Entry #06: Bodrum, Turkey

It's time to leave the comfort of my friends and head to unknown land - Turkey, alone.   

Turkey has always fascinated me with its profoundly rich history and complex Muslim - yet secular society.  I decided to do something different:  instead of flying into Istanbul and beginning my two weeks in a vibrant  and large city, i wanted to start in smaller towns and villages in the south and central regions.  So, I started in Bodrum - a tiny beach town in the Anatolian region - on the Aegean Sea.  My plan was to spend over a week in Bodrum and then head to central Turkey (Cappadocia) before visiting Istanbul.  This was a good decision.

Bodrum is beautiful and touristy.

  It is a Turkish resort mecca - that i would compare to certain small towns on the French Riviera like Antibes and Jean les Pins.  But, I was there at the end of Ramadan when all the Turks descended upon the town from Ankara and Istanbul for the holiday and their last summer vacation for 2007.  It was interesting to be amongst Turkish tourists.  There were very few foreigners and I did not meet one American.

Being alone in a romantic beach town where there were endless streams of couples holding hands and strolling around was not exactly how i meant to start my solo journey.  Feelings of loneliness tried to creep in.  But, I still managed to have an incredible experience.  I rented a scooter for 3 days and explored the region.

  One day I raced over 60 miles along the coast to some hidden beach villages.  And, in the evenings, I got to know the town quite well.   

Each day at sunset I found myself chilling on lounge chairs on the sand in front of Cafe Del Mar - watching the sun set over the Bodrum Castle.  My favorite time of day has always been dusk.  This is why.   I wish I could share those moments with you.

I had not intention of spending time at the beach during the days.  So, I actually take an organized tour of the region and went on a boat trip to Dalyan - 4 hours south.  This was my first glimpse of the ancient empires that used to live here.  Just look at the impressive and gigantic grave sites built right into the mountainside.

  These were graves for the rich, and over 1,000 years old.  Along the way, we stopped at a natural hot spring and mud 'bath' where we endulged in some natural Turkish cleansing.  It was dirty, but exhilirating. 

I think i even did some business on the beach in Bodrum.  The owner of Cafe Del Mar, Bodrum talked quite seriously about having me produce  a music compilation for him for next season!  If it works out, I will have to write a free trip to Turkey into our contract.  We'll see....

On my last night there, I met a really cool Iranian Muslim named Ali.  YES - we talked politics.  His perspective of the USA and Israel is very different from mine.  It was interesting to listen to him, but actually quite concerning.

  I've been entirely alone for 3 days and  Ali was the first 'real' conversation i had with a human since I got to Bodrum.  It felt nice to actually communicate again. 

Bodrum was a nice introduction to the luxurious and exotic part of Turkey.  But, I have a feeling there are other parts......  and I am excited to experience them. 

I am on my way to the Cappadochia region of Turkey - in middle of the counrtry.  I have a feeling that this experience will be more about the 'land' and history.  We'll see.....