< Background of ASTI

Bus stations are place which people can feel every feelings such as happiness, sadness, curiosity, sympathy or fear because people say goodbye to each other there, they meet each other there after long travels, they wonder when the bus arrive or leave and they see poor people who live in there. These feelings go on like that. Especially, large cities’ bus stations as ASTI we can observe that. ASTI is the name of the Ankara’s bus station and it is one of the biggest terminals in Turkey. Almost everybody who lives in Ankara has been in ASTI at least one time. Some of them have gone there to say goodbye their friends or families. Some of them have gone there to go to other cities in Turkey. Otherwise, a few of them have gone there to look and see what is going on there, what are people doing in there and how do they working and living there. One of the people, among them, is me. I have gone ASTI many times to go my hometown. However, this time was different. I went there to talk staffs, passengers, tradesmen, to look around different aspect and to take photos.
Arriving ASTI is not so difficult. You can use Ankaray, EGO, shared taxi, taxi or your own car. I preferred shared taxi this time because I had no luggage which I had to carry. First of all, my short ASTI trip started at entry of Ankaray. Passengers were walking on moving way there to ease their luggage. Almost all of them were in hurry. I think, even though, they could catch their buses easily, they were in hurry because of the atmosphere of this place. They were like competitor. After passing there, I went to information to get permission for taking photos. Since taking photo is forbidden in ASTI without permission. However, permission is not enough so a security officer accompanied me while wandering. I noticed there are many peddlers in ASTI. They are selling books, foods, drinks etc. Besides there are canteens, restaurants, cafes, shops which sell jewellery, toys or dress in there. Their prices are almost twice as much as normal because of the rent. I talked some of their owners. They have been there approximately for ten years. When I asked them what has been changed for ten years they answered “nothing has changed, maybe passengers’ appearance only.” and they complained “ There is still too much noise.” Honestly, I can not imagine how they endure the noise. It is so disturbing. When I was there, It was hailing so its sound joined the usual noise. Unfortunately, that was terrible. Also, there are shoeblacks there. One of them brought his child with him. While the boy was reading his book he was doing his job. Then I saw a painter in ASTI. After being surprised I talked the painter who is drawing portrait. He is too old but he has to do this job to earn money. He said he had to leave nursing home because of the quota. After all, you can find every kind of people in ASTI even mentally deranged people. They are living in there because they could not find other place to take shelter. According to the security officer, passengers do not complain these people. Maybe, they could not notice them. Several months ago I saw a woman who was sleeping under the couches and I thought she was waiting her bus. However, it was not like what it seems. She always lives there and sleeping under the couch is normal for her. Furthermore, passengers are reading books, listening to music, thinking, talking to each other or just sitting while they are waiting their bus’ departure time. When I was one of them, I am looking at people around and thinking to write about them. Especially man who are yelling Istanbul, Istanbul or Aksaray, Aksaray! They do not care where the passengers will go, they are only trying to take their luggage and taking away them their firm. That is so weird for many of us.
In brief, ASTI is the one of the most crowded, noisy, and interesting place in Ankara according to me. Also this place is not hygienic for their employees. I know that since an employee complained to me. He said I did not feel safe in terms of health here because everything was open there. Although I hate ASTI because of my terrible experiences, I had a lot fun while observing there. For instance, Some people were caring you, some were not or some turned back while taking photos, some waved and said “take my photo”. I could see several acts of people and several types of people. They were useful experiences and have a nice trip dear passengers!