Budapest Tomorrow March 29, 2007
Posted by cpapuschak in Travel.add a comment
I have been really bad for updating this blog recently, but nothing of any interest has happened in the last two weeks. I have been spending my days in the library, busily working away on my school work.
Tomorrow, things pick up. I’m going to Budapest for a week to meet some friends. I can’t wait to go. We’re staying at a friend’s place in downtown Pest, so I’m excited to save some money 
However, I can look forward to a Turkish midterm and essay when I return. I’m not excited for that 
Kapadokya March 13, 2007
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I organized a little tour for a group of people to Göreme (Kapadokya) this weekend, and just returned last evening. I didn’t want to come back It is good to leave Ankara once in a while because spending too much time in the city makes me depressed.
The Kapadokya region is absolutely beautiful and we had a great time. A group of us rented scooters and motorcycles and toured around. It was great until nightfall came when we were more than 100 km from town. It was a COLD ride home, and we were all a little sick afterwards because none of us were prepared for it. I think I got frostbite on my fingers.
We also went horseback riding and I can now add yet another animal to my allergy list. That is a little upsetting, but we had a good time regardless.
I came home to find the Internet working in our flat. Only took 6 months to get that set up The Turkish government has lifted its ban on YouTube. Apparently Interpol is now looking for the person who posted the video. It was posted from a Greek address, but apparently it originated from somewhere in the UK. This is a messed up story
Turkey Blocks YouTube March 8, 2007
Posted by cpapuschak in News.add a comment
Cheers to Facebook for bringing this to my attention. CNN reports that a Turkish court has blocked access to YouTube.com because of videos allegedly insulting Atatürk.
Paul Doany, head of Turk Telekom, said:
We are not in the position of saying that what YouTube did was an insult, that it was right or wrong… A court decision was proposed to us, and we are doing what that court decision says.
Despite public declarations by government officials to the contrary, freedom of speech in Turkey is still threatened.
Losing Friends March 7, 2007
Posted by cpapuschak in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
When I left Canada last August I had a nervous feeling in my gut that there were people who I may never see again after setting foot on that airplane. There are few things that scare me more than losing a friend or family member without being given the chance to say good-bye. We are rarely given the opportunity to say good-bye as we ought to. Yet in the back of my mind was always the fear that I would lose someone I loved while I was on the other side of the world.
That is precisely what has happened. Brian Mazza, the editor of the local newspaper, The Mountaineer—my tutor, role model, and inspiration—has passed away. In such a small and tightly-knit community, his efforts kept the newspaper moving. Brian was The Mountaineer. His death is a sharp blow to the voice of our community. It is no overstatement to say he held, and will always hold, a position close to the heart of our community.
After my parents, he was perhaps the strongest influence encouraging me to attend university. Working under him brought me closer to the realization of what I wanted to do with my life. Losing him comes as a personal blow to me.
Beyond that, I don’t know what to say. I can only pray for his family.
