You must be wondering why I never wrote about the protests here on my blog. The beginning of the protests directly coincided with a job offer here in Ankara. This offer came as quite a surprise, and I had decided it was something I really wanted to do. And so began the long process of applying for and waiting for a work permit.
As you know, many protesters were being arrested on a daily basis across the country. Every day I wanted to join them. Afterall, I was NOT afraid of being arrested, of the gas, of the water . . . I wanted to get out there and show my support. But I could not put myself in a position where I would be deported. This was the likely fate of foreign protesters who were caught “breaking the law” during the protests.
So, I wanted to do the next best thing, write about it and get the word out. But every time I sat down to my computer, I became certain that I would be hunted down and sent back. “Free trip home” crossed my mind more than once. But no, I have a family here.
In addition, assuming my butt was going to stay on this land, I wanted to work. Getting that work permit was going to be difficult enough without me going off about the protests. I knew I couldn’t just report it, without inserting my personal opinions. And even if I could, I knew my writings would be misread, misconstrued, misunderstood.
The protests continue to some extent. Just the other day, I read this post on Facebook, “So proud of my neighborhood, of Turkey. Pots and pans galore. Still.” Simultaneously I heard helicopters flying overhead, heading towards that neighborhood.
Adventures in Ankara 
It’s a tough call for foreigners – damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
So true Jack.
What’s the job?
Marketing and business development.