UPDATED: Turkey: Unexciting Ankara

We arrived in Ankara, two days before the election without any issue. Apparently many people were traveling to their polling places. On our walk to the hotel, other people were heading to a rally with flags. John made sure that we didn't come close to any rally.

UPDATE: Turns out there was no need to flee Ankara. The May 14 election failed to produce a winner so there was a May 24th run-off won by Erodgan leading to no dramatic events.

Even though Ankara is not a usual tourist destination, being the capital, albeit new, we thought it might be worth a look. Like Amman, since becoming the capital of the new republic 100 years ago,, Ankara population exploded from 30 thousand to 5 million.

All the guidebooks rave about the Museum of Turkish Civilization. We were not impressed. We also checked out the Fortified Old Town, none too special; excellent views over the city, plus a souvenir gauntlet. On election Sunday, we scooted out of Ankara first thing in the morning.

Some views of Ankara from the Fortified Old Town (Citadel); plus the souvenir street.








Museum of Turkish Civilization.








Night views of Ankara from the top floor of our hotel.