June 2006 Zach	Very Cool - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Very Cool. Zach, Vancouver, Canada
13th June 2006 me	about me - From: Commemorating the fallen :O ben bile bilmiodum trojan horseun turkiyede oldugunu cus yani hic gercegede benzemio camlari kapilari olmasi gerekmiomu bu atin ?
10th June 2006 stone	- From: The Fastest Way to Receive Money this narration rouses a great pity for his author ! He is pitting on everyone, and his gobs are the exact reflected image of what he really is : somebody without a personality, moving in an ocean of emptiness, with some taste for masochism... For instance, what that idiot had to stay and to do with French people if he could not back up them ? Pityfull...
31st May 2006 Nawar Majbour	welcom - From: In Defence of the Veil If you came to latakia you would to enjoy very much i advice every on to visit my great city welcom to Syria welcom to Latakia your brother Nawar
22nd May 2006 Ahmed Trabulsi	are u sure ur in lebanon - From: Tripoli, Hiking, Partying and Baalbeck woooww this is sooo biased , sorry but r u a muslim extremist or something?? i have lived in lebanon all my life , i am a muslim ,, aftr reading all ur posts on lebanon i just cant believe what u r saying,,1st ur comments about people with tattoos of crosses on thr foreheads, these r not tattoos my friend , ths is a maronite christian tradition wer wen a very important person dies or on the monday after easter after the funeral or prayers black paste is put on the fore head , (from dust ur r made and to dust u shall return), come on man this is a terrible mistake!! and u seem to judge all the lebanese from a couple of extremists you met in bcharre!! thn u go make the palestinians look soo innocent!!! as a muslim i feel for the palestinians but i also understand y the christians dont like thm,, the palestinians slaughtered soo many christians u cant even count them ,after the lebanese goverment accepted the palestinians into their land , thy turned against us and totally messed ur country up!!!
13th May 2006 marlowe	A swift kick in the rear end for you - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Turkey/mogadishu man/Jesus/ whatever they're calling you these days, I believe you left behind a certain Pakistani flag on a flagpole where it had no business being hoisted. The authorities are still looking for you so they can return it. Quite a surprise stumbling on your blog. Anyway, glad to see you're living your dream while you can. Don't get killed and don't let them send you to gitmo. They just might mistake you for the next John Walker Lindh. Give me a holler sometime you hacker!
9th May 2006 ed	stupidity? - From: Of Lorries and Rebels there is a big difference between stupidity and ignorance... you only have to look at a whole swathe of middle america to see a race suspicious of books... as Bill Hicks recounted... "hey whattya got there... a book? Why you readin' that? Oh Oh... we got a reader here...."
9th May 2006 Ed	Ooh too much for the white man - From: The Fastest Way to Receive Money Your supercilious attitude, blogged with a self importance only a pitifully immature and dispassionate a person could have, makes me wonder why you bothered making the journey at all... travellers such as yourself give westerners a bad name .... but hey your blog is compulsive reading all the same, if only to give oneself more reasons to dislike you and your French friends. Just wished you appreciated the life you live a little bit more... not many people get the chance to experience what you have of the world. Just give up about the begging lark FFS!!!
8th May 2006 Katrina	'curly-bearded religious fanatics' - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home ah..so..endearing... Beautifully written, Can.
7th May 2006 cowgirl	good article - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Never been to Somalia, but your description and story kept me reading. Good photos and descriptive text. Perception on political realm seems 'right on,' for unfortunately U.S. has earned the name "ugly American."
2nd May 2006 me	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home is it you - "mogadishu man"????
30th April 2006 Zavier	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home I am not sure about the no longer desperate part!
29th April 2006 brian	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Just came across your blog, it's great. I've only read the past few blogs but your writing style is fantastic, as well as your stories...maybe one day I'll leave everything behind and travel
27th April 2006 me again	"i am human" - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home What is the black shadow on the right side of the"manhattan of the desert" pic ?? :)
25th April 2006 me	desperate? - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home What did you refer to when saying "desperate"? I really enjoyed your blog (had to grin broadely!)! Good to hear from the pashtun warrior again :) By the way - What about your pashtun warrior's sword (stick) ??
25th April 2006 Devrim	Bakalakadaka Street! - From: MIA in Yemen Dirk, bakalak, Mohammad Jihad, a sherpa sherpa sherpa
Ian Turnbull 24th April 2006 Unemployed Ian	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Late arrival to your blog, but enjoying it hugely.
24th April 2006 devrim	qat chewing pos - From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home Surprised you didn't mention your near abduction... I guess it's quite difficult to compress 6 months of undescribable experiences with archair warriors who cannot appreciate half of what you describe and are looking for the two second version. I'm really glad I got to come and see you though; Yemen is awesome and I also hope to come back one day. Hope you don't miss chewing qat too much you POS.
24th April 2006 Devrim	Janvier's Hass - From: The State of Eritrea When you guys told me his story about the 10 hour jeep ride in his own shit in Pakistan I almost lost it... haha, good memories. :)
Irish Traveller 23rd April 2006 ConMel	- From: Bringing the 'War on Terror' home good to have you back writing, Yemen looks cool.
10th April 2006 Mengdi Deng Sheng	Love one another - From: Sabra & Shatila I do not understand; what is the problem or the difference between christians and muslims, since you are all arab, palestinians and lebanese. We in China, consider all Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao and Tibet as part of China we respect everyone religion - we do not say China is for Chinese - it will never happen - what we say is China is for everyone - I think you should learn from us. According to your population census, currently the majority is muslims and the rule of thumb the projected 10 - 20 - 30 - 40 - 50 years the christian population is going to shrink - if you are having a problem now what will happen in the future? Look at your neighbor Israel - they do not say Israel for Israelis - but they welcome russians, brazilians, argentinian, romanian, turkish, ethiopians - they are not saying that they are better than others. In my opinion live together love one another, you are a small country and not a strong country.
9th April 2006 David Dylan	Turkish impersonating to be a european - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I have a tough time understanding Turkish people. They have changed their language, alphabets and even clothing to make themselves look European, but they are not. I despise the Turkish men whispering 'sex arkadash' and 'Natasha' the sex slaves. Thank god Turkey will not be admitted into EU.
7th April 2006 jazzar	they diserve - From: Sabra & Shatila i am an a lebanese forces member and i made the massacre their.i was the leader of the troop i killed 10 childrens and a lot of armed adults because they killed my child in damour by cuting his hands i asked the israeli helps and they didnt refuse so the israeli was outside and we with amal and some of syria allies entered the camp and we left when we killed everybody and we are obliged to do it again we will do it because the palestinian maked the civil war starting from ain el remmaneh
6th April 2006 ozlem	- From: MIA in Yemen Nerdesin Leo?
6th April 2006 m	shukran jazilan! - From: MIA in Yemen thanks a lot for your blog from a bosnian and her husband currently in istanbul. i only wish there were more people like you. Please do not omit the political comments, we need it to counterweigh all the insipid and cowardly garbage that dominates the media. it's a relief to read notes from a "leftist" turk who does not hate the arabs!
3rd April 2006 none	happy 28th - From: MIA in Yemen Happy 28th Birthday!
27th March 2006 anonymous	Ignorance - From: A day in the life Thank you whoever wrote the comment before me. How can anyone generalise a whole country? I was quite enjoying the report until this idiot, i am really sorry but you must be very ignorant, writes that Ethiopians are spoon fed. Let me tell you something maybe you don't like the fact that Ethiopia was never a colony and doesn't see the white man as god and says yes and amen to everything. Maybe you and your friends or whoever they are just expected to be spoon fed. i guess you just thought these stupid poor starving Africans will do whatever you desire. Think again!!!
8th March 2006 Aisha	are you alive? - From: MIA in Yemen woow long time no update..some of us are beginning to wonder if your alive? some of us also want to hear about your adventures..hence...UPDATE!!
6th March 2006 Jeniffer	Simslots - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land A great site where one can enjoy the thought of a great mind long departed. Cheers for the good work!
5th March 2006 Baybora	AVA - From: MIA in Yemen
2nd March 2006 Me	- From: MIA in Yemen i wanna read more, canim..
Charles Roffey 27th February 2006 charlesfred	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I don't know what you must have been doing to receive hostile stares. I was in the country in November and got mostly smiles and welcomes. I felt perfectly safe and very much at home here, amongst a fine and proud people. Maybe it just wasn't your kind of place. Who knows?
Ozgur Can Leonard 26th February 2006 bedreddin	to Serb boy... - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place dude, grow up. To Somalilanders: I do not agree with this loser's statements or thoughts in any way... I realize his comments must be very insulting, but I'm leaving them there since he's basically proving my theory that racism is the trademark of the West, not the East...
24th February 2006 Stefan SERB	Ha ha - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I cannot believe you visited this shit hole, this is by far the worst country on the planet along with Afghanistan. God damn and I thought people believed Eastern Europe was rubbish, this is the most underdeveloped savage area that Earth has to offer, I would sooner die than travel there. For some photos of a truly beautiful European city visit: http://www.pbase.com/stefan_serb/belgrade_2005 FUCK ALL SOMALI SCUMBAGS FUCK OFF HOME YOU PIECE OF SHIT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!! LEAVE THE UK NOW!!
22nd February 2006 Melih	Good Luck - From: Pergamum I am reading your comments about my home town Bergama from Dubai. Please continue to travel and tell everbody how beatiful Bergama is, good luck
18th February 2006 Jack Highland	ignorant and boring article. - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Congratulations!! there is finnally someone who is talented enough to write in a ignorant and boring style. You have obviously not studied the country's history before you actually vistted it. There is a whole lot more to Somaliland than what you have stated. As a psychologist I am sensing acertain "ARROGANCE" and a certain factor of jealousy due to the fact that americans have lost their culture (not that they ever had culture since they are our cousins "THE BRITISH"). I have been to Somaliland 6 times in the past 4 years and the expiereince as a White British traveler i.e. pack packer always seem to amaze me. The coutry's efforts to surrvive without international regognition is pretty impresive. But your comments are more than right wing, it more like a racist (the most small minded people in this world), people like you the people who don't like to see development in the world. I'd like to ask you ask you why is it that you don't want any critical views about your blog? what makes think that the people have posted their their true thoughts about you blog? Any way just to confirm the it takes a real man to expiernce and live the somali why of life, just ask me. your manhood has been severly dameged in somaliland just because you are coward to start with ant you are probably one still. If somaliland wasn't safe why have I White Britsh mandecide to to build the house of my dreams in the Hagiesa the capital. Anyway i hope this sinks in I know it's a big chunk to swallow but it's only the honest truth. So best of luck in your next journey, make sure that you you don't commit any murders in TAXAS or you won'y live to tell the story. Peace!!!
