Turkey and the Stuf-fin in side.

I have been in Turkey for over a month now. While I haven’t seen everything, I have seen enough to make a few comments. First off, Turkey is nothing like I expected it to be. I did not expect Turkey to be covered in a carpet of pine forests and lush green vegetation. The physical beauty of Turkey was totally unexpected on my part. The waters are deep rich blue and clear as a cut crystal. The terrain is rugged and colorful with steep cliffs plunging into the ocean in dramatic sweeps. And when you look a little deeper you find natural formations like Pamukkai that nature was willing to take centuries to create.

The people of Turkey are genuinely friendly and good natures. Like the natural inviting beauty of the landscape, it is in their nature to invite you in and offer you a cup of chi whenever they can think of a reason. Sit down, relax, and let’s spend some time together. This is also a can-do country. Every man dreams of opening his own business. I get the feeling that they love what they do most of the time. And if you need something, the answer is always yes. We needed a part for our new engine to be able to flush out the salt water. So we found a dealer and asked for the part. They didn’t have one in stock and Istanbul would take too long to get the part. So the storekeeper sends his son around the corner to a machine shop. Sure we can make that part for you. Have some chi and be back here in a half an hour. It ended up costing less than the original part to have one frabricated.

Yes, chi or tea is the national pastime. The Turks make the British look like amateurs when it comes to teatime. There is a whole tea concession in each neighborhood. Runners come out with trays of tea and deliver it to the shopkeepers and their clients on a regular basis. Any time you have to wait, it is time for tea. It just instantly appears like magic. And since a lot of foreigners don’t care for the traditional chi, they have come up with apple tea which is more like hot apple cider. While it is regularly served to tourists, no self-respecting Turk would drink the stuff.

Their willingness to help each other is also ever-present. When you are in a shop where they don’t speak English, the owner sends for a shop owner down the street who leaves his store unattended so he can help translate for his neighbor. If the shopkeeper has to go somewhere during the day, the store is left open. If a customer waders in, the neighbor comes over to help you with your purchases. Sometimes I am just confuses who owns what store. The other day we needed some parts from an electronic store. He had some of the parts but walked across the street to another store to complete the order. No big deal. Someone on the block is bound to have all you need. The Turks believe working hard will bring them success in life. Each man has a dream and is pursuing it with vigor and determination.

Turkey is a place you could come and never leave. Last night at dinner we were talking to a British couple that have been here for 14 years. They told us of a friend that intended to stay a fortnight here. He has had 5 farewell parties to go back to England and is still here 5 years later. I have a feeling this story is not unique. We plan to come back here next year and spend even more time exploring Turkey. I will be sad to go. We leave for Rhodes tomorrow morning. Hoping for good winds and calm seas.