so I`ve been visiting S. for three weeks now. apart from the fact that I became recognizable to some ppl in the city I`m also not any more anonymous to some of the soldiers and officers. It sometimes helps to get S. quicker to the visitors area, before they start one of their brainwashing sessions. I`m listening to different stories so I should finally stop getting so surprised. Changing orders for the arrangements of the content of the pockets, ban on gloves despite coldness....and the movies they watch - old style propaganda. Other than that I guess usual military things - endless counting sessions, waiting, swearing, humiliation, dirt. They have no rights to their bodies - I`m not even mentioning the mind. Moreover visitors loose some of their integrity as well. A number of times we were warned not to sit as close as we were. We are not allowed to kiss, some women are ordered to change the style they cover their hair. And this waiting. For some people endless waiting for "their soldier." We stand in front of the windows starring in the direction from which awaited man will come. At first you just see blue uniform. Too far to guess if that`s the awaited man or not. When the blue shape approaches and turns out not to be the "one" we turn heads again to the beginning of the lane...for some women it lasts for hours...I`m lucky, I am remebered. But it is humiliating. Total dependence on somebody`s mood.

all these man turning into individuals again during visits. With their mothers, fathers, girl friens and friends. Each one of them starts to look different despite same uniform. It must take some unimaginable power not to surrender, to keep individuality intact and survive. Sometimes it`s hard for me to listen to the propaganda they are fed inside. I cant imagine listening to that under the control of the co-soldiers.

last 4 days and S. will be transferred to Adana. it's supposedly good base, just really far away. American troops are stationing in that air base. there is official website for the American part of the base. they dont reveal any importatnt info, but at least you can check the facilities in the base and see few photos. that's not the case with the Turkish part of course. not that American military is transparent or democratic - but at least they know the power of the public opinion. and as far as i know they dont have lectures on Abraham Lincoln as Turks have about Ataturk.

oh, and one more thing: until sildiers shoot their first bullet they wear identification number. after they pass this ridiculous "test of manhood" they are given tags with their own surnames, no more numbers. they become individuals again once they know how to shoot. NO COMMENTS.