14th February 2006 An Ethiopian	Stupidity - From: A day in the life I was amazed at your comment with regard to Ethiopians having an attitude and requiring spoon feeding. Walking through the countryside and seeing the poverty did not faze the utterly cold heart that both you and X have. On the contrary, Ethiopians are hard working when given the chance. Goes to show you the western preception? If it had been Ireland where you encountered this misery, you would be up in arms but for your black brothers no sense of pathos. To you I say, may you never find what you are looking for. May you never feel contentment. May you feel the sense of starvation on a full stomach. Ptuff(I am simulating spit to punctuate my curse.)
1st February 2006 erkan	Turkey belongs to Turks - From: No Greeks here... I think some people find really hard to realise that this country called Turkey and belongs to us for centuries and we will fight to keep it for centuries to come.Now, any minorities or any other nationalities who lives in this country are welcome to live with us under Turkish Flag as long as they respect and contribute to this country.So many example of good citizens from different background have no problems with us and they are quite happy to pronounce themselves as Turkish citizens.Like in many counries we have people who dont like our ways,this is ok.we believe in tolerance but there are some wants to stab us from our back,since the unfair treaty of sevres,to this days Iam afraid the only answer to this people and the ones who provokes them is you just wasting your time and my time of course,like i said TURKEY BELONGS TO TURKS understand....
22nd January 2006 Tammy	- From: MIA in Yemen I want to read more....
Matthew Phelps 19th January 2006 pecheur	good job! - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Of course the author ignorant of the local culture, what do people expect, he's NOT FROM THERE! How EXACTLY do you expect him do understand fully the local culture when this is the first time he has ever been there!?! You can't expect somone to be knowledgable of every single culture on this planet. But he is acutally making an effort by going to a place most westerners would never dream of visiting. I applaud your effort bedreddin.
18th January 2006 Tolerance	Goodwill - From: No Greeks here... I think that Turkey, if it wishes to join the European Union and be accepted as a Tolerant and responsible nation, schould show some real Goodwill to her Minorities and their culture. The Turkish state should attempt, in a real effort, to not carry out any more anti minority policies or tolerate anti minority actions. It is a fact that the area of Turkey has got a huge non Turkish history, and if the Republic of Turkey is to deserve to be the guardian of all their treasures, it should protect them and treat them well, and come forward and publicly regret and accept the wrongs that it commited in the past and try to make reperations, and stop these things from re-occuring. Actions such as turning churches into mosques is a real cultural insensibility and can be considered a provocation, and cannot be part of our modern world. Turkey tends to retain its 'token' remains of other cultures but lets the rest decay or be demolished, since the human representatives of these cultures were evicted, or worse, murdered, by the Turkish state. Turkey should show that it can do better.
29th December 2005 fenl	what happened to the far east? - From: MIA in Yemen i was expecting that you will pop up in china or somewhere in the far east. at least remember reading it somewhere. what made you change your mind?
Irish Traveller 28th December 2005 ConMel	Smoking Baby!!! - From: Sabra & Shatila Love that bit about the 2 year-old smoking baby, did you you see what brand they were??? And please, start writing again man, everyone's waiting......
22nd December 2005 katharina	salam aleiküm - From: MIA in Yemen You could write more about such a sacred place (although often void of form). Hope to read more soon!
13th December 2005 Miss.Marceu	Hi - From: MIA in Yemen Hi my dear old friend, My begining word were so cliché. Anyway, So I have read some bloggers site a few minutes ago and these remind me how is bedreddein. And I open google link and write these word "bedreddin leo... then your site came to my computer. Meanwhile thanks alot to all computer employee, and computer scientist as you are. It was wonderful to give a hi in a minute by only thouching a few keys Conclusion, I miss you a lot bedreddin I proud of you I think One day you will gain which you have spent these years one day peace came to in middle asia and to all world bye
13th December 2005 Nanne op 't Ende	Great laugh - From: Of Lorries and Rebels Hey there! That's a good story! I know the place pretty well (been there several times during the war) and it all sounds awfully familiar. But believe me: these guys are okay once there is some kind of trust. The Nuba really went through a very, very bad time and it will take a long time before things will become more or less normal again. Sorry for the stress though...
Ozgur Can Leonard 11th December 2005 bedreddin	To Giorgos, RE: "You Destroy My Country" - From: No Greeks here... Dear Giorgos. I will put your ignorance and chauvenism down to your youth, but I'll respond to some of your (rather naive) statements because I have nothing better to do at the moment. You talk about "Europe's Culture". What do you mean in particular? The expulsion of Jews from Europe? The Inquisition? The still-rampant racism (what do you mean by "Asian"? Is one side of the Bosphorous morally "better" than the other?). Centuries of colonization, rape, and suppression of 3rd-World countries? The ghetto-like conditions in which minorities and immigrants still live in? Maybe if you delve deeper you'll see that "Europe's Culture" isn't all that to be proud of, nor is "Asia" a Bad Word. "Cities Full of Crime and Misery" you say... What about New York? Isn't that full of crime? Or London or Paris? And your allegation that teachers "kill little children" is simply ludicrous. As for teacher hitting little children... that's a historical and integral part of European Culture. I'm not proud of what the State has done to the Armenians, Greeks, and Kurds. And I'm not defending the actions of the State. But please don't come at me with ignorant adolescent racism.
10th December 2005 Giorgos	You destroy my country - From: No Greeks here... I am a 17 years old cypriot. I accidentally find this page on google and i read your text. I agree with the other greek man. You are not a part of europe. Geographically turkey is located in asia and only a small part (which was greek) is located in asia. Your culture has nothing to do with the europe 's culture. You are an ASIAN country and you have to admit it. In 1974 you invade without reason in Cyprus and conquer the half of the island. You kill cypriots you make mother's to cry, you raped young girls, you caught young men and kill them. Is this European culture? You kill the Armenian people without mersy. Is this Eyropean culture? Your cities are full of crime and misery.. Is this European culture? Some days ago i see in tv techers from turkey to hit little children or even kill them. After all that why you want to become Europeans? You are not deserve it!!! My country and all Greek people suffer from Turkish people amd some day you are going to pay for all the pain you cause!!
9th December 2005 Stephen	Good to hear it. - From: MIA in Yemen Looking forward to your next instalment.
19th November 2005 Gama'diid	Thanks for the article. - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place It was great and funny. Keep up the good work. And lastly, don't worry about the critics :) PS: You shouldn't assume the Somali readers of your blog are unable to understand the english. May be some of them were bothered by some comments you made which they took personal. I liked everything you wrote and laughed at some of your comments about us Somalis. Anyway, I would rate your efforts an "A" Plus.
18th November 2005 Qoxooti	No pictures of the cities? - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti How come you took pictures of only villages? Or is that all you wanted to show?
18th November 2005 CrazySommies	Ridicilous Comments - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I think Somaliland dispointed him cos it was not all the danger he was hoping for. I did not like the comments he made of Berbera such as: "The houses have a distinctly Arab look-and-feel to them, but I get the impression that the locals weren't the ones who built them." Did u expected some old African huts to still stand in Berbera?
17th November 2005 One Somalilander	Pretty interesting ! - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Yeah mate , in all honesty I believe you have depicted a pretty acurate picture of Somaliland . I'm sorry we ain't that welcoming , but at least we 're a little more honest and straight forward when it comes to how we feel about foreigners compared to our western neighbours. Lol
6th November 2005 jess'm	i must gree - From: A day in the life im doin a project on ethiopia, and ur blog tells the truth...
28th October 2005 Abdifatah	People read the blog before writing about it - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I'm a Somalilander myself and I think what is said about Somaliland is fair and just..Who ever attacked the owner of the blog obviously didn't read through all that was said about Somaliland...And keep in mind his a foreigner not a somalilander like you that understands the language and behavior of the people.Plus you know and I know that when we travel to Somaliland were get picked up at the airport by our dear relatives who watch out for us...
27th October 2005 Anto	- From: Sabra & Shatila Lebanon IS for the Lebanese, for both Christian and muslim, Dean, your post was very low and ignorant.
24th October 2005 anonymous	Student of the History! - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place As a student of the world, you are one patient man. btw, I call all travellers as students of the world. I was tempted to call you names until I read the article. Hargeisa, oh Berbera! they are cities you should have visited 47 years ago. I am not saying residents were not as intolerant to Western visitors because they was a foreign rule at the time. You are lucky if they did not lynch you.
23rd October 2005 Guled Ismail	Well Done and thank you - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I am a somalilander and I thoroughly enjoyed your article. I was saddened to see that people have demonstrated their ignorance and narrow-mindeness by blabbing on about Islam etc but please remember this is a place with 80% illiteracy rate and Islam is the only show in town intellectually-speaking. I was surprised you liked Berbera, god how I hated that place except at night when the aroma of spiced fish filled the air. And people are insnane due to the Qat. That stuff will surely kill of Somaliland. Please visit the place again some time and this time swim in khoor soor east of Berbera. Sublime. PS: Berebera does have an ancient synagogue and a 700 yyear-old Ottoman mosque but a lot of the houses were indeed built by Somalis from an earlier generation which died out replaced by ninja women boring everybody to death about god and islam and insane men of today addicted to drugs.
19th October 2005 Devrim	trains, planes and automobiles - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Hey, I love playing in traffic. How did you know?
16th October 2005 John	Where are you? - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti No posts in a long time. What's happening?
15th October 2005 Camille	Devrim - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place hey Devrim do me a favour ..... Go to the busiest highway u can find and stand in the middle of it
12th October 2005 Devrim	Yes it is, now....: - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place STFU, I ram your HASS, POS!
