What did you love about Turkey?
After 8 weeks in TURKEY people always asked that question. Our answer is always the same.
The People!
But then there were the sights – not the big glamour pusses like Ephesus – but the Little Things.
For the people who lived with their animals and vegetable garden on the other side of the Barhal River, this bridge was a lifeline – a practical thing – not something of beauty.
To me it is one of a mish mash of little things that spring to mind when I hear –
What did you love about Turkey?
Photographed on our one week loop road journey from Trabzon.
Have a Fantastic Friday.
The Ruins of Ani in Eastern Turkey
Hi Jan,
I have greatly enjoyed your posts on your recent trek into Turkey. I totally agree that it can be the little local encounters that make the most meaning — like your picture of the bridge. It speaks a lot about the humble folks there.
You had another post recently with the goats you met there, and I know that sweet feeling, having had the same experience in Spain where we came across a man leading his flock down a dirt road. He stopped to chat and was all smiles, despite a language barrier. It didn’t matter one bit — him speaking a mile a minute Catalon dialect, and us saying our meager two-word Spanish phrases. We all kept nodding and smiling and left with a warm feeling inside.
Those tiny meetings stay forever in my memory!
Happy New Year,
Josie
We had many animal encounters in Turkey and I cannot wait to share them all. I agree the language barrier need not deter from an experience.
Hi Jan, I love many sights in Turkey but, like you, in the end its always the people experience and the little things the linger in m my memory – Like the family who invited us to their home for tea, the family who showed us to make dolma, the hospitality of simplicity of people in the villages, etc. I like your bridge image. It speaks a lot of simplicity and tranquillity of the village life. It sounds like you really had a wonderful local immersion in Turkey. It was great you got to travel there for 8 weeks. You’re inspiring me to go back. It’s been 14 years since I was there with a friend and cousin and I’d love to go back and explore it with Keith. Turkey was one of my favorite pre-K travel:)
Thanks Marisol. I found having a car (at least some of the time) was a very good way of getting out into the country. The times we rented cars provided great memories for us. I also love the animal experiences in the country. It would have been a wonderful experience being invited into someone’s home to make dolma. Turkish people are generous. 🙂
Turkey sounds amazing! Love the idea of the mesh-mash of it all – that bridge rocks 🙂
I love looking at my photos of Turkey. They remind me of the little things. Thank goodness for Digital cameras!