Ankara sightseeing

Today was a day for Ankara sightseeing.

As confirmed by some local residents, there is not much to detain tourist in Ankara. It is very much the administrative capital of Turkey and there are a number of other places in the country which would have greater sightseeing priority. The one 'must see' attraction is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kernal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish state.

It is set in a park - Anitkabir - full of symbolism and with an extensive museum which tells the sory of the founding of the Turkish state and Ataturk's core contribution to it. He led the wars of independence and shaped the creation of the state thereafter.

At the entrance is a Peace park with trees and shrubs from all over the world. These are listed in a helpful information board. There were some contributions from 'England' though, it would appear, none from the rest of the UK. A simple translation error perhaps which, given it is a 'Peace' park, I found easy to forgive.

The blip is of the mausoleum itself; he is buried in Turkish soil beneath the building though there is a symbolic sarcophagus inside.

Ataturk is a revered figure in Turkey. Many of the protestors carry Turkish flags with the image of Ataturk imprinted upon it. One of his abiding principles was to listen to the people and act according to their wishes. He has much contemporary significance.

I walked to the mausoleum. In doing so, I passed large groups of policemen all dressed up in riot gear, buses waiting to transport them to wherever they felt they were needed and water canon vehicles parked ready for action. These are the only policemen I have seen since arriving here.

Tonight, a long procession of protestors took about 20 minutes to pass the hotel. There were a lot of people. There was no obvious stewardship and no police presence. It was all orderly and very good natured and while I have no doubt some were there for a good evening out, most were there because they had something to say and wanted someone to pay attention.

I am safe in my hotel bedroom but it is particularly noisy out there tonight.