And the Patriotism Award goes to… Turkey!  Saturday, August 30th was Turkey’s Zafer Bayrami (Victory Day).  This official holiday is dedicated to the Turkish Armed Forces and commemorates the victory at the final battle in Dumlupınar which led to the defeat of the invading Greek army, and eventually led to the creation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

It’s crazy – everywhere, I mean EVERYwhere, Turkish flags are flying.  Flags down the side of buildings, in apartment windows, in the windows of Gucci, Prada, Zara stores, hanging above the streets, out of car windows, off of city buses.  It was a sight you could not miss.  Painting the town red took on a new definition for me on Saturday.  

See for yourself: Zafer Bayrami – flags everywhere