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FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Personally, I like the sound of the drummer. I'm either awake when he comes round or I sleep through it.

Tonight, Izmir is drummer free! (it's about 4.30am and I haven't heard one). This is because of the extreme weather (I waded home knee deep earlier).

So... my advice to all who are disturbed by the drumming is...pray for rain!

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:17 am Post subject:

Have no fear,they'll be back,TONİGHT! Twice as loud. A right bunch of bokkafalars the lot of em!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

What is a 'bokkafalar' ?

Freddie Miles · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 91

On my my narrow street, as soon as they start their "rat-rat-tat, boom-boom-boom" it sets off all the car alarms!
The thing I particularly despised is being asked to pay for all that racket at the end of the fast. As if I ever have. Laughing

(That money for nothing idea is a common thing in Turkey but I will never get used to it. It's like the subtle exhortion of American Halloween, with "trick or treat" which means, in effect, "You pay me for just annoying you")

Actually I think the whole idea of the drumming is a tradition long past its original purpose anyway. I suppose the modern form of this tradition would be Turkcell sending a message that says.. "BOOM. BOOM.Wake up. EAT!"

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:46 am Post subject:

The other thing they do on an all round the year basis is take money off you so you can park your car in THEİR street .Don't expect a ticket back after you have paid anything between 2-5 ytl goes towards the drink (raki) fund.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Freddie, that must be it!

Because the storm set off the car alarms the drummer could stay at home - he figured everyone would be awake anyway!

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:48 am Post subject:

Just a had a weekend away in my beloved Davutlar ,not a single drummer to be heard ,total bliss.Looks like the country bumpkins have discovered that new fangled invention ,AlarmClocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much for tradition !

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

I like the drummers, though they are banned in Beyoglu this year. However, this morning I was awake when they were going around the other neighbourhoods and could hear them echoing across the Golden Horn. It was one of those memorable Istanbul moments. I am sorry it is a tradition that is passing.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:42 pm Post subject:

Are they really banned in Beyoglu now? I just moved into a new flat in Tunel (by the Russian consulate) and there sure as hell is a drummer, or at least someone pretending to be one. He passes directly past my bedroom window and does a mean james brown funky drummer turn. I am not imagining things!

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I think they are banned everywhere in Istanbul now. I had one on the first day but he is no longer with us.