Mehmet Topal

I never finish telling you about Diyarbikir. It's a Kurdish town. So is Van and Kars but Diyarbikir is known for it's radicalism. The people more than anywhere else want the world to know that it is safe there. I never even thought about it not being safe. I went to Kashmir/Pakistan in the early 90's. I went to northern Peru and did a trek alone there in the mid 80's when it was swarming with Sendero Luminosos.

Well Diyarbikir is definitely safe but the reason you should go is because of the people. Mehmet Topal for one but I hope he leaves or can leave. The city isn't big enough or sophisicated enough for him. He's tried before getting jobs in other cities in Turkey but because his ID says he's from Diyarbikir he can't get a job elsewhere. Mehmet speaks fluent English/French etc. He's helped foreign journalists by being a translator for the Kurdish language. He last helped a French journalist who never paid him. I'm worried about him. I was even more upset when the address I copied came back. Thank heavens I tried a variation and it went through.

Mehmet showed me around Diyarbikir and refused to take any money. He wasn't the only one who wanted to be my free guide. An English teacher wanted me see how safe and historical Diyarbikir is. And before Mehmet showed me around I had plenty of help from other locals. You need help because the city streets are a maze. Of course, like so many other times I was invited into a chai shop. I had two and was refused payment. See pix of all the men.

I just want the outside world to realize the political situation of the Kurds.