Cesme, Turkey- 6 days

Havent written in the last couple of days.. who know why! My last 10 days in Turkey have been quite a roller coaster! 

All good things. When I said goodbye to Rosa I traveled to Izmir: a city on the coast, where you can go o beaches and some ruins. As the bus pull in to the city there was a something that made me feel lots of negativity. Not sure what, just did not like the energy of the people, the energy of the city. 

Stayed there for 2 nights. On the day of arrival which it was almost 5pm, went to the marina, ate lunch while reading a book and watching the sunset who was fightthing the cliuds to come in. 

On Day 2 I visited Ephesus. At this point in the trip an after seeing so many ruins, it was just another city. Yes, it huge, yes it has been preserve very well. yes i had a blast taking some pictures but no more than that. The night before I met an Argentinean girl, Paola (I know she will thank me for the girl compliment) and we went together. We had a good time, ate some turkish lunch.

From here I left to Cesme where I had in mind to spend 2 days. I arrived to a hostel/hotel big but small. It was quiet. It was beautiful with white walls and blue touches. It had a pool, lots of flowers and lots and lots of good energy. I was given my own room and met an american boy which I would reserve the comment becuase it is not worth it to talk bad. 

Every day I went to a different beach: Altinkum, Ilica, Dayla, Alacati. Long empty beaches. Dark deep blue sea with soft white beaches. Each beach no more than 10-15 minutes away from where I was staying. 

Cesme itself is a typical beach town: sunsets, sea breeze, lots of people in summer mode, little hotels and supermarkets, almost no cars and above all things it was quiet and it gave peace. 

On Shabbat I decided not to use the phone for all of Saturday. Spent the morning reading by the pool. Motze Shabbat I bought a coloring doodle book and had a relaxing dinner by the sunset as I colored in. Bought a new book and finished it 3 days!

On Sunday night I went to a local restaurant where they served home made Turkish food very very cheap and very very good. Of course I brought my book along! not only I enjoyed the food but the fact that I sat there for 1.5 hrs reading, laughing and enjoying the moment made it promise myself that at least once a month I should do the same in Miami.  How beautiful it is not to have the phone and get carried away by a book, by its fantasy and its stories. Truly a peaceful experience. 

On Monday morning I met Gosha: polish girl who was sharing the door room with me and it happen that we both wanted to go windsurfing. When I woke up I felt lazy and thought about not going but when i spoke to Gosha and she was going I was convinced!

What a great day! now the regreat is not have coming before and doing it for more than a day! I met Derek (the instructor) who was great! we had a great laugh! after passing out in my chair of exhaustion- now it makes it harder to understand how durng all those years my dad would sit all 3 of us and take us for a ride! wow!!! not only kol haàkavod but the energy of after also having to deal with us! jajaja.

Dereks girlfriend was doing yoga with 2 ladies and I joined it! I got 2 classes for the price of one! jajaja.

With Gosha we went to eat dinner to Alacati: a quite expensive area for Turkish people. We sat at a restaurant who served only traditional Turkish food. It was the most expensive meal I had in Turkey and it was one of the best ones. When I say most expensive we paid $25 each! jejeje... I been use to eat for $10.

This gave the closing to a perfect 3 weeks in Turkey! A country who is beautoful, amazing, and unique! A country whos people are warm and caring, whose food is tasteful and spicy, its fruits and veggies are super cheap. Cheers to Turkey! I will be back!

A day in paradise

Blue water surrounded by mountains. In the far distance but you can clearly see it, there is a mountain with snow. To my left tens of gorëk boats sailing. Little houses spread around the mountain. Just like a movie! The Turkish flag waving from the boat. The sun is strong, there are white strokes of clouds on the sky. The breeze is cold and fresh, the smell of the sea is refreshing and makes you feel alive. 

We are on a Görek boat visiting the 12 Islands. On this boat we will stop on 5 islands spending an hour on each of them and then going back. Lunch is included with choice of chicken and fish: of course chicken!

The boat had capacity for 75 people, it's low season, thank god there are no more than 25 people today. The boat is divided in 3 areas with foam things to lay down. We sit on the top own, it's the quiet one and away from all the chaos.

On the first stop I see two boys jumping of the boat into the water and of course I'll do it (it reminded me of the time I did the same in Eilat). The water is warm on the top and super duper cold on the bottom. As I jumped and my body hits the water its a shock! With the jumping you go so deep that on the way back you have time to make sure everything is in the right spot! Jajajaja

The water is clear! Not Miami clear, drinking water clear! You can see the bottom, the sun reflecting deep under.

