Turkish delight (3) : Walking in Ankara

During my one and a half year in Ankara I walked quite a bit.

The daily walk from my home in Kavaklidere to the Hacettepe University Campus in Shihiye takes me 45 minutes. In this way I compensate somewhat for the lack of other physical activities such as cycling or dancing Argentinean tango, things that I used to do in another life, time and place.

Despite the presumed beneficial effects for health and condition, walking in Ankara is far from safe or healthy. And I am not even referring to the almighty car drivers who believe the streets are theirs.

Walking in Ankara is in fact a huge health hazard because there are no smooth or horizontal surfaces anywhere. Instead there are numerous slopes, potholes, high curbs, concrete "mushrooms," almost invisible and treacherous steps and gaps, and so on.

To illustrate what I mean, here some photos taken this week in the neighbourhood where I live. Anybody living in Ankara will confirm they are perfectly representative for sidewalks in Ankara city center in general.

Accident prone as I am, during my first months I stumbled and twisted my ankle several times.

The last time has been some months ago now; touch wood! As a matter of fact, I have learned to walk in a new way, watching my steps at all times. I completely unlearned using high heels.

Nevertheless I still often have that "narrow escape" feeling, when I just manage to avoid or correct a misstep.

I have just four more days in Ankara, four more days to watch my steps... I just hope I will reach the airport unscathed.

Next week, with a wedding coming up soon, I will need to relearn walking with high heels again ....