Sunday, June 01, 2008

Istanbul 2

Arrived at Istanbul – 18 years since my last visit when Paul and I cycled along the Black Sea Coast. As we hurtle in with our taxi driver I find it hard to believe that we survived on our bikes when I see the speed the cars go along the coast road.

“Where are you from?” asks the Taxi driver. “Ingliterra?” “Tonebayr bad. Bush bad. Sharon bad”.

It is a strange thing. All through the 80s when I was travelling people would say “England! Mar Ga Ret Thatcher!” I would grimace. “No, she is good, really good” they would say. Now Blair has achieved what even she could not: made Britain into a pariah state. It does not feel good.

The photo is of Rowan showing typical Palmour regard of the sign.

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