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In all, we spent 8 weeks in the apartment in Beldibi before returning to our boat on May 14. Somehow, our wonderful apartment made these long and exhausting weeks off the boat much more bearable. Our unit was a two bedroom apartment on the bottom floor of a two story four-plex, complete with a washing machine, satellite TV, and small patio. The grass outside the unit was part of the common grounds of the larger condominium complex, so its upkeep was maintained regularly by the gardener. With the surrounding hills by our apartment covered with pine trees, the tree�s fragrant scent and rustling sound reminded us much of the Northwest. And, it was easy to get back and forth to the boat from the apartment as the bus stop was located just outside our condominium complex. The dolmus (small bus) ride into Marmaris center took 10 minutes and then the walk to Netsel Marina another 10 minutes. Or, if we wished, we could walk to the boat in about an hour as it was only 3 miles away.

The village of Beldibi had its own Ataturk statue, village council, and weekly Sunday market. To shop at one of Turkey�s weekly markets was a fun experience as Turkey�s seasonal fruits and vegetables were bountiful and relatively inexpensive. Mary would come back to the apartment each Sunday with a full week�s supply of fruits and vegetables. In the 8 weeks at the apartment, she became friendly with a few of the local market vendors, plus the girls at the nearby mini-mart. When walking pass the street next to our apartment building on her way to the mini-mart, she always enjoyed watching the neighborhood boys at play. Often, they reminded her of her own sons when young, as their creativity was boundless. For a few weeks they created this racing game using scrap lumber, and many of the neighborhood boys joined in the fun.

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