Errol.ca

Well, the last week and a bit has been hectic as I tried to cover so much of this massive country. Turkey is wonderful, mysterious, fun, adventurous (but not in the dangerous sense, I’ve had better luck getting myself into trouble elsewhere in the world (Other than my almost dangerous bouldering incident, there has been no hint of trouble in Turkey)). Yes, it would be really nice to have another week, as I have been from Istanbul to Goreme to Kayseri to Urfa to Kahta, to Karadut to the top of Mount Nemrut to Kahta, to Mersin, to Anatalya, to Olympos, to Kas to Fethiyh to Bodrum, to Seluck to Denzili to Pumakkale to Denzli to Seluck to Canakkale. (By the time this blog is published I will be in Istanbul though Bandima, and if you’re looking for these places on a map, I’ve left out all the accents.)

Yes, this has been a little frenetic, I’ve seen lots of things, as I am on one final travel binge before settling down – like a fat kid eating his last bag of “Smarties” (with apologies to fat kids everywhere, but you’re not big boned, you’re fat. Run, run like you’re afraid!). You would imagine I would slow down to enjoy the moment; however, I am just working harder to see everything I want to see. Yes adventures have to end. Everything ends eventually. Yes, a dark ride indeed. [mumbling something incoherent about the travesty that we live for such a brief time…]

I am writing this on the bus, between Seluck and Canakkale, the busses here are nice and well ventilated. As I’ve grown more and more attached to the Turkish people I find myself more compelled to do silly things like this. Normally, I would never take out my laptop in public. However, the people here are honest and the children sitting beside me seem more enamored with the concept of a laptop then anything else.

Beside me is a child who is probably three years old. He doesn’t understand that I don’t speak Turkish. He looks at me with these huge deep questioning dark eyes and talks to me in well, very expressive Turkish. I know he’s asking me questions and singing songs to me. However, I have no idea how to respond. Then, I just smile, laugh and stroke my chin and pretend that he has just said something profound. Then shrug my shoulders. I expect that he is unsure why I’m so boring, or …mute. I seem to be interesting enough to keep his attention. It’s quite endearing.

I remember in my readings on child psychology, that children of this age assume that everybody knows everything that they do – or have done… so being deceitful is difficult for them (as they assume you know they are lying). I find myself wondering if he has any conception that have no idea what he is saying, and if I could explain it – would he really believe me?

The Turkish scenery passes me by on the bus window. Inland it is rather arid. I struggle to stay hydrated. My hangover from last night is just starting to fade. Yet another reminder that I need to stay hydrated, brought to you by my liver (damn you liver work harder.(it’s not my livers fault, I can feel it when I blink)).

Last night was a Turkish festival where there were celebrating a great victory that took place in Selcuk. I can’t remember what it was… the veterans here have impressive guns and moustaches! It’s quite cool to watch them all parade by. I can’t believe that I left my camera in my room. Silly me!.

Yep Turkey- thank you – and I’ll be heading to see Troy soon. Ah, Pirams’ walls. I’m going to touch you. I can’t wait.