Castles, Caves and Carob

The end of another month.  My, how time flies.  I am lucky enough to have had my sister and mother visiting for the past week+, and so far, so wonderful!

Love my sister!

Yesterday, a neighbor-friend and his cousin took the three of us to Alanya Castle,

Alanya Castle

which was built in the late 13th century and has the most beautiful views, as it is situated at the very top of a peninsula that juts out to, and plummets down into the sea.

Beautiful Alanya

There are two castles on that peninsula.  One of them is nestled at the end of a circuitous path in a wooded area, and I, the directionally challenged guide, could not find it, but we had fun on the way, getting lost and picking carob pods to eat later.

Can I cook with those?

After that, we headed down from the peninsula, back into town, then up into the mountains again toward Dimçayı cave.  Dim Cave was formed by erosion caused by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea passing through Alanya’s mountains thousands and thousands of years ago.  It was magnificent–cool on a sweltering day, fascinating and a bit creepy inside.

Dim Cave–amazing natural phenomenon!

Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended!

 

Yay!

 

 

 

Why Turkey?

“*Klasik bir soru: Neden Türkiye?”

People, especially Turkish people, are always asking me why on Earth I choose to live in Turkey. Upon meeting a new person, I am more often than not faced with this question, usually followed by a half-joking: “We Turks want to go to America!”

Well, here is my reply.

For one, Turkey’s just plain interesting. My, what vast contrasts it has! It’s modern and ancient and cosmopolitan and quaint at the same time. Take this guy, a karpuzcu, selling watermelons off of his horse-drawn cart.

You don’t see that in Washington, DC!

I spotted him on my way to a charming bakery for Sunday breakfast in a chic area of the city called Nişantaşı. As luck would have it, when I returned home two hours later, he happened to be parked on my street.

Mmm, watermelon.

Another reason I’m still in Turkey is because it is beautiful. Take Istanbul, for example. It is a bustling, chaotic city, but you don’t have to look very far for a beautiful view of the sea.

You might even get lucky and have a friend or a work contact who owns a boat where you can hang out and do a little yacht yoga.

Camel pose, tree pose, cheeky pose

As the “unusual and interesting” foreign dancer, you get opportunities to perform with internationally renowned musicians. You might even get a chaise lounge in your dressing room!!!

BaBa ZuLa concert at EcoFest Istanbul. . . Note that my backstage pass reads “ARTIST” in Turkish. Please also note my glitter gel.

And of course, while doing what you love for a living is delightful, doing what you love for a living while on a boat is divine.

“I’m on a boat, m***** f*****.” –T. Payne

So, there you have it–my answer to *the classic question* “Why Turkey?”–here in photographs.

 

Mini-Break in Bodrum

A little bit of sunbathing:

A little bit of jet-skiing:

A little bit of parasailing:

A little bit of daytime drinking:

Make for a lovely little holiday!