Posted by Izmir, Turkey.
Early morning, late October 2012.
The city is dressed in national pride. The imposing figure of Kemal Ataturk, the flag, the color red.
It is Republic Day, the day that Turkey commemorates the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on 29 October 1923.
0805 hrs. The bench is empty.
0809 hrs. The bench is occupied by two women.
The woman on the left is young.
The woman on the right is old.
It is nor known whether they are local, or visitors from another place in Turkey.
I would err on the side of them being visitors.
Locals would not need to be on the spot so early in the morning.
Visitors arrive early, most likely on a bus, and then they have to spend the time until the celebrations take place.
I would also suggest they come from a place that is nearby in the Izmir region, allowing them to arrive in Izmir at around 8 o’ clock.
It is not known whether they are related.
The distance between them indicates that they most likely are not related.
But then, there are no men accompanying them. Is it likely that the two women visited Izmir on their own?
Their bodies’ posture indicates that they are not talking, they are just gazing at the old customs house.
The parade ground is almost empty.
This is the best time of the event. The time that is full of anticipation.
Of a break in the daily routine.
Of a visit to Izmir.