Ankara

Another early start off to visit Sait Ulusoy Vocational Education School for mentally disabled people. After a warm welcome from staff and clients, we were treated to tea and discussion followed by a tour of the school. I was so impressed by their art work that I bought a framed silk screen print without really considering how I might get it home..

Anyway, next visit was to - get this - Ministry of Justice General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Directorate of Children and Youth Closed Prison. In other words, The Jail, which pitifully was for teenage offenders. After much airport-style security measures, we were shown round the cells, exercise areas, family rooms, counselling rooms, classrooms, library and various workshop areas, including arts and craft where I, as aforementioned reporter for group project, was elevated to official foreign dignitary and was presented with a ceramic and a copper plate from the Prison Director. Haven't really considered how I might get them home..

From the closed prison we were able to walk over to Ankara Sincan Open Prison first of all for lunch and then for a tour of the furniture workshops and sewing room where they produce 'greens' for hospital theatre wear. Prisoners in the open prison all have to work and can continue with employment, education and professional development on leaving prison.

Late afternoon we headed back into Ankara and wandered about the market bazaar for an hour before visitng the Anatolia Civilization Museum, a magnificent Ottoman building beneath Ankara Castle whence we ventured off to next. By this time of the day the Headteacher from Romania had taken over as the main translator..

This is a view from atop the the castle walls - I liked the contrast of the old buildings in foreground against the new ones in the background. You get a fantastic vista from the Castle and indeed we watched the black rain clouds coming in from miles away before the pouring rain forced off the battlement walls back to our transport.

Another stop off to quickly see the oldest part of Ankara before back to the hotel for quick change and then out again for dinner.

See this group report, not one word has yet been written..