11th October 2005 camille	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place i have totally enjoyed reading about your travels ..keep up the good work ...I'm Jamaican and there's a lot in these counries i can relate to ...we are far apart geographically but share some similarities.....i do understand the concerns some people have with not feeling that we may be not be getting the full story about Somalia.... but u are speaking about your experience ..what u experienced during the time u spent there and obviously it will be different from someone who grew up there..its one part of a very long and complicated whole ..i feel the same way when someone describes my country ....but its your truth ...and i do thing u have been fair ....its not going to deter from visiting there in fact i think your description has peaked my interest even further ...maybe my exerience will be the same.....and maybe not...the main thing we all need to understand are that perspectives and opinions are different and while we may not agree with them but they still need to be respected...which is basically what u were trying to bring across in your post
11th October 2005 yippy yo yayo3000watts	- From: Stoned Assassins, Drunken Partygoers, and the People of God this article was great. it really helped me with my homework
8th October 2005 Jason	Pathetic excuse! - From: Sabra & Shatila Israel the most advanced fighting force in the middle east was not kicked out of Southern Lebanon by Hezbollah. They withdrew there forces by themselves. All Hzbollah have are there stones and home made weapons while Israel has the lastest in technology. And if Hezbollah kicked Israel out of Lebanon the why don't they kick them out of the Shebaa farms that lie along the border on Southern Lebanon.
8th October 2005 Dean	HAHAHA - From: Sabra & Shatila Mohammed was illiterate yet it was said in the Koran that he read the Koran everyday and taught it to his people! WAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH fucking bastard religion!
8th October 2005 Sarah	Pathetic - From: Sabra & Shatila As France is for the French, Lebanon is for he Lebanese and always was that way. Before Palestinians arrived in the country or any other nation for that Lebanon has peace, so that definately says something. I respect the Lebanese and I know that everybody that posted on this site can learn a thing or two from the Lebanese both Christian and Muslim.
8th October 2005 Charbel	LEBANON! - From: Sabra & Shatila Lebanon is for and always will be for the Lebanese. It is the Christian capital of the middle east and anybody that says otherwise is a stupid mother fucker! I agree with you Mr. Farah for you speak the truth and as it is. All these Arabs are jealous of Lebanon, the country with no desert and camels and stupid 3rd world people that believe in violence as a solution to peace. Lebanon is God's land surrounded by the scum of the earth...ARABS!
6th October 2005 P	- From: 48 Hours in Djibouti You have many stories to tell... and i've enjoyed reading all of them so far. Best of luck.. and stay safe..
3rd October 2005 D	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Great job.
3rd October 2005 dega	I am a somali and I agree with you 100% - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Thanks for the blog. I enjoyed, laughed and even wished I was there. Thanks.
1st October 2005 somali	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place i agree with Erika, the world is screwed up by its leaders not setting good example. Anyway i enjoyed reading your article and hope you will travel to the rest of Somalia and let us know the how your experience is. Best of Luck and be safe.
22nd September 2005 anonymous	mothers day - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti cebinde akrep besledigin icin daha hala yemen blog unu yazmamissin
15th September 2005 kemal	dear greek friend - From: No Greeks here... could you explain why there is no (not even one) mosque in Athens? (ps. i dont define myself as muslim) about a related subject. hagia sophia was a church for 800 years. and it was used as a mosque for 500 years. Now we converted it to a museum. WHAT is WRONG about it? one more thing about EU. just look around. do you want another Iran-Iraq or Syria just the door next to you? Do u want us to join the Arabic union? or form a Turkish union? try to see the reality. Turkey is backing up your ass. And we are on the same side. I am really afraid for the humanity. (especially european friends)if EU blocks the membership. bedreddin the thing you are doing and the way you tell gives us the power to help this spinning poor world!
15th September 2005 tecavuzcu coskun	guzel yorum - From: A day in the life really nice blog... has an attittude.. ama ben su yorumlari yapan kanki arkadasa cok guldum. blog ayri guzel yorumlar ayri guzel bue kardesim. yoksa ay cok guzel yorumlari cidden cekilir gibi diil bi muddet sonra. :) iyi yolculuklar!-have a nice trip! yolun acik olsun!- let your road be open! güc seninle olsun!- let the force be with you!
14th September 2005 dj	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Why did you even do to somaliland- what was the purpose, and don' tell you were just curious. it seemed to me that you are judging somaliland and somaliders by some stupid remaks like "For some reason the word “warlord” pops up in my head when I hear “Somali”. Somali Warlord." and "women can be seen hanging around, faces covered by some green paste (the nature of which I have been unable to determine) but is presumably to make their skin lighter." your are so f**cking narrow minded. there isn't a single warlord in Somalidand, get a clue because if there was at least one you would be dead. That stuff women put on their face is a NATURAL FACIAL CLEANSER. why should somalilanders thank you for talking about their country, what have you done?- nothing, because you didn't notice all the things that they 've done that matters.
11th September 2005 anonymous	I appreciate all comments, but please RTFM before posting some ignorant remark accusing me of inciting to "hate". - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place yok gotu kalkti bunun bu postscript hadisesi falan
11th September 2005 anonymous	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place yahu milletin ingilzcesine ne bok atiyosun ben onu anlamadim zaten ezen ezmis pezevenkleri
11th September 2005 anonymous	- From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place contact ozgur can leonard diyor, contact bedereddin demiyor. lutfen sitede olup bitenle ilgili yazarken dikkatli olunuz. bakmadan etmeden yazmayiniz
Ozgur Can Leonard 8th September 2005 bedreddin	To Somalilanders Everywhere - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Congratulations! The remark "6th September 2005 21:16 - somalian: somaliland" came closer to rejection than any other comment. I have since added a "postscript" to restate things in case I've been too subtle. Do not post ignorant remarks. DO read the entire blog before commenting on it. And if you want to discuss anything written in the blog, send me fan-mail by clicking on the little button at the bottom of the page which says "contact bedreddin". I'll be happy to clarify or discuss any issues.
7th September 2005 Nomadic Revolution	- From: 48 Hours in Djibouti Babasinin oglu... maalesef hatunlarla ayni basariyi elde edemedin, sort giyen fransizlara yilisiyorsun, yaziklar olsun!
6th September 2005 somalian	somaliland - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place it is great that you travel and write the places you have seen. however, as a somalilander i see a lot of disrespect and lack of knowladge about your article to Somalian calture. it is incredibaly ignorant of you to state those words.."hate us..." somalis as a tradition they are very generouse people, they believe a religion that teach them to welcome their guest regardless to their background ...(we might have some enamosity among each other for tripism reasons...part of nomadic calture). your article is bias and stereotyping people. another thing stop the false propoganda about the safety for Us citizen in somaliland...it is very safe comparing to some neighberhoods in chicago. we as a Somalis and Somalilanders might not be rich or wealthy, but we are rich in our hearts. it is ashame to write about a country without a knowladge to its calture and people. well, i understand where you comming from i lived here more than ten years (USA) the average American seem to believe some how similar believes when it comes to Africa, but average american hopefuly have braver heart than you because h/se wouldnt use those words of hate and false propoganda....and please dont forget somaliland is a country which was destroyed by civilwars and trying to stablish its ground zero. my friend try to write more opjective next time and please learn from places and caltures you see...without labeling with hate crating words...peace to you asnd to all humans every where... stay real!!!!
1st September 2005 ro	:-) - From: The good life And to think that I may have seen you, maybe on my daily commutes from berut to my university... But I would have forgotten by now, knowing my state of mind when I go to the university.
26th August 2005 anonymous	wordy blog - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti Your long accounts of "absolutely nothing" make for some of the most intriguing reads. Keep 'em coming.
25th August 2005 Hank	- From: 48 Hours in Djibouti I stumbled across your site and I have read all the entries. Remarkable! I haven't read any other travel accounts like it. You have more guts than I ever will. Thanks for sharing your stories, and be careful.
25th August 2005 Baybora	- From: 48 Hours in Djibouti Cimriliğinden ölecen hıyar!
24th August 2005 Elias Daher	Mr Chammas is right - From: Sabra & Shatila I agree with you. Lets put and end to this mandness. Lebanon is part of the arab world and we shouldent fight over that anymore. Also the Palestinias must be included in lebanese society, they are here, some of them have been living here since 1948, I think is time to include them in our society until the can go back home.
24th August 2005 Mr: Chammas	I agree 100% with Mar Girgis - From: Sabra & Shatila Thank god there is someone who puts things in its place. Im sick and tired of reading that stupid Lebanon for the lebaneses (wich considers Christians as the only Lebanese) retoric. Im sick of historical partiality and myths. Im sick of sectarian thinking, of denial and blaming everything on everyone else. Im a lebanese decendent (a christian one MR.Michael Farah) and I feel a shame of people who think like that. Mar Girgis you response was exelent, well founded and consistent, congratulations brother. as for bedreddin journal: It is great and very interesting. It seems you are a very sensible and human person. Interested in people and not just in big and fansy bildings. The world needs more people like you.
sk 24th August 2005 kps	Legion Shorts - From: 48 Hours in Djibouti Great read, funny as f**k. You're so right about Legionnaires and their gay shorts. I've worked with a few of them and boy do they like their shorties high'n'tight, especially the east europeans, yeuck.
24th August 2005 anonymous	- From: 48 Hours in Djibouti no pictures of all these beauties?
24th August 2005 bi dost..	yaw ozledik valla neredeyse bi sene olucak.. - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place en son kasimdi herhalde gidip soyle tophanede bi nargile keyfi yapali sizinle, ozledik valla sizi.. ama sundan emin olunuz, eskiden de heyecanla takip ederdik, simdi de heyecanla takip ediyoruz yazdiklarinizi bedreddin bey.. tahmin ettigimiz uzere bulundugunuz yer biraz sicaktir, eger yuzup serinlemek isterseniz soyle hint okyanusu gecip sydneye bi ugramanizi tavsiye ederiz, kapimiz her daim acik size.. (biliyom cok okuz bi yaklasim oldu ama napayim benden ancak bu kadar..) sevgiler .. bi` dost..
22nd August 2005 anonymous	- From: Leaving the SAR "Although not very democratic, most people seem pretty happy with the way the goverment is running things, especially Bashar. Picture taken in the souq in Damascus." Lool. That's a well known thing about syria, and apparently you have not been briefed about that. People in syria NEVER say negative things about the gouvernement, from fear of the omnipresent secret services (the "mukhabarat"). It is a soviet-style dictatorship. They will only tell you what they think if they trust you and only behind closed doors. This is not a myth, several persons who stayed long time in syria and worked with syrians told me that.
