Blue Boutique Izmir

... familiar to me, I find I need assistance more and am remarkably getting it!

So, for a little blip on the map overshadowed by the larger center Izmir, I think we did quite well for a few days. And for being sick, nothing beats warm blankets, hot shower and toilet nearby. Hopefully we'll be able to set out tomorrow, although it may be by bus. Nice weather on the days we're sick, and now it's raining when we feel better. Of course!

... like the quality we've all become used to seeing on the pitch these days. The line up (if my tired and slow brain remembers correctly, if not please correct me) was: KB in goal, Faye, Bass, Alex and Unitt in defence, Woody, Fara, Buet, Jess and Sue in midfield with Jody up top on her own. It started off slowly, and we were very aware of the Turkish crowd looking at us and watching what we were up to. Naturally we clapped and cheered in all the right places, and kept our heads down when ...

... making kick off.) The taxi driver pulled up outside a football ground. The wrong football ground. The driver had taken us to the old stadium, and we wanted the new stadium. Fortunately the taxi driver didn't just abandon us, he apologised alot, got directions to the proper place and took us right up to the gate of the proper stadium.
And we were there - at the stadium! The security team had a laugh with us, they didn't speak English but enjoyed inspecting our ...

Walked to the beach via some more of the roman ruins. The beach is good; shingle but with very clear water. Its also incredibly hot so I take a quick dip and realise I've forgotten my towel. The heat is debilitating so I head back to the hostel. And spend the rest of the day snoozing or on the net. In the evening a party of 18 american ...

... I had walked up a long road to a village that was basically to the
south southwest of the acropolis. Or as I was thinking while walking, if you thought of
where I started as the north, and call it 12 o'clock, and calling the acropolis the center of
the dial, the village would be say something like at 7:30. The road, however, seemed to end
at that village. So I asked a fellow if there was a way down to the town. He kindly ...

... was cool to see nonetheless. I think at this point we have reached the maximum quota for ruins until at least China. Anyway, we spent the rest of the day after Ephesus in the Turkish resort town of Kusudasi where we enjoyed our finest sutlac yet. At the end of the day we seperated as Russ and I were headed to Ankara to pick up our Kazak visas while Evren returned to Izmir to attend a Turkish wedding and meet us in Bishkek.

... hub, tomatoes stacked high, and took a chance they might sell me some. All they guys were helpful and made me welcome. One guy gave me a big bag of tomatoes and two young guys treated me to tea. After Alanya and Antalya I'd missed this side of Turkey, the heart of Turkey, it's peoples' abundant generosity and big smiles. All the tourist buses pass straight through here along the trunk road to the resorts and I doubt they ever get the opportunity to meet the people of Beymelek ...

It was a long but beautıful drive down the coast yesterday, from Canakkale to Selçuk, past gorgeous vıllages complete wıth stone cottages, olıve groves, and dead carcasses hangıng from meat hooks ın front of shops. We got ınto Selçuk quıte late, just enough tıme for a walk around the town and a dınner of rıce stuffed vıne leaves and bulgar wıth spıced beans ın an outdoor cafe, roofed wıth vınes. Thıs ıs our ...

The bus ride from Konya to Izmir stops in several cities along the way, so the ride takes an overall 8 to 9 hours. Upon arriving in Izmir, the fam and I transferred from our large tour bus to an uncomfortable minibus which drove us to Selcuk, a city about one hour from Izmir. In Selcuk a man from our hotel picked us up and drove us to the Ephesus Botique. Situated in a little out-of-the-way village about twenty minutes from Kusadasi, Selcuk, or Ephesus (twenty minutes from ...

Our cruise stopped off in Turkey for a day. We toured a bazar/casbah and drank some tea.
I remember on our land approach, being surprised at how deep green colour the hills were, popluated with so many trees. The city buildings were a beautiful cream white colour - sublime beauty.