Changes I Noticed From 20 Years Ago.

Pamukkale in the picture: the first time I was here, you could walk anywhere, loll around in the pools, there were hotels right there and no shops. Yesterday? Hotels gone, major amounts of tourists---particularly Russians---, police blowing whistles when people went outside the reduced area where they were permitted, and tons of souvenir kiosks.

Bathrooms at rest stops already have been addressed in an earlier post.

Women covered: they are more frequently seen than 10 years ago and for sure 20 years ago. The current first lady is the first in the Turkish republic history (1923 established) to cover her head. There is growing divide between secular republic Turkey and increasing conservative faction of the Turkish population.