22nd August 2005 anonymous	- From: Sabra & Shatila blah blah blah you "phoenicians" have nothing else to do than talk politics. People in lebanon will take you into their house and drive you around, they love the company of strangers, and love to show them how they live. They know that strangers will be thankful and will not judge their way of life. But beware they like you because you're a stranger. As soon as you become familiar to them, they may start loosing interest. Or on the countrary they may develop friendship.
19th August 2005 SpyrosDT	Too True - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Somalia is one country I have never been in, but I had once two seamen from there, who were pretty literate in Italian and English. - Therefore your experience was read with interest. - Ranging in philosophical grounds, I wonder how freely the U.S. dispense of their own people, being soldiers of "freedom". - On the other hand, I never considered U.S. politically-minded, but strictly business-minded. It seems they have no conception of what "politics" means. - I do admire your disposition to write such many words - I mostly begin writing with a full head but somehow a laziness takes over. - Keep up
18th August 2005 Hassan Mohamed	Dangerous place - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I'm a Somali man living in the US. Your trip to the dangerous Somaliland is equivilent to my dangerous journey from an airport gate to inside a plane. I am terrified of what I go through everytime i present my ID. Some days just a minore 1 hour wait in the waiting room. Somedays a full interrogation of why am traveling to Vegas for 3 days (gambling is unacceptable), and some days I get turned back for undisclosed reasons. What an adventure it is but perhaps a little exageration in comparing it to your trip to Somalia. Aside from the minor comparison I just like to say I love when I see a westerner going to the non christian/white/western countries and telling the story about his fellow people about the adventures and the dangers he faced. WOW! I actually spent 2 weeks with those crazy monkies and survived to tell, oh by the way I had an escort (another monkey) thank god. Touching story, cheers to a hypocrit and screwed up world.
16th August 2005 baybora	fu! - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place "There are plenty of people on the street who seem plainly insane to some degree or another. I suspect it’s a combination of over-consumption of qat and too much direct sunlight." kisminda gulmekten yerlere yattim
15th August 2005 STFU	broken glass - From: The Fastest Way to Receive Money milyonlar 8 ay once kalkti artik ytl var ALLAHIN KIROSU!
12th August 2005 Devrim	yavsak - From: A day in the life Ulan hep de karilar sana not birakiyor. Hasan Tezbasan! Dikkat et de namus elden gitmesin.
11th August 2005 erkan	chips on some shoulder - From: No Greeks here... I wonder why some people especially someone from far away would try to find his identity by criticising our nation without not knowing the reality of the history and the same history applies to all
10th August 2005 Mar Girgis	Wow, you're all astonishingly full of shit! - From: Sabra & Shatila Wow, I'm amazed. The three posts prior to mine are outrageously ignorant and you should be ashamed. Mr. Farah, like most right-wing Lebanese, you sit there and exclusively blame the civil war on Palestinian refugees! Take off the blinders! Yes, there was a radicalized, militant Palestinian presence in Lebanon and this was not in Lebanon's interest, but who illegally invaded Lebanon with overwhelming and unnecessary force? Who bombed and murdered thousands of her civilians with total impunity and abandon? Who practices a policy of collective punishment? Palestinian refugees? No, the Israelis. And let’s not forget, the Syrians, the Iranians, and the Americans also had a hand in squeezing more blood out of Lebanon to suit their interests. All of these parties have blood on their hands and it is they who exploited Lebanon’s pre-existing internal tensions. You even say to bedreddin, the journal’s author to meet the “real proud Lebanese people(Christians)”. What? Are you suggesting that the only real and proud Lebanese are Christian? You’re ridiculous. It’s stooges like you that helped perpetuate the civil war; and your mentality belongs in the ruins of the past. But I agree with you, the militias should be disarmed and corruption should be reigned in, but don’t forget, while Aoun was sitting pretty keeping Baabda safe from the Israelis and then went on to fight his fellow Lebanese Muslims and Druze, it was Hezbollah that kicked Israel out of the South and organized schools and hospitals and a semblance of normalcy for people left with nothing after fifteen years of war. Or would you not consider them Lebanese because they’re not Christian? It’s sectarian tensions and hatred like yours that have put Lebanon in a weak and exploitable position. If that’s been the “hand of God” that you want touching us, I’ll pass. It’s more like molestation and I’ve had enough. Then there’s the next comment, by the coward who titles his post “Stupid Arab” but doesn’t even sign it with a pseudonym. He takes what Mr. Farah said and applies it to all Arabs, then he asks this brilliant rhetorical question: “When are Arabs ever going to learn that nationalism only leads to their descrution.” When are people who post comments on the Internet going to learn to think before they click SUBMIT? Wow, you’re deep, guy. It really makes you stop and think :-P On behalf of the Arab World, if I may, I say to this anonymous racist (actually I can’t tell if he looks down upon Arabs, or is a self-hating one himself), thank you for your wisdom! Of course, the Americans and Israelis don’t suffer from nationalism. No, not them. They’re so peace-loving and enlightened and tolerant and respectful of international law. They bomb our cities with white roses, respect us as equals, and always tell the truth. Nationalism is a human affliction that we’re all to blame for, okay? There are plenty of current examples of American Nationalism spinning out of control: Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, the lies about Saddam’s WMDs. So go point that accusation someplace else. And Israeli Nationalism? There isn’t enough space here to begin to tell you. Then there’s the last comment before mine, also not signed and titled: “Damn… Arabs never learn…”. I have to say, I admire Mr. Farah for at least having signed his own comment; but this one here truly IS a self-hating Arab. I pity you, brother. There is a sickness inside you and you must have to lie to yourself everyday. You say “they [the Arabs] say one thing and do another”. Really? I didn’t know Arabs had an exclusive mastery over hypocrisy. Of course, the Bush White House always means what it says; and its words match its actions. Then this retard goes on to say “Live your life outside, in America, if not the UK, in Europe, just forget Lebanon”. Are you issuing counterfeit visas now, friend? Yes, that’s it, forget your identity and lose yourself in name brands and a purely consumerist lifestyle. This guy is a Lebanese (or should I say Phoenician?) Uncle Tom. As if Lebanon has never produced beautiful things after the Arab conquest? Fairuz and Gibran would give you a crisp slap on each cheek, ya kalb! What the hell is wrong all of you? These three that posted before me all suffer from selective historical amnesia. They only see what they want. I pity you all. As for me, I’m just a smartass and have a poor work ethic, so I’m pissing around at work. Pity me as well. I’m going to the bar to drink to Lebanon, its beauty, its people, and you for reading this rant. Kisses!
4th August 2005 test	luck - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place you really do have the luck of the irish. it seems that all hell breaks loose after you've left an area. be safe.
2nd August 2005 Tom	Good Blog - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Dont entirely agree with some of your points, but a fascinating read all the same. thx!
31st July 2005 BFL	Zaman Kotu - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Kolla Dotu Senin izin bitmedimi daha okuz insan
30th July 2005 Kali	dude, good blogs - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place your blogs are always great to see and read. Full of insight and great pictures, and you travel to places no-one else would dream of going to....imagine trying to get into the u.s with all those middle east stamps in your passport (bring an extra big tube of ky for full body search! :) but anyways keep us informed of your trip.....
30th July 2005 Pshhh	Meh - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place Good blog until it got all political. I don't even like Bush but I really didn't want to hear this kind of stuff on a travelblog unless the locals brought it up. Could have done without the rants.
30th July 2005 Damn..	Arabs never learn.. - From: Sabra & Shatila Arabs never learn.. I am a lebanese arab but don't like the arabs myself, I think they are the most hypocritical, lowlife, undeserved race on earth, they say one thing and do another. So I just say forget about Lebanon and the Lebanese, live your life outside Lebanon and do leave Lebanon for the arabs, yes I said arabs, because we have been so influenced by the dumb arab mentality that we have forgotten all of our former roots dating back to phoenicians till the beginning of the arab era. Live your life outside, in America, if not the UK, in Europe, just forget Lebanon.. Lebanon is for the arabs now, not for the Lebanese unfortunately
30th July 2005 erika	Lots of People agree with you the world leaders are the criminals - From: A Dangerous And Uncertain Place I have been enjoying reading your blog, Your route is inspirational. I am from Scotland and currently on a world cycle tour, I have been out of contact with the news for a while but learnt recently of the london attacks and the craziness that is sweeping britain. It makes me really glad that I am in Romania heading towards Turkey rather than back home having to put up with the crazy fear factory media of Britain at the moment. Keep writing and good luck with the rest of your travel
19th July 2005 A Crazy Canuk	Tolerance - From: No Greeks here... Türkiye talks the talk, but does not walk the walk. Did the Turks show the same tolerance to the Armenians, or are they showing the same tolerance to the Kurds just yesterday, but of course tolerance must be shown today for a ticket entry into the EU. But will the Kurds get there homland...I think not if Türkiye still just talks the talk of talerance. Shall we just sweep under the Turkish Carpet the "Treaty of Sevres in 1920," which the Turkish powers that be at the time agreed to and signed. This same agreement stated that the Kurds can have there own home state if they wanted. The Kurds wanted, and the US Pres.Woodrow Wilson promised this to the Kurds. But Kemal Ataturk denied the Kurds there homeland by being tolerant and breaking the treaty. The Kurds deserve a homeland too just like our Jewish brothers and sisters were given one and also our Palistinian brothers and sisters deserve one too). As far as our Greek brothers and sisters are concerned, they have resided in those parts of the mediteranian and black sea as far as one can go. No diffrence than my nation/people in North America. I am not European or from the Middle East, I am Ojibwa from the Algonquian-Wakashan stock. It is easy for leaders to mislead there people (for an eg. Hitler, Sadam Hussien, and even Bush re: arms of mass distruction). Türkiye must and need to reconcile there past history. Like Deutschland and Nippon have done. My dear Turkish brothers and sisters, Turkyie is a very big country. Please do not deny our Kurdish brothers and sisters there homeland. And if Türkiye is still in denial, than Türkiye should go please sell crazy somewhere else.
8th July 2005 Patricia	Great pictures! - From: A day in the life Hadn't read your blogs for a while and today treated myself to a few hours of blog reading. You have a sensitive and astute perspective on things. It was nice to see your pictures and see your face again!!
