Day 15 April 14

[jamesfc]

This is a sad day, our final full day in Turkey. We are a bit tired, but are still amazed by this incredible country and are so happy we had a chance to meet the people here and walk through the ancient historical sites that we have read about all our lives.

Meli picked us up at our hotel and we headed for Izmir, but would stop in the village of Tire (pronounced Tear' eh) to visit the Tuesday Market place. I'm going to post some images of the faces of Turkey and some of the friendly people we met. Everyone was happy to have their picture taken and I have to relate a story which demonstrates how open and warm Turkey is.

Meli had stopped in a tiny shop/stall to pick up some thread. The shopkeeper noticed all my camera equipment and was asking where we were from, etc. The next thing we knew, he had called the administrator of the local municipality and had a young man working for the local police force escort us through the market and was going to show us some special places in Tire that Meli hadn't even seen! We drove up a small mountain road to an incredible overlook of the entire valley, then proceeded on to a wonderfully beautiful restaurant where lunch was provided. We invited our new friend, Mehmet Fatyh, to join us and he practiced English with us. He was about to graduate from college and wanted to work in administration.

Small thread store - called jandarma to show us around

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Mehmet Fatyh, our escort in Tire

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This is an exclamation mark on this wonderous journey! Meli drove us on to Izmir, which was somewhat cloudy and rainy - appropriate for the mood. Again, this is another wonderous historical city on the Aegean Sea that traces back to Alexander the Great and beyond.

Tomorrow we spend the whole day on airplanes, but we will never forget our new sister, Mehlika and the wonderful, friendly people of Turkey.

Tire market women selling fresh vegetables

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Felt makers in Tire market

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Elderly Turkish man with his "worry beads"

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Man wearing typical turban in Tire

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Another Turkish man with typical Tire turban

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Men enjoying coversation and coffee

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[bbass]

What a wonderful trip -- and you shared it with all of us. I've enjoyed your photos and I'm sure I will hear much more about the wonderful country and people you met along the way. Safe journey, my friends. See you (in person) soon. Brenda