I’ll be traveling to Belgrade in mid-April, returning to a more metropolitan location. I’m still in awe of the incredible natural beauty of Datça, but it’s time to move on to the next stop. Isolated Mediterranean peninsulas are remarkable pristine locations for exploring ancient ruins like Knidos, sailing in Turkish gulets, and hiking the Carian Trail, but I also enjoy the cultural activities available in larger cities. Belgrade is a gem for galleries and quality performing arts. Spring weather will be warm and pleasant, and fun splavs begin operating on the Sava River.
Most Americans may be unfamiliar with less-travelled locations like Datça and Belgrade. They’re not as popular as well-known tourist haunts in France, Greece, and Italy. Turkey and Serbia are interesting countries, where you can learn about world history from a different perspective, and the scenery is spectacular!
Beograd Again
This is my third trip to Belgrade (Beograd), a place that seems strangely familiar. The other visits were in 2019 and 2021. I first discovered Belgrade in 2019, when my EU tourist visa expired, and it was necessary to exit Schengen countries for 90 days.
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“Sunday’s election results could reinforce Erdogan’s control of NATO-member Turkey, or signal change in the major emerging economy’s divided political landscape.” Reuters
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Belgrade became a favorite city. The people are friendly, and I feel comfortable there. I’d heard negative things about Serbia – most of them associated with Bosnian and Kosovo Wars and the 1999 NATO bombings of Yugoslavia. Years of communist rule and violent conflict in the Balkans caused unspeakable tragedy, and recovery from war is slow.
WordPress Problems and Turkish Local Elections 2024
Datça has been a challenge for me. The language barrier is difficult, and with local elections coming up, there’s political tension in the air. Turkish municipal elections take place this Sunday – March 31. As mentioned, I haven’t posted much in Turkey, because WordPress is impossibly slow here, and it takes hours longer than normal to create and edit new posts.
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“During Turkey’s last local election in 2019, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) shocked President Erdoğan, when it prevailed in Istanbul and Ankara, ending more than two decades of rule by the Justice and Development Party (AK) and its Islamist predecessors.” Reuters
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The AK Party has ruled Turkey since 2003. Turkish politics is over my head, but I feel the presence of local elections looming in the air. During pre-election week, there have been public gatherings, peaceful rallies with chanting, and candidates appearing at campaign stations along the main thoroughfare and driving trucks through town with loud speakers blasting their slogan. The rallies are well-monitored by police. Of course, everything is in Turkish, so I have zero clue what they’re saying… In addition to the AK Party, other political parties, include:
- Republican People’s Party (CHP) – main opposition party
- People’s Alliance
- New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah – YRP)
- Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) – pro-Kurdish successor to Green Left Party
- Democratic Left Party (DSP)
- Nationalist Action Party (MHP)
- Motherland Party (ANAP)
- Virtue (Fazilet) Party
- True Path Party (DYP)
Datça mayoral candidates from Muğla Province include:
- Feyzullah Gülada – Nationalist Movement Party
- Gürsel Uçar – Republican People’s Party
- Dilek Dündar – Independent Party
- Ömer Serkan İğci – Independent Party
- Levent Aslan – Good Party
Understanding, let alone describing, nuances among Turkish political parties is beyond me. Researching and properly comprehending Turkey’s politicians and political issues would require too much time while traveling. It might be even more complex than understanding ongoing political conflicts and major disagreements in the US…
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“Since losing the metropolis to the opposition in 2019, recapturing Istanbul on March 31, 2024 has become Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s top priority.” Daily Sabah
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STEP Notification
The US Embassy Istanbul recently issued a notification through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). There’s “increased immigration enforcement in Turkey nationwide”. The notification was a reminder that tourists are required “by law” to carry their photo IDs at all times and “show them to police whenever requested”. Not doing so “can result in being detained or transported to a deportation center”.
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In 2021, Turkey passed an amendment allowing political parties to enter an election fight by forming electoral alliances. “The People’s Alliance and Republican People’s Party (CHP), make the case that there are actually two candidates in each district. They argue that voters should opt for their second favorite, if their own party cannot win, so that their least favorite candidate does not end up in office.” SETA
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Datça Wind and Watermelon
Datça’s fierce coastal wind blew with full force this week. You couldn’t walk the shoreline without getting sprayed by flying surf. Ferries were cancelled, and sailboats moored in the marina bobbed up and down like toy boats in a bathtub. Brave windsurfers loved it. The sea is calm today, as if preparing for a wild pre-election weekend. I plan to shop for a fat Turkish watermelon at Saturday Market. Although it’s pre-season, I’ve seen a few watermelons around town.
More from Belgrade…