We swam to a cave! It's so cool! I thought this things you could only see them in movies or pictures! Never thought I would be able to see them first hand.

Once back in the boat it's lunch time! A nice buffet table is made with 4 different salads and a nice grilled chicken is served! Omg! The fish was served as an actual fish an everything, face included! 

We met two boys and sat together. They are from Turkey: Tavil from Istanbul visiting his friend Azis who works in Fethiye. They are nice, down to earth, and fun.

Some of the islands were beautiful and some other ahhh not so much, but the entire situation made everything beyond beautiful, picture perfect!

It's 5 o'clock! Time to sail back to Fethiye but... Upssss, the engine does not start! Jajajaja. The fact that we were not so many it was a very relaxed (at least for us, the captain and crew were soooo concern) we even were thinking how cool to sleep under the stars and see the sunset out there!  Well... After 30 mins they make the engine work but now.... Ancla it's not coming up! Jajajaja... The entire crew, 5 people including captain, had to pull it up.

It took them 20 minutes to been able to bring it up! 

Now yes, ready to sail back I say with my legs hanging out, facing the islands with Fethiye on my back. The breeze is cold and fresh, the view is breathtaking. It was one of the moments were the best picture I could take was the one with my eyes! Treasure this views, smells, and feelings forever! 

People that made a difference

In every human interaction there is a relationship been form. With those interactions we are offer the opportunity to create an impact and build on memories that will be remember.

There are few people that deserve a special post! These are the people who made by stay in Kapadokya unique!

-Killian 

French guy, with red long curly hair.  He has such a peaceful aura, a beautiful smile, and radiated lots of positive energy. We started talking as if we had known each other for years! How great and amazing what he is doing: wasn't happy at work and decided to quit and travel for a year with two goals: no airplanes and China will be final destination. Personally I think he might be going after that if money and body are ok.

His family spread around the world! Has 3 brothers living in Canada, Russia and France. Has done quite some traveling around the globe. 

He is funny, silly, and very talkative. Killians like certain structures and sets short goals in order to keep the traveling going. He shared stories and you know that good things happen to good people because his energy is sooooooo good that it attracts the best of each of us. He is very easy going.

He got a smart phone for the trip. He does not have Facebook neither Instagram, he uses no social media. Every month or so he send a hand written letter to the parents where he adds some pictures from that part of the trip. In addition he sends postcards to some good friends and family.

It was a plus meeting him! It had brought a different perspective to the traveling, had encourage me and made me gain confidence about the next steps in these journey. I hope our paths cross again. 

-Fati: souvenir shop seller man.

 He was laughing at how much time we spent taking pictures of the evil eye tree. I don't blame him: we spent at least 10 minutes.

He asked us where we are from and when I say Argentina he starts talking about mate. He confessed that he tried smoking the Yerba to see if it would have similar effects than weed! Jajajajajajajajajaja. The more I think about it the more I laugh!

We talked for 10 minutes, helped him attracting tourist, I bought the snow globe from him. He asked me to add him on Facebook and gave us some suggestions on how to continue the trip. We spoke about couch surfing and he laughed on how Rosa and I choose the host!

-Burdham: the guy who gave us a ride. 

Guy in the mid forties! Couldn't be more thankful that he stopped! We could have been soooo wet! We did some quick conversation. He gave us some suggestions on things to do in the valley but we did not understood him. He had a thick accent. First ride we get from the trip.

-Bold: Julia's friend

He claims he is 37yrs old. He looked like in his mid fifties. Hard to believe. Julia met him thru couch surfing. He hosts his guests at the carpet shop and helps them arrange cheap tours and thins to do. He owns a carpet shop: "The flying carpet".

Since we met him he was friendly and welcoming. He sent his friend to a town 30mins away to buy Kapadokya home made wine for us! :) he also gave us suggestions on what to do, and explained us about the history and designs of carpets.

-Adem: Oz Cappadocia (bike, ATV, scooter shop owner)

 We met him on Thursday morning when we rented the bikes. He is so good looking and has beautiful blue eyes. He is friendly, likes to talk, laughs a lot, and is very helpful. 

We rented 2 bikes from him. He gave us a good deal and explained the places we should go, how to get to them and what to do in case of a flat tire!

When we returned the bikes and we ask him to reimburse us some money for earlier drop off, instead he invited us on an ATV ride at 4:30 to get some pics for his flyers.

He was soooo much fun during the ride! He made jokes all the time, made us feel welcome and comfortable! 

During our stay in Göreme we kept going to visit him and we were always welcome with a smile and a hug! Totally recommend Oz Capadoccia!