26th June 2005 erkan	fair comment - From: No Greeks here... Respond to a comment made in 1994 by a Greek person, it would be only fair to make my comment and hoping to be read by this particular moron or by any greek with the same mentality.Turkey has been home by many civilations for centuries not only for greeks and run by us for some hundreds of years.Longer than America and Australesia and so on changed to their existing name and up to thelate nineteentwentiees many greeks enjoyed the tolerance of our nations for HUNDREDS Of years unlike some continents didnt even bother showing the same respect to the cultural differences and if Iam not mistaken there isnt any native tasmanian left in Tasmania.Now as this goes on ,my answer to how I feel about converting Church to a Mosque is quite simple a lot better than converting to a Bar as you have done that in Cos island [Istankoy in Turkish]anybody would have seen this mosque is not mosque anymore A bar.So As we are proud of being Turkish we also proud of our tolerant past.
15th June 2005 nanci	awesome - From: A day in the life I've been following all your blogs, they are awesome, was a little worried when you were in Sudan and hadn't left any blogs for a while. Good to see things are well. Continue to enjoy your adventure, I'll be waiting to hear more.
14th June 2005 anonymous	Stupid Arab - From: Sabra & Shatila Saying Lebanon For Lebanese is the same facsist mentality which drove Nazis to say Germany for the Germans. When are Arabs ever going to learn that nationalism only leads to their descrution - -
9th June 2005 anonymous	catchy - From: A day in the life was searching for a boyfriend's blog and I incdentally chanced upon your blog and great pics on Ethiopia. Wow! It's 1AM Bangkok time and I have been dying to go to bed since I got home from work today but your writing power kept me glued to my screen, eyes wide! Keep it up dude! - Brens
8th June 2005 anonymous	baybora - From: A day in the life sacin boyle guzel olmus, kisayken daha seyrekti, tam tecavuzcu coskun a benziyodun :D
8th June 2005 Kali	your blogs rock - From: A day in the life excellent blogs, well written and also want to do the same route next year, so am getting valuable advice ....
8th June 2005 anonymous	just to say..... - From: A day in the life .....been following your travels for a while now, it's an interesting route you're planning on doing, I look forward to hearing about it, especially after your last two blogs on Sudan and Ethiopia had me glued to the moniter for a full hour! Happy travels! - Conor
Sarah Kennedy + Peter Sherratt 8th June 2005 PeteSarah	My initiation to Bedreddin - From: A day in the life Well, mr Bedreddin for what it's worth you have a new fan. Drawn to your homepage article, I was enthralled all the way to the bottom - of your article that is, and look forward to reading your other blogs. Now, to write some more of our somewhat less adventurous and articulate blog! PeteSarah
8th June 2005 anonymous	- From: Of Lorries and Rebels soforlen beraber icseydin ganja - stfu
7th June 2005 anonymous	- From: A day in the life Yavrum benim - baybora
11th May 2005 anonymous	afrika - From: Onwards and Up the Nile sen daha elin yamyamiyla ugras 5-1 koyduk fenere, 20 sene daha beklerler Turkiye Kupasi icin - Baybora
5th May 2005 anonymous	eniste nashiati - From: Onwards and Up the Nile bu arap seysi merakin bittiyse afrikaya git zenci seylerini gör .... yediin ictiin senin olsun gordukleini anlatmasanda olur "EniSten" - bEn
30th April 2005 anonymous	- From: Onwards and Up the Nile israilde kirmizi degil
23rd April 2005 anonymous	plucked! - From: Onwards and Up the Nile I have a few experiences like that too... you were probably lucky most of the time because you don't appear rich; if you dressed like you had money you would most likely be hassled a lot more (also depends which part of town you are in). My experience in most places shows that if some younger person (who is not a student) speaks English you should avoid them at all costs because they have learned the language ripping off visitors. Many decent people there still have the hospitality of the region, but there are those that make a living off basically robbing guests in their countries. I don't even deal with people who speak approach me speaking English anymore... I've learned my lesson. - Devrim
21st April 2005 anonymous	Lebanon For Lebanese - From: Sabra & Shatila I don't mean to sound mean or anything but I have to say something very important. The people who live in Sabra and Chatila are Palestinians. They were the main cause of the civilian war in Lebanon and because of them the Lebanese people suffered. Now, the media has turned everything around in light of the Muslims and made the Lebanese Christians seem as if we were the bad guys. Take into consideration that Lebanon is an appressed country with a very corrupt government that is raping it alive for every last cent and will not stop until there is nothing left to take. So, next time if you ever think of visiting Lebanon, you should really try see two sides of the story and meet real proud Lebanese people(Christians) and I wonder what you'll think then. By the 30th of April 2005 Syrian troops are to withdraw out of Lebanon, but this does not mean much - all they are doing is going into Syria changing their army clthes and returning as civilians. In a country of a population of 3.5 million what is not included is the 650 000 Palestinians, 2 million civilian Syrians that take much of the work away from the average class Lebanese due to their very cheap labour and not to mention the 1.5 million Lebanese that have left Lebanon since the end of the civil war. People do not talk of the physical war anymore, they take of the financial war. So, in conclusion what I think the only solution to the crisis in Lebanon is if all the non Lebanese civilians leave, if the borders are secured and if a new constitution were to be writen up with free and democratic elections. To disarm terrorist organisations within Lebanon such as Hezbollah and Amal. And then finally for Lebanon and the Lebanese people try to cover the $42 billion dollar debt which the corruption of the current Lebanese government stole. God Bless Lebanon and his martyrs such as General Michael Aoun of the FPM for a free Lebanon touched by the hand of God! - Michael Farah
Fabrizio Carner 20th April 2005 Solo	baalbeck - From: Tripoli, Hiking, Partying and Baalbeck non ho ancora avuto il privilegio e l'onore di visitare una simile meraviglia! spero un giorno i miei occhi possano posare lo sguardo su una simile opera...Degli Dei! dico questo perchè e impossibile che una mano umana possa aver compiuto una simile impresa! I Romani costruirono il tempio di Giove e vero. ma le fondamenta... appartengono a un tempo senza età...
20th April 2005 anonymous	misir haritasi kirmizi degil - From: Onwards and Up the Nile bedreddincim misir haritasi bak kirmizi degil ana sayfandakki, oyle cirkin duruyo gezinin butunlugu falan yani onu soyle duzeltsinler
15th April 2005 anonymous	cool stuff - From: Hello, Money! Hey. Cool Stuff! That's the Euuphrates, though, in Mardin, not the Tigris. Happy Travels :) - Winston
11th April 2005 anonymous	cimrilik - From: Off to Sudan Birak cimrilii vergiiadeleri noldu?? Hepsini suriyeli kizlarami yedirdin.?? "EniSTen" - Bizzat Ben
11th April 2005 anonymous	- From: Off to Sudan Sudan'a koyayim sana birsey olmasin. Yolun acik olsun.
2nd April 2005 anonymous	happy birthday - From: Yellow Men in Israel and the West Bank happy birthday! - deer
21st March 2005 anonymous	General comment - From: Yellow Men in Israel and the West Bank I spent some time in that area my self and encountered very similar problems of been laughed and jeered at by kids and adults alike. I had long hair and a beard, but my poor buddy had dreads and lots of piercing. How I laughed. - damien
12th March 2005 anonymous	- From: Yellow Men in Israel and the West Bank I heard they eat aborted fetuses in Thailand - mr. garrison
9th March 2005 anonymous	chadoor theory - From: In Defence of the Veil dzhon!! (i'm compelled to invoke your russki name just so that u might vaguely who i am..) I wanna protest your chadoor theory - about how women get to vary their lingerie (phew) and religious folks also get to simultaneously impose strictness. From the perspective of a woman, it gives women little pleasure in varying only their lingerie. While it may please the lucky man who peer beneath the chadoor, it does not satisfy the women fully. What women want is to be able to flaunt/ to show in front of men - strangers, if u like it. ( See why the women of aleppo were all clamoring over the foreigner YOU) Anyway, if women cant show their colors, their individuality (physical/ physiological) in front of other non-husband-men, then the whole objective of fashion is defeated. Anyway, back to my point that chadoor kills fashion/ individuality. What it does, however, according to a book on Iran i just fnished, is that women in chadoor get to 'rebel' by showing a little flash of flesh, of wispy hair strands etc. This is the rebellious and fascinating story behind chadoor - and it's not about the lingerie that hides beneath the chadoor. - en min
8th March 2005 anonymous	lebanon is the best and the more beatifull cuontry in the all world,you can feel you are free and you live - From: Tripoli, Hiking, Partying and Baalbeck - anna
8th March 2005 anonymous	- From: Yellow Men in Israel and the West Bank O cevabi sen yazmadiysan, 10 dolar vericem - Baybora
7th March 2005 anonymous	:)) - From: Yellow Men in Israel and the West Bank Naber Leo?Yazdiklarini okumaya devam ediyoruz.Bu kadar yol tepmeye gayet iyi dayaniyorsun.Sagligina dikkat et.Sana kac kere dedik kendi fotonu da ekle diye ozledik valla. Bi de arkada$lar iletmemi istedi Israil plajlarindaki bikinili kizlari gormek istiyorlarmi$ :))Kendine iyi bak. - nebahat
Ali Watters 5th March 2005 Ali	One of the most moving diaries I've read - From: Yellow Men in Israel and the West Bank It's also incredibly well written and offers true insight into the problems of the region. Thank you for putting together such a thoughful and interesting article.
