susuz hayat...

...gercekten cok zor.

--Burcin Buyukpamukcu

Indeed it is true, as my dear cousin Burcin said, "waterless life is really very hard."

Folks, things in Ankara are still bad news bears with the water situation. The mayor went on CNN Turk the other day to declare that the water would be turned on for the next 10 days. After that period, water cuts would be reconsidered. It would all depend on how people used water in those 10 days.

It's a hard choice for the government. First, the water pipes are old and can't handle the constant changes in pressure. Reinstating the water cuts may just result in more water wasting--more pipe explosions. On the other hand, apparently, there's no water.

Except, wait, what is this I hear? The mayor was warned years ago about this problem and decided that the subway system was more important than updating the water system? So, now he's depending on the new Kizilirmak project? And we actually have enough water to last us six months but he decided to start the water cuts now to speed up the project?

What now? What's going on? Just tell me [us] -- is there water or is there not?!?!?!

Conspiracy theories abound [the fault of Zionists anyone?], the government is being blamed for neglect, the mayor is blaming the DSI while the DSI is blaming the mayor...in the end, though, that doesn't matter. What does matter is that people are still sans water. For example, my cousin Burcin. The depo in her building has dried up. Additionally, people are getting sick and having reactions to the heat+no water combo. For example, my aunt Firuzan. Something's gone wrong with her face.

Someone, anyone, has got to take responsibility--the truth needs to finally and clearly be given and people need to be helped. After the 10 day grace period, the water cuts will likely be restarted...to an even greater extent. Instead of two days off, the water cuts may be raised to four days off. Health officials are wary, suggesting that one day off is the only acceptable amount of time to continue secure hygiene.

People are angry. They are angry at AKP, blaming them for protecting mayor Gokcek and not firing him. They are angry at Gokcek for not heading the warnings. They are angry because new reports show that Turkey, in general, is undergoing rapid desertification. They are angry and they are scared. With good reason, I'd say.

At the same time, those with consistent water aren't exactly conserving. I see huge loads of laundry put out to dry. At midnight I hear my neighbor washing her balcony [while her child screams at the top of his lungs to other children on other porches where their mothers are washing their balconies].

Indeed, my water is back on. It was a bit faulty for awhile. I was a bit worried because I saw my neighbors with lines full of laundry while I wasn't getting a drip. True, I'm on the top floor of my building.

I'm trying to conserve. Those efforts are not exactly aided by the temperatures that are being experienced here. It literally feels like I'm burning in hell. It is horribly hot with no kind of respite, no breeze, no water. Ice cream melts...while sitting in the freezer. Of course, my mom can always put it into perspective: "think about those soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq who are living in 140-degree weather with heavy bulletproof suits on."

True, it's not that bad...but it's not that much better. I live in a state of constant dehydration. I can't even make my body move sometimes because it's so weighed down by hot air...

So, I'm leaving...again. I feel pathetic because I've only been back three days and I can't tough it out. I don't know how the people are doing it...especially the devout Muslim women. I don't know how my aunts are doing it.

I feel pathetic, but at the same time I feel it's sort of reasonable. I am worried about getting sick. If I'm gone I'm not consuming water. In some way, Gokcek was right about the whole "take longer holidays to lower the pressure on the system" deal.

I'm lucky that I have the resources to do this...I'm very lucky. I'm also lucky that the ticket prices are low to the places I want to go visit. In some ways I feel like I should stay for solidarity's sake, but at the same time it's a great excuse for me to travel. Additionally, all of my family in Turkey has encouraged me to get away if I can.

Agghhhh!

I don't have a good way to reconcile my internal conflict, but the fact of the matter is that i'm leaving...tomorrow morning. I'm going out East for five days. It will be a welcome respite and a chance to spend some time with my friend Yvonne. I will also have a chance to see some places that I have wanted to see for a long time, like Ani, Mt. Ararat, and the castle on Lake Van. It's also one of the few opportunities that I have someone else to travel out East with, a fact that brings much comfort to my parents [and myself].

In the end, I think it's a good choice. I'm ok with it. Actually, I'm secretly [or not-so-secretly] thrilled about it.

But, dear reader, it means I will be gone from you. I will be back soon. Really, it's just five days! And then I will give you the new updates on the situation...and move on to more enjoyable stories, like all these trips!

And, as always, I'd love to hear from you and of your personal going-ons. So, do email me sometime!

So, until my return...

May your days be waterfull. [ha!]