I now sit on the table where they all play Okay
Rapidly changing the pieces from place to place
Betting, wining and losing

I have arrived few hours back in this city which is the doorway for Mesopotamia
Diyarbakir, land of the tribe of the Beker

Here I meet very cheerful and softly heart spoken people,
easygoing and friendly

A people who have been told they are foreigners in their own land
Land which has been home for more 4000 years
The kurds have been kept a part discriminated by the way they naturally speak and behave

Long time back they were connected to an ancient religion and deep connection to the earth and the divine.
Nowadays most are muslims,
and have left forgotten the practices and belied of their forefathers and mothers

Advised not to come here,
I am now happy I followed that which seemed clear signs to follow the initial call
On the ferryboat from Nemrut Dag to Sivereki with the happy istanbuli family on vacation, wondering which road to take,
one message with Mahmut's contact in Diyarbarkir I got..

Here I meet him,
a young outspoken and very friendlt Kurdish sociologist who has been for the last years accompanying journalists as a translator in the region.

A natural host he is
who welcomes, accompanies, connects, witnesses and help to overcome the barries of the language

For the week being he is hosting a young american journalist.
Nicole has been based in Istanbul for the last 9 months as the local correspondent of an emerging international online newspaper.

The feeling of rightness was completed when I come to know that the host to offer me a room is his house is Han.

Han, the coreian peace worker who has been living in Diyarbarkir for 5 years
A placid, thin, long pony taled hair, 43 years-old man,
who speaks fluent Kursidh and denies himself to learn Turkish.
A man who is now dedicating himself to finding and understanding the unspoiled historical places of this region.

Place that only natives would know about and e kapet protected, in secret.
Veiled, sacred, meaningful and powerful places
just like the black covered woman who walk on the streets of the city.

Just like my soul sister and friend Kevser.
Young, beautiful hazel almond like eyes,
purple and black covered head and body,
who gracefully shared the journey sitting on the back sit of the minibus with me.

Kevser is newly married with her high school love,
currently teaches English for kids in some local school.
But she wants to travel the world

Hazel almond's like eyes which are willing to set gaze on far away landscapes in Turkey and elsewhere.

Pure, genuine and open hearted, Kevser
Who has thought me a little more about the relationship with God
She who has started covering her head and doing five times a day namaz
to be able to be closer to Him.
She who is closer to God
and emanating Him through her eyes and smile

As I step gently and respectful on this land,
wnich is the doorway for Mesopotamia
I have mi heart perched with an deep sense of love
that is blurred with deep sadness.