22nd February 2005 anonymous	- From: Leaving the SAR Lubnandaki suikast olayinin zanlisi olarak gozaltina alinan leo@dan haber alamiyoruz. Dualarimiz onunla - ender
13th February 2005 anonymous	shabbas - From: Leaving the SAR kardesim iki haftadir bi bok yazmamissin yoksa aglama duvarinda cok mu fazla zaman geciriyosun - Donnie STFU
9th February 2005 anonymous	maşallah maşallah 2 - From: Leaving the SAR Ya Leo amma gezentesin be olum gene dere tepe halindesin. Burda arkada_lar1ma gösteriyorum seni bir nevi hava at1yorum yani. sen anlatt1kça biz de varm1_ kadar oluyoruz oturduunuz yerden. izlemeye devam edeceiz de arada kendi fotonu da koy da gül sakallar1n1 ( ke_ke yüzünü diyebilseydim) görelim :)) Hadi Allah ayaklar1na derman versin - nebahat
5th February 2005 anonymous	- From: Leaving the SAR kes o irenç sakallar1 kim bu istanbul anadolu yakas1ndan bir tost karde_im tost neli ka_arl1m1? - last of the Ekol
30th January 2005 anonymous	- From: Leaving the SAR gercekten daha once de dedigim gibi "it's better with the faces".. yani insanlari gostermedikten sonra tas duvar yol toprak su kopru baraj nereye kadar? oralari oralari yapan sey o insanlar ne de olsa.. bu nedenle iste bu defa blog'unuzu daha bi keyifle okuduk; heyecanla devamini beklemekteyiz..bi de biliyoruz ucuncu dunya ulkelerinde zor oluyodur ama daha fazla fotografiniza ulasma sansimiz var mi? ("hatunlar ve teknoloji" yorumunu aklimizdan bile gecirmeyelim pls! :) ) istanbul anadolu yakasindan sevgiler, saygilar, selamlar.. - istanbuldan bi tost :)
30th January 2005 anonymous	fotoo - From: The good life Abim insan o güzel ortam1n o güzel k1zlar1n hatunun falan bi fotoraf1n1 çeker hayret bi_ey yav. yaz i_te oratm güzel hatunlar güzel. ben de yazar1m nolcek nerden bilelim atmad11n1? delil isytiyorum delil :) neyse hadi sana iyi gezmeler - izzet
29th January 2005 Nomadic Revolution	Tatoos - From: Leaving the SAR Interesting about the tatoos; it's taboo in some cultures and others it's quite common. The Berber women of Morocco have a tatoo running from their lower lip down to their chin. Hadi bakalim; Bosra'ya koyayim sana birsey olmasin. DL :)
5th January 2005 anonymous	its mothers day - From: Sabra & Shatila hadi hadi demiyorsunki ben aslinda gitmedim, uyduruyorum yazdiklarimi ondan resim koyamadim nerden bilecegiz gittigini? bende istersen buna benzer bisey yazarim - broken glass
Ozgur Can Leonard 3rd January 2005 bedreddin	I'm freebee - From: The Syrian Hinterland right...
28th December 2004 anonymous	YOUR FREEBEE! - From: The Syrian Hinterland I guess that could be considered Kool. Next time somebody breaks into your house and steals YOUR identity don't get upset Mr. Your acknowledging the fact you are a rip off artist suggests you should stay home and play with ripped off music specials. PS How do you earn your living or does Mommy and Daddy sort of pay your way? Tsk Tsk - TRAVELGUY
26th December 2004 anonymous	it's mothers day - From: Syria, East vs West OTOH in ne anlama geldigini merak ediyodum, ve simdi cozdum, Orospu Timsah Oglanlar Havzasi yanilmissam duzeltiniz
Ozgur Can Leonard 25th December 2004 bedreddin	Christmas - From: Syria, East vs West Just a quick note to say that Christmas was fairly anticlimactic (possibly due to the rain), and my plans for par-tay'ing fell through miserably. OTOH I got to attend/crash a Syrian/Maronite wedding and Midnight Mass at a "Latin" church (naturally in Arabic lightly sprinkled with Latin) which made for an interesting experience.
21st December 2004 anonymous	- From: In Defence of the Veil kocum, resimsiz bir blog gogussuz bir kadin gibidir
Ozgur Can Leonard 21st December 2004 bedreddin	Yes, still no photos - From: In Defence of the Veil Sorry. I haven't been "feeling" it, so in fact I don't have cool pictures to upload...
18th December 2004 anonymous	mehdi - From: Sick in Syria hoca, nedir bu insanlardaki `I am the "one"` kompleksi ben anlamadim ki? Bu kacinci mehdi yahu. Herkes ulvi bir amac icin yasadigini, farkli ve ozel oldugunu zannediyor, halbuki degil, kardesim sende herkes gibi yiyip icip sican, sevip sevilen ve sevisen, olunce gotune pamuk tikilan veya tikilmayan, oole bir adamsin iste bunu kabul et artik. Yok `I am the king`,yok ` you will see one day` etc. ooffff... Neyse guzelim sen kendine iyi bak gerisine kafam girsin - battal gazi
9th December 2004 anonymous	- From: The End of an Era kuru iftira, ilk 3 paragrafi okudum
2nd December 2004 anonymous	an old friend' den - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land Leocugum, uzun zaman oldu update etmeyeli.tembel tembel geziyorsun bi update 'e zaman bulamadin.Kayseri ile ilgili anlaticak seyin yok galiba.Ermenileri nasil kestiklerini anlattirdinmi Kayserilere?
27th November 2004 anonymous	bi' dosttan.. - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land merhabalar bedreddin bey, ben sizin bi hayraninizim da, uzun suredir blog'unuzu takip ediyorum. Size kendimi anlatmak icin ne yapsam karar veremedim sahsen; bir mektup yazsam, kapinizda aglasam; ya da Umit Besen'den I love you'u yollasam yeterli olur mu acaba? Dediginiz gibi, memleket gezisini bir an once bitirseniz de, istanbul'a bi gelebilseniz. Neme lazim, Taksim Galatasaray lisesi onunde karsilasma ihtimalimiz falan olur.. ne de olsa -himm, siz nassi derler??- "it's a very very mad world" degil mi ama? ;) istanbul anadolu yakasindan sevgiler, saygilar, selamlar.. bi' karisik tost.. :)
Ozgur Can Leonard 27th November 2004 bedreddin	still procrastinating - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land i'm still procrastinating adding a new entry as i radically overhaul my plans... i'm thinking about skipping the country ASAP... fwiw.
24th November 2004 anonymous	fagabond - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land Simdi kar yagacakmis oralarda, iyice arkadan aldin. En iyisi sicak biyere git
Ozgur Can Leonard 20th November 2004 bedreddin	Fun with hostels - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land I'm (still) too lazy to upload the requisite pictures to start a new blog, so I'll add yet another comment. I showed up at Avanos in Cappadocia last night around 7:30, confidently marched to LP's most highly recommended hostel (and even critically contemplated it before ringing the bell), fully intending to meet fellow travelers with whom to explore the region. Imagine my surprise when the innkeeper responded with "I'm sorry, we're empty"... "and?" "I don't really want to turn on the heating for just one person, try the other hostel down the street"... Next hotel: "Hm... so it's just you? I'm sorry, we don't have any single rooms left, only doubles, try the other hostel"... (lying bastard... I know the place is completely empty). I lower my standards and try the first place again: "I'll be OK with an extra blanket, you don't need to turn on the heating"... "oh, you really don't want to stay here... I'm sorry... try this other hotel"... "but the guidebook says that's 'mid-range', at least twice as expensive as your place"... "oh, this place isn't cheap either! we charge $25 for a single"... (the price they quoted to LP is $8.50)... What complete wankers! It's not like I didn't look presentable or anything (I had even showered earlier in the day)... it's because I was speaking Turkish. I swear if I had introduced myself as an American they'd be slobbering all over me. I resolved to stay cool (and to report them to LP and hopefully make them pay)... an old man saw me futile-ly ringing the bell of another hostel, and said he'd help me find a place to stay... when the hotel he took me to was also closed, he asked this potter dude to let me sleep on the couch in his studio, and he said "sure"... I was touched at the warm humanity, and gushed all sorts of warm thoughts and words, and we ended up talking until 1am, and I went to sleep full of thoughts of setting him up with a website with which to better advertise his wares. The next morning he sat me down "to discuss the fee", and that totally ruined the feeling for me... especially when he tried to overcharge me (compared to staying at a reasonable hotel) and tried to convince me that I was really getting a good deal since this was a "touristy place". I must have done something seriously wrong in a former life... All I can say is: stay clear of Avanos!
18th November 2004 anonymous	Fear and Love - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land "Irish Blood" huh? Ne yavsaksin be! Bak, seni hic sevmiyorum sutoglan, babani da sevmezdim. Your story is actually not too different from the bike I got in SF; paid $10 for it, put over $150 into it, and then never really used it. The wheels were a bit bent and all ama asil kabahat bendeydi; salakligim iste. Neyse, I was going to warn you to be careful of biking; it can be great if you have a light pack, but with a lot of bulk it's less romantic. Even if you have a tire patching / repair kit, worse things can happen like the wheel being bent (or the pedal breaking) in the middle of nowhere... then you'll have to ditch the bike and you'll be very pissed off. I rented a bike in Bintan, and biked around the island; the dandik pedal broke off in the middle of nowhere and I had to carry that stupid bike 2 hours back to the store. I was more pissed off than when she wrote "I ran out of steam." Not amused at all. Biking in cold weather is no fun either; it's a great way to get a runny nose and a throat full of phlegm... the kind that loves you "long time." Stick to bikes only when the weather is generous and you aren't alone in the wilderness (i.e. help is not more than a half a day walk away) and keep your rass out of the cold. - DL
Ozgur Can Leonard 18th November 2004 bedreddin	To fear or not to fear - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land I don't feel like adding a new journal, so we'll make do with comments. One thing I've definitely noticed in Turkey is the amount of fear and uncertainty everyone seems to have. People who I talk to are almost instantly concerned for my well-being, concerned that the next person I see will rob me or worse. My natural inclination is to laugh it off, but I think it's odd that it's the rule rather than the exception. People seem perpetually afraid of everything (above and beyond the "daily bread" needs which are common to gentiles): afraid of someone picking on them, afraid their girlfriends/wives are disloyal, afraid of sticking out, afraid of someone ridiculing them... I'm not even sure of all the reasons, but the fear is very real (flashbacks of "Donnie Darko"... "on one side is fear, on the other love"). It translates to pissed off and stressed out expressions on people's faces, and people aren't willing to go places where they don't know anyone or to step outside of the norm... there's safety within the tribe, but you're on your own (and at others' mercy) once you step outside. The wealthy seem less susceptible to this, but I'm assuming that's because they have their wealth to fall back on, and can pay for the privilege of not fearing. I have pretentions to humanist libertarianism, so I want to believe in man's potential to be good (when not adversely influenced, and given the right combination of the stars), but I'm wondering if maybe I'm delusional. Are people basically good, or is the only thing keeping my head on my shoulders the fact that there's a police force and system of criminal justice to deter people? Combine that with the fact that the police force is essentially a scourge in the hand of the capitalist class to subdue the masses and... what does that say about me? Having said all that, I'm wondering which anatolian town produces those bastard types which wreak havoc on the streets of Istanbul... in all honesty, I didn't feel safe walking around after dark today... I hope the fear isn't rubbing off on me.
