July 14th
Trip Start
Jul 09, 2008
1
7
13
Trip End
Jul 21, 2008
Antolýa,
Turkey
Monday, July 14, 2008
Then we went to the 'old city' of Antalya at the harbor. After walking an awfully long way down a winding narrow stone street, by shops and a Mosque we arrived at the rather small harbor, turned around and made our way back up in the heat. Once at the top we had a chance to take a break, do some shopping, and catch our breath.
From there we boarded the bus and went to the Duden river and its waterfalls- an absolutely beautiful place. We ate there on an outsıde floating dining room. Fresh trout from the trout farm located there. We started with some wonderful bread that was flat, air filled and shaped like a large elongated frisbee. I would tear off a piece, fill it with butter and goat cheese and consume it. I think I ate an entire loaf myself.
After lunch we went to the beach. There we swam in the Mediterranean Sea. An amazing experience. In the distance were rugged mountains with a mystical haze softening their features. The water was salty andwarm, the beach was filled with smooth rock. We relaxed for several hours along with many others at this beautiful place.
Most of all İ want to share with you about the host family tonight. Every family we have met has talked about the work they are doing with others in the community to make a difference- attacking poverty, raising money for scholarships for poor children, among other things. Tonight we met a family who has two special needs children and one normal child. Their response to this challenge has been to become actively engaged in helping to set up 3 special needs schools in the Anatolia region. They are also, through their travel agency which arranges tours for tourists, working on a program to provide special needs children with travel tours- not make any money doing it. The wife, who wore a head scarf, worked in the business and is engaged in helping to raise scholarship funds for poor children to attend school.
The love the family showed was so apparently real. The experience in the home was so moving. İ did not want to leave but wanted to get to know these people better, especially the wife who had one of the most engaging smiles I have ever seen. Through Kamil İ told the family that I did not want to leave, and how impressed I was with their family. The husband, who was a very strong man gave me a big bear hug, kissed me on both cheeks, called me his brother and said through the translator-'you will always be welcomed in our home.'
The sites we have seen today have been special, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea was so exhilarating (and Judith İ am bringing home some rocks from that sea), but meeting my new Turkish friends was the real highlight of the day.
Tomorrow to Urfa..
Aspendos Theater
Comments
Hello from Tulsa
Ed,
The up-dates are great! We are enjoying hearing about the locations and the people. I know you are just loving the food too. You won't want the regular Tulsa food for some time! I am so excited about the rocks you are collecting. They will have a prominent place in the garden. Can't wait to see the pictures. Am planning a wine tasting-photo sharing weekend with the Thomas' upon your return.
Judith
Turkish Delight
Ed.,
I love reading your travelblog of Turkey. Especially enjoyable are your accounts of the native food and Turkish family dinners. You are getting a view of the world that the average traveller rarely gets to see. I haven't quite figured out why you're on this trip (I know that you told me, but I've forgotten) but I'm sure that you'll clarify when we see you next.
Re: Turkish Delight
The reason for the trip is almost as interesting to me as the trip itself. Because of that Ư will save it for when we get together later this month. Had another amazing dayç