Crews Letter #2011 02  Safety at Sea  

You do not have to have Money to have Dignity!

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Good morning Crew,

 

We have been asked about safety in this part of the world.  After all, it is the middle east, sort of. 

 

There is a major national election in Turkey next month.  The Turkish people we know are very concerned that the “Bait and Switch” party which has been in power for much of the last decade will prevail.  As they see it, the current administration has wasted significant amounts of borrowed money on failed social programs, over regulated business in counterproductive ways and contributed heavily to inflation, a weaker and softer lira. 

Sound familiar?

 

Fortunately, they have not had a negative effect on the moral compass of the populace.  A key reason we return to the Med year after year is the dignity of the people.  We have found it in Slovenia, Croatia, Greece and Turkey.  Hospitality is natural.  Doors are not locked.  Trust is not earned; it is the starting point.  Respect is mutual and obvious.  Personal property is just that, personal.

Rings a bit hollow for Americans today?

Huntsville, Alabama and Dallas, Texas, 50 years ago come to mind.  Van Alstyne was close in the 70’s.

After the disaster in Japan last spring, American journalists were surprised that there was no looting.  In the US, we have a riot with looting to celebrate home team championships.  With the exception of major cities in Greece, this sort of self-destruct probably would not happen. 

 Turks are not Arabs!

 

Syria, Arab Spring, is the closest country to the southeast of Marmaris, nearly 360 miles away, Dallas to Memphis.  The stability / safety factor for civility here feels a lot better than any place we can think of in Dallas county, even our own front yard.  Modify that with weather consideration: tornadoes, wild fires, floods and gang violence, you get the picture.

 

You can follow the world news from a different bias at Hurriyet Daily News It is an English language Turkish newspaper. 

 

In 2003, we met a couple from Dallas who were completing a circumnavigation.  Their story is at Voyage of Heartsong III. Last week we docked next to their boat.  New owners, new crew, same boat, they, too, are completing a circumnavigation.  Their solution for dealing with the Somali pirates is interesting and of sound judgment.  Click here for details.

 

A tight luff for windward,

Phyl and Fred

 

 

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