Ozgur Can Leonard 18th November 2004 bedreddin	Fun with Bicycles (how to buy high and sell low) - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land So... like I said in the blog itself, I had notions of biking, but decided it wasn't feasible... I even convinced myself that it wasn't a good idea considering the weather and all. That is, until I stumbled across a store that was selling brand new mountain bikes for 95million (less than $65)... the bike itself looked reasonable, so I forked out the money and bought myself one. A quick look at the map showed Beyshehir by the lake of the same name, roughly 94km due west as a reasonable target for a day's biking trip. So I made up my mind to set out early the next day after buying some more gear (such as gloves, a raincoat, a wool undershirt, etc). Not surprisingly, when I went to fit my gear on the bike I ended up with a large pile on the back rack which, despite the bungy cords fell over less than 100m later. So, I head back to the bike store, bought (and installed) a "basket" for the front of the bike, was pleased that my gear seemed to fit perfectly, and decided to take the bike for a test run (fully loaded with the gear) to make sure there would be no surprises the next day... The bike was fine until I basically hit the outskirts of town when the right pedal fell off (never a good sign). Luckily there was a repair stand closeby and the guy said the tread was worn but installed a new pedal and said it would be OK. By then the sun had set, so I head back to the hotel (to the general amusement of the manager to whom I had said I was leaving), and resolved to leave the next morning by 9am. Not only that, but I decided to skip Beysehir altogether and strike out eastward towards Cappadocia, as that road is nearly completely flat and would be more navigable than the hilly Beysehir road. The weather report declared that the next two days would be sunny (a welcome change from the rainy weather for the previous couple days), but that saturday night would bring a temprature drop of 8 degrees celsius (13 degrees fahrenheit) -- the temperature officially 12 degrees at the time, although the loacl thermometers read 5-6. I figured I could bike to Capadoccia, use my bike around there and possibly sell it at a loss if/when the temperature forced me to do so. I went to sleep early in complete peace, confident that the next day would bring a great experience. It did, but not the one I was looking for. I woke up on time, ate a small breakfast, loaded up my bike and hit the road. Things were going just fine until about 6km later when the pedal started to feel a bit funny and -- you guessed it -- it fell off. Try to imagine my frustration: I had intended to leave Konya 3 days ago, but had changed my plans to incorporate this bicycle... the bicycle had already let me down twice, and the weather was barely bearable at present, let alone after the anticipated temperature drop. Someone told me they would probably start getting snowstorms in 1-2 weeks. In great agitation I walked the bike back to town, and when I finally got there an hour and a half later I wanted to get rid of it. The guys at the shop were nicer than I expected and paid to have the pedal replaced, as well as for a general tune-up, but I had made up my mind... I wanted a divorce. We're not in Kansas anymore, and the guy looked at me in disbelief and got positively irritated when I said I wanted to return the bike, and wouldn't hear of it even when I said I'd be willing to lower the price... as long as he'd buy it back. The hotel manager offered to buy it off me for 65million (after a bit of bargaining, that is), and when a repair guy offered me 70million (plus 6 million for the miscellaneous tools I had bought), I took it and parted with my (now fully tuned and functional) bike which had cost me 115 million (all told), plus 3 days of hotel costs and great mental and emotional anguish. One hears about these couples who get divorced a couple weeks after they're married... that's what I felt like. We go divorced before I even got to ride the thing in peace, but the relief that came when I shook the guy's hand to seal the deal was very genuine, and beyond any short-term financial considerations. Having Irish blood, I can't help but feel sorry for the whole episode and wish it had never happened, but as they say "zararin neresinden donulse kardir" (lit. wherever you stop your loss is a profit... meaning don't stick to a losing horse). Things weren't working out, so now it's over. Maybe some other time with someone else. So, I have finally made my escape from Konya, a bit sore from the experience, but at least I'm still baggage-free (in more than one sense), and I haven't frozen to a popsicle somewhere on the Anatolian plateau. Maybe I'm missing out on part of the experience, but that experience is going to have to wait till warmer weather. Until that time I'll be sticking with closed metal cages rattling down pre-established roads.
16th November 2004 anonymous	Oley - From: Mevlana (Rumi)-land Demek artik bir "highlight"sin... yasa be! Bu arada Catalhoyuk'e filan da gidecekmisin? Resimler icin hangi software kullaniyorsun? DL
2nd November 2004 anonymous	sir fagalot - From: Adrianopolis o resimleri oraya koymadan once cocuklarin velilerinden izin aldinmi? ne yani Turk veya cingene diye insandan saymiyomusun?! bu arada senin babanenpolis, edirne yazmak cok mu zor
1st November 2004 anonymous	lorelei - From: Adrianopolis herseyi yapm1ss1n da eski cami ile selimiye aras1nda bi cay yudumlay1p trakyan1n keyfine var1p,tarihin kokusunu duyabildin mi? :)
30th October 2004 anonymous	To a Greek - From: No Greeks here... Fazla kasinma, kardak kayaliklarindan baslar Arnavutluk sinirina kadar heryeri aliriz ve her binaya(sadece kiliselere degil) minare ekleriz bu arada Arjantinliler Sicarken Zevk Aliyolarmis
30th October 2004 anonymous	Truva'ya cevap - From: Commemorating the fallen simdi aksakalli dedenin sozlerinin degerini sen anlamamissan ben n'apayim. "Don't cast your pearls upon swine"
29th October 2004 anonymous	Drinking in Ramadan - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) It's always better to get the dirty looks, especially when you drink it out of a brown bag; kinda like chewing gum in Singapore.
29th October 2004 anonymous	Truva - From: Commemorating the fallen Can, Peter o atin icinde birsey kirmamis miydi? Baybora soylemisti ki ona da mutlaka Ak Sakalli Dede soylemistir. Hadi, off to earn my daily rice.
Ozgur Can Leonard 26th October 2004 bedreddin	to a Greek - From: No Greeks here... first off, racism is ignorant and uncalled for. i don't know what you're trying to get at by saying turks came from mongolia and calling them "newcomers in [sic] europe"; i don't think there's anything shameful about mongolia nor being a "newcomer". information i've come across indicates that ayvalik (kidonies) was granted autonomy by the sultan, and no muslims were allowed to live in the city... that lasted until 1821 (greek war of independence) when apparently ayvalik sided with greece and got its privileges revoked. sounds like pretty good treatment to me. as for what you said about mosques and cemetaries... unfortunately i agree with you there. i think there's a conscious (official) effort to eradicate the history of anatolian peoples and instead engineer the myth of the "turkish national homeland". i truly hope it's just a fad that will soon end. speaking of ayvalik, the church on the facing island (not sure of the greek name) wasn't converted to a mosque and is now falling apart... so it's a tough call: see it converted to a mosque, or have it fall apart from disuse? of course, the root of the problem is the population exchange (in the late '20s), without which we wouldn't have to worry about empty greek churches. finally, i don't know if you personally know any turks, but i'd suggest you try to meet some. there are some bad apples (there always are), but i think you'll find it worth your while. i've met some really cool greeks and armenians (both of which are official "enemies").
25th October 2004 anonymous	mordecai - From: Commemorating the fallen Turk un T sini bi daha kucuk yazarsan oraya gelip sakallarini kesicem! Ayrica rahat birak kucuk kizlari, michael jackson degilsin, katolik papaz degilsin, 30 yasina gelmissin artik insaf!
25th October 2004 anonymous	lorelei - From: Commemorating the fallen buralardan rüzgar gibi geçtin...mailine çok _a_a1rmad1m,böyle bi hayat gezgincinin kan1nda var!!umar1m sana söylediim yerlerede gidersin:)
21st October 2004 anonymous	From a Greek - From: No Greeks here... When I see this nice church getting transformed in a minaret I was thinking how our Turkish "friends" who want to join Europe would feel if they see the house in which Kemal Ataturk was borned, in Thessaloniki Greece, transformed to a Bar. I really do not undesrtand why Turks are always destroying the Greek culture. It is impossible to change history. Kidonies (Ayvalik) was for thousand years a Greek city until the Turks coming from Mongolia occupied it. By the way, I have also another question: In Ayvalik for thousand of years Greek Christians were burrying their deads in the town's cemeteries. What happened to them? Turks destroyed them as another gesture of civiliation? Otherwise can you please show just one picture of them? My grandmother is from Kidonies and her whole family was tortured to death from the newcomeres in Europe, Turks. Regards P.S. It is really a nice Greek Orthodox Church. Even without the cross and even if you add hundred of minares it will always be a church!
Ozgur Can Leonard 20th October 2004 bedreddin	Finally, pictures. - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) Here are some pictures... unfortunately the blog entry spans a fairly long period of time, so the pictures are all over the place. Enjoy.
20th October 2004 anonymous	to commentator number 3 - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) kerry actually isn't a flip flop. see vote-smart.org to check out his voting record ... or johnkerry.com about his comments about the patriaactually neither of the candidates seem to as so you eloquently put "rat's a$$ about Muslims."
19th October 2004 anonymous	- From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) but you were drunk in a dark alley in bodrum
Ozgur Can Leonard 19th October 2004 bedreddin	ideal life (guessing who you are) - From: Beautiful Patricia you are the anonymous voice of a cog in the machinery that saps our life force and fools us with dreams of "success" and "happiness"... you are everyman, longing for meaning in your life... you might be anyone and everyone :)
Ozgur Can Leonard 19th October 2004 bedreddin	kerry etc - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) bush is the antichrist.
Ozgur Can Leonard 19th October 2004 bedreddin	drinking in Ramadan - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) i wasn't getting drunk on a street corner... it was in the privacy of a (closed) restaurant with the owner's son (whom i had befriended). so no, no dirty looks.
Ozgur Can Leonard 19th October 2004 bedreddin	beni uzmeyin - From: Chandarli, on the way to Ayvalik beni uzmeyin... zaten bakip laf atmalarla basim dertte...
