Two Faces of Smyrna

I dream of Smyrna: A beautiful Greek house shimmers in the midday sun like a mirage. From the Konak district.

I have nightmares about Smyrna: One of the run-down favelas that surround Smyrna's hinterland. Such ugly buildings are a by-product of internal migration from the villages, layers of them surround every large city in Turkey.

Careless Morons

What's this? Gray-brown foamy mud swamping a local park in a stinky mess? Why? Who might have done it?

Oh, I see... Somebody is digging a water well without bothering to warn anyone about it, or cleaning up after themselves. Life as usual in Turkey.