En route to Buyukada - not sure if I am on the right ferry or not. I'm assuming I am. Getting there doesn't seem to be much of a problem - although I am slightly worried about getting back. More on that later...
(Later) Okay, I am not worried about getting back. In fact, I am not worried about anything at all right now. I'm on a hill overlooking a pine forest. I can see a road winding down a distant peninsula. Occasionally a horse-drawn carriage ambles by, or a bicycle - there are no cars on Buyukada. The air is amazing (compared to Sirinevler, that's not difficult - ed). There are surprisingly few tourists here, but I did, ahem, bump into a couple nestled in amongst the pines. I don't think they saw me. Those must be their horses behind me.
All I can say (actually, I can and probably will, say a lot more) is that this is exactly what I was looking for. Nice breeze, dirt roads, no people - I'll be back here as often as I can. Now that I'm here, I have a better idea of what to bring for next time - a blanket or towel to lay on, a water bottle, some food 'cause the food here is expensive. And a few rolls of film (now I just need my digital camera - ed). Good call - I am glad I came here today. Something is rustling in the bushes...
(Editor's note: I don't know why I left that last sentence hangning - the rustling was probably just some little island gecko that darts about. You don't notice them unless you've been sitting still for awhile.)
I probably won't stay here for the rest of my life. When I do, eventually, move on, there are some things that will stay with me no matter where I end up. A few of these things include:
1. My very first glimpse of the city and that terrible pain I was in (my ears from flying)
2. Buyukada - my own special spot in the clearning atop the hill overlooking that ancient greek monastary
3. Cappadocia - the crisp winter air, the mountains in the background, the cool and groovey cave
formations; the mosque at sunset in Guzelyurt; the first moment that we arrived at the Karballa and the freshly fallen snow crunching under our feet; New Year's eve; hiking Ihlara
4. My birthday party and amazing students
5. Bakirkoy: Ebuzziya Cad. - the pedestrian walkway down to the sea from the train station; the
harbour where I am now writing this, waiting for a sea bus to Bostanci
6. My students over the Bayram, Sultanahmet packed with people all in high spirits, festive mood and atmosphere; fez-wearing caricature artists surrounded by curious onlookers, a man in a top hat and stilts who, oddly enough, seemed to be the only one not in holiday spirits; the table we were lucky to get; sipping salep; chatting in broken English but having a great time
7. Ankara - and the 1 hour photo place, waiting patiently for the photo store guys to return from the breaking of the fast; waiting in the small photo store as the Kodak guys passed my pictures between each other and discussed, at great length, their quality and location; an argument broke out as to where the shots were taken but that was settled by a quick glance my way and a 'Nerede?' to which I replied 'Guzelyurt, Cappadocia'. Ah, but of course! They discussed my photos for awhile longer. Apparently the one-hour advertisement was simply a guideline, not a set practice.
