Spring in Bebek
The other day I saw hundreds of storks circling high over Bebek on their northward migration. The blooms on the trees have faded and the leaves are still only brilliant green specks, but the street medians suddenly are a riot of color. Tulips and other spring flowers are so densely planted you can’t see the ground. The colors are balm to the eyes after a long gray winter. I’ve heard some people complain about the enormous cost of these plantings that apparently are all over the city. The money, they argue, could have been used to help the many poor families whose problems aren’t solved by attractive streets. Still, our eyes are glad for it. The weekend is predicted to bring rain and poyraz winds.
Istanbul’s mayor said the municipality had planted 12 million tulips across the city this year at a cost of 2 million YTL. It has planted 23 million tulips since 2003. (click for article)
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