18th October 2004 anonymous	Sana kim bakar - From: Chandarli, on the way to Ayvalik Sana bakip gulmusler,"AA Adam kendini Robinson Crusoe Saniyo" veya "AA Manisa Tarzanii!" gibi seyler soylemisler, sende oyle gaza gelmissin, bana bakip da guluyolar diye
18th October 2004 anonymous	kerry - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) In the last debate, he said he wanted to send more troops to Iraq,he voted for the patriot act, he's for affirmative action (a horrible practice that rewards colored people and takes away the rights of others) he will make us pay higher taxes, he's like a robot and is nothing close to being a human, and he's a flip flop. First says yes about something, than says no (or visa versa) Thats scary! Ignorant people hear that Bush is bad, without knowing how bad the other candidate is then go ahead and squander their votes. In Turkish there is a saying "Gelen Gideni Aratir" literally: The one who comes, makes you miss the old one. W has his faults, but he's a sympathetic man that cares about his countrymen (although he doesn't give a rat's ass about muslims)
16th October 2004 anonymous	kerry - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) i had the same views about kerry until i saw the debates. he's a man for the 'working class', against racial profiling, for protecting individual rights and freedoms, wants to tax the rich and give to the poor, an environmentalist, AND an anti-war activist, wants to bring the troops home. he's as leftest as a presidential candidate you'll get for the US of A. much much better than bush. and to answer your random thought...yes, people are that stupid. it's a close election.
16th October 2004 anonymous	ramadan - From: Bozcaada (Tenedos) Drinking in Ramadan? Did people give you wierd looks for that?
15th October 2004 anonymous	Ideal life - From: Beautiful Patricia North side of the Agean is a good choice.Ayval1k, Bademli, Dikili... All reminds me my memories. Whenever I think about that region of my country, thoughts come to my mind and confuse me....leaving the job, leaving the pressure put by boss, leaving the city, leaving for living a new life like your 'ideal life'...Can you guess who I am?
12th October 2004 anonymous	- From: Chandarli, on the way to Ayvalik Whose beach? Our Beach! yazisini (sen ve benden baska) kimsenin anladigini sanmiyorum, boyle inside joke lari yazip durma cizerim bi tarafini
9th October 2004 anonymous	What a nice place to be!!! - From: Beautiful Patricia I have spent my entire childhood in Ayvalik. My parents do own a summer house and every year, I look forward to go to Ayvalik. One of the reasons why I like is that it receives constant wind for long hours. It is my definitely favorite location to windsurf every summer. Not to mention how lovely the nature and watching sunset at the beach. Mr.Bedreddin, I was so happy to hear that you got to stop by in Ayvalik and shared the feelings as I do every year. Best Regards. B.O. Orlando,FL
6th October 2004 anonymous	harika - From: No Greeks here... Sevgili Bedreddin, Gunluklerini cok keyif alarak okuyorum, devamini merakla bekliyorum. Her iki kulturden de tatmis bir insan olarak senin izlenimlerinin tadi bir baska oluyor. Sadece gezdigin yerleri degil seni de tanimis oluyoruz. Sevgiler, Selamlar, Ahmet - istanbul
Ozgur Can Leonard 5th October 2004 bedreddin	Update on fishing experience - From: No Greeks here... My fortunes are slowly changing... I caught 6 fish today. All small, around 10cm, but still fish, and I caught them. I threw them back after catching them so it's theoretically possible that I kept catching the same stupid fish over and over. :) A kid came over as I was catching my 6th and seemed like he knew what he was doing so I gave him my line and let him fish. He promptly got it caught in the rocks and the line snapped. He then convinced me to buy a different type of hook ([i]carpma[/i], I don't know what it's called in english) which works similar to a speargun: you yank on the line and end up punching a hole in the fish; the fish doesn't bite. Within 60 seconds of me buying it he caught a 35cm+ [i]zargana[/i] (small swordfish). Now, if I were a capitalist I would say the fish is mine since I supplied the capital; fortunately for the kid I believe in the sanctity of labor, so he got the fish. It's real windy so the line kept getting tangled so we gave up a bit later. I spent the rest of the afternoon watchaing the awesome sunset over the bay and behind the islands.
Ozgur Can Leonard 2nd October 2004 bedreddin	More to the story... - From: Pergamum I was a little pissed off and tired when I wrote the spiel about Bergama. I had some interesting encounters on the way there, as one typically does when hitchhiking. I left Balikesir around 4pm and was almost instantly picked up by a dude in a pickup. He told me he was kicked out of his 4th year in medical school back in '78 for getting involved in political activities. He was real cool and went on and on about people whose only goal in life is making money (and making it quick). Unfortunately he wasn't going far so he dropped me off 15-20km later. There were a bunch of villagers selling melons by the side of the road where I was hitchiking; one was trying to be helpful and asked some unlikely looking guy who had stopped to buy a melon if he could give me a ride. (This was the low point of possibly the past month.) The guy said that of course he didn't care how people looked and it's what's inside that counts for him, but unfortunately he was only going 7km further along, and he'd gladly give me a ride, but... He also added that "no-one will pick you up like this"; a sentiment shared by many. The villagers advised me that it would be easier to get a ride 7km along the way and to go with him... so off we went. From the first he made it clear that he was doing me an immense favor, and he had every intention of making me pay in one way or another. He proceeded to ask prying questions: was I a student? Why was I traveling? How much money did I have on me? Where was I going from here? Did I have any siblings? and then to provide invaluable advice: "go catch a bus back to Istanbul; get a job and forget this traveling thing"... and I had only told him I was traveling to Bergama... I wonder what he'd say if I told him I was "traveling the world" :) At this point the conversation was getting a little old -- he refused to say anything about himself, and I was beginning to regret getting into the car with him. It was also becoming clear that he was headed further than the stated 7km. When not telling me how to run my life he was talking on the phone and being a total asshole to the guy on the other end. We finally stopped at a gas station and he magnanimously offered to buy me a cup of tea. He continued to lie and be an asshole on the phone in the meantime, and a friend of his showed up and they started talking. I finally decided I needed to get out of there and fast, so under the severely rebuking eye of my benefactor I humbly explained that I should get back to hitchiking. He didn't omit to comment that no-one would pick me up and order me to take the first bus that passes by on its way to Canakkale/Istanbul. That wasn't the last I saw of him. About 30 minutes later as I was hitchiking and walking along the road I saw him come out of the gas station and drive in my direction. I idn't pay much attention until he passed unnervingly close to me on the road. At first I thought "very funny", thinking he was trying to scare me but later on the thought occured to me that he may have intended to run me over and changed his mind at the last minute. What a complete asshole. There were other villagers selling wares along the road further ahead who made me feel a little better by enthusiastically waving and saying hi. One lady gave me a large onion to eat. I spent the night in a field under a tree and amongst goat and horse turds. The next morning while practicing a new technique I flagged down a car who was headed to Assos (on the way to Canakkale), but who said he would take me to the fork in the road 40km west. He turned out to be a real sweetheart and we had some good talks. Right at the spot where he was going to drop me off he offered to take me to Assos (2-3 hours out of my way) where I could check out the ruins while he was doing his thing (for roughly an hour), and then drive me back. I figured "what the heck", and went along, and got to see Assos for free in the bargain. By the time I was at the fork in the road it was already starting to get late (5pm or so), and I was beginning to despair of finding a ride, especially since I was passing through a town, and had to walk out of the town to begin to hope to catch a ride.. and it was getting late to boot. As I was trying to save my energy (not hitching, just walking), walking through the town, a car pulled up a bit ahead of me. When I walked up to where he was he said "get in" (note, I wasn't hitchiking), and took me to Bergama from there. He didn't pry at all, and only once politely asked if he may ask a question, and then asked why I was walking alone. That was the full extent of our conversation, which was pretty cool since I was tired and not feeling quite my talkative self. So, two complete sweethearts and one mega-asshole. I've learned my lesson: if someone doesn't want to pick me up I sure as hell don't want to be in the same car as them.
1st October 2004 anonymous	- From: Pergamum sagligin dikkat et daha onunde uzun yol var yorma kendini enerjini yerinde kullan ammeni ara arada da merak etmesin seni saglikli beslen yedigin helal giydigin haram...
30th September 2004 anonymous	e hakli - From: Pergamum bekci garibim, senin adama benzemen icin elinden geleni yapmis :)
30th September 2004 anonymous	- From: Pergamum e adama benzeyesin diye adam elinden geleni yapm1_ i_te :)
29th September 2004 anonymous	message from baybora and the rest of the people who know you - From: Pergamum SHAVE YOUR BEARD!
29th September 2004 anonymous	- From: Road to Rejection ruhum anarsist falan ayaklari yapma, biz senin ne naneler yedigini biliriz. Ayrica buradan Ankara'daki esime, antalyadaki aileme, polatlida askerligini yapmakta olan arkadaslarima sevgilerimi gönderiyorum.
27th September 2004 anonymous	Baybora - From: Road to Rejection I can just imagine your expression when he said "Oda moda yok!" Oyle yavsak yavsak hareket etmenin cezasi bu... Trim your beard!
27th September 2004 anonymous	kalles - From: Hello, World! ulan sana rei gift card veren co-workerlerini yaziyosun da sana yardimci olan ve seni rei a goturen kardesini niye yazmiyosun!
27th September 2004 anonymous	Do you like bologna? - From: Are you an anarchist? Peki paraniz var mi?
26th September 2004 anonymous	salty cheese - From: Road to Rejection sen sabah oglen aksam peynir ye, surun, varyemez amca ben burda senin paralarinlan land rover alacam
25th September 2004 anonymous	Baybora - From: Are you an anarchist? yamuk hareket yapma doverim
25th September 2004 anonymous	no sea in bursa? - From: Back in Bursa please, if you're ignorant just SFTU
22nd September 2004 anonymous	3 days!!! - From: Back in Bursa 3 days in bursa??? what was so interesting there!!! even there is no sea or is there:)
21st September 2004 anonymous	What, no pictures? - From: Back in Bursa Hey, Ozgur! This is Andrei. Nice to hear from you. Did you finally get a digital camera for your trip? It would cool to see some pictures of places you've visited or still planning to visit. I've got your postcard from Turkey and posted it on your office door as you wanted. Looking forward to hear more about your adventures! Take care :-)
19th September 2004 anonymous	life of the party - From: Hello, World! www.fagabonding.com i satin alamadinmi?

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