Thank you Gokyum, that´s good to know. I found this analysis to be informative, and interesting. 

I´ve read and enjoyed hiIs works. Thus far I´ve read:

Snow

My Name is Red

the New Life

White Castle

Black Book

Istanbul

I´ve found them good reads, if they are great literature, or not, is not for me to say. I like the stream of thought, use of images and semi surrealistic style. One theme I´ve found in all his books is the subject of change, throwing away the old and bringing in the new. We see that all over the world, it´s not unique to Turkey, and I do find it disturbing myself. So many old and beautiful treasures are destroyed so some new thing can take it´s place. I think preservation is more work, as a great deal of tedious sifting through is required. 

You will find he is not a popular author in Turkey. Why, what and all, I don´t get into. I´ve read his works translated by different people and still found them interesting. What they are like in the original Turkish, I can´t say. 

Most Turks I´ve met steer me to Yaşar Kemal, who I´ve also read and greatly enjoyed. It´s unfortunate, most his works are not translated into English. 

Thank you, did you know most fabrics are treated with formaldehyde to keep insects from eating them? I worked in various aspects of the industry, and found it actually burns the skin and eyes when you go into some fabric shops. Formaldeahyde off gasses, leaving an accumlulation of toxics in it´s wake. 

I found this, it would have been nice if they told a bit more about the issue. Most of the items in the Green Peace link are shown to be hormone disruptors. I wonder if that could have anything to do with all the gender confusion and mixing up that has been going on as of late? Male frogs have been turned into girl frogs....hmmm

Yes, I´m sure they are a delightful addition. Next time I´ll have to add them. Thanks for the tip. 

How tragic, I see it´s on the World Monuments Fund watch list. What a tragedy its destruction would be. Good luck saving it. We destroyed Penn Station in the early 60´s.

How tragic, I see it´s on the World Monuments Fund watch list. What a tragedy its destruction would be. Good luck saving it. We destroyed Penn Station in the early 60´s.

I think you are on the right track it´s better to ask for blessings than curses.....asking for Mercy works pretty well too. 

actually, this time I did not use lentils. Here is what I did:

white beans

garbanzo

barley

basmati rice

figs

apricots

piloncillo, which is hard unrefined sugar. I like it because it´s healthier & has a soft taste.

walnuts

almonds

mulberries aka dut

cinnamon

rose water

pomegranet seeds

salt and water

I don´t measure anything, just what looks right. I leave the piloncillo in until the sweetness preferred is reached. 

wonderful version, thanks for posting Trip. 

Ummm....interesting. I´m a bit more of a traditional type...older I guess. Here is one of my favorite versions, although I must say the Cem Karaca, Baris Manço one is probably my favorite. I love Cahit Berkay´s introduction to the piece. He is one of my favorite Turkish musicians. 

From my perspective it seems a very popular piece, even with the young. Is this true?