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| EAST TURKEY |
| The first city that I was on my own is Malatya. Originally, I planned to fly to Urfa but was faced with the problem of no weekend flights, the first one is available only on Monday. To save time, I flew to Malatya instead, another city to access Nemrut. Flying from Istanbul, we took a bus from the airport to the city. I was dropped along the main road on the outskirts of the city. As I have not planned to come to Malatya, and anyway not much information is available in books, I only have a small map with me. Walking in from the mainroad, we were immediately being stared at by adults and children alike. This can be intimidating and unnerving. At a lost trying to figure out where I am on the map, I waved to two guys to come over to help me. They reply that there is no Park Hotel??? Oh dear, what to do?? As we walk along to the centre of town, I grew anxious and keep asking them where we are on the map (I might have sounded demanding??) One of them wanted to pull my luggage and suddenly, my instincts tell me to be alert and so I pulled back my luggage. The other walking with Pauline was asking alot of questions and I told Pauline not to tell him too much. I may have felt comfortable with them but I was reminded by books and Sam to be careful and so I sort of kept myself reserved. |
| We manage to find Park Hotel which was quite run down but we decide to make do with it. Our two friends brought us to the tourist informn where Kemal recommend that we book a cab of USD80/- to Nemrut to save time. We took the offer and hang around chatting with him. 2 teenagers were curious enough to come over to practice their English with us and request us to write in Mandarin love verses as well as convert their names into Chinese. I was disappointed Mehmet and Bharan has left earlier and I could not thank them. Kemal then introduce us to a Korean solo lady backpacker who intend to go Iran after Van. |
| As we were tired, we retire to bed early and I was awaken by the call for prayer (our hotel face a mosque) as well as being bitten by mosquitoes whole night. We went around looking for breakfast and I walk back to the street that we pass by yesterday hoping to meet Bharan and Mehmet. As we walk, we took photos with the locals who are ever so willing to let you photograph them. Suddenly, Mehmet called us and I was delighted that we actually has walk past the shop he works in. And so our friendship begins. |
| Found Mehmet and phoned Bharan to come out. Having chay |
| A place where they usually goes for tea. It is kept furnished in a traditional turkish way. |
| Sharing his breakfast??? |
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| We spent the morning walking around town and chatting, getting to know each other. I finally managed to pursuade Bharan and Mehmet to go up Nemrut Dagi with us |
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| After Nemrut Dagi, we went direct to the bus station to catch a coach to Van. The coach leaves at 3am in the morning so we went for supper to kill time. After the meal and waiting for us to use the restroom, Mehmet carried my backpack and commented that it was heavy for me. I replied that I am used to it, it has kept me company for many a country. We said goodbye to Mehmet and Bharan at around midnight. They brought us to the bus station and before leaving, reminded the man in the room to remember to call us when the bus to Trabzon leaves as we do not speak Turkish. I was tired and wonder how to pass the 3 hrs sitting on the hard chair. Time drags and I was craving for the comfort of the coach to come quickly. After 1 am, I saw Mehmet came back. He is concerned about us and came looking for us. Assuring him that we are fine, I told him to go home to rest and promised to take a photo of the waterfall in Van to send to him. When 3 am came, I was disappointed to find that there is no coach to fetch us. Instead we were told to board a small bus. I hesitated and tried to ask what has happen to the coach without success. As we are tired and wanted to leave the bus station, and any bus who pass by Malatya to Trabzon is always full, we don't want to miss this bus and board it unhappily. The trip was long and my legs went cramp. Dawn came and passing by the lake outside Van was very beautiful, bathing in the sunrise. Pauline was asleep but I kept myself awake to watch the beautiful scenery. |
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