The People We've Met in Turkey
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This is a selection of photos of the folks we've run into. They have enriched our lives. I hope we've amused them a little too.
This man sold tea to hikers from a set of huts back on a trail in the Pigeon Valley near Goreme. While we were drinking he said he'd give us a prize if we could answer two questions: 1) Can you say two things in Turkish? 2) Can you name two countries that border Turkey? We got the prize, an evil eye that now protects my camera bag.
This man told us about his dream to build a hotel in a Cappadocia. His great grandfather made his home in this cave so he will make it the reception lobby for his hotel.
Girls with Planters - Goreme, Turkey
This girl and her sister were getting some early planting done in containers. She seemed to say, "You better not take my picture." I always take the picture. We both laughed.
Man In Rain Storm - Goreme, Turkey
I weathered a pelting rainstorm to get photos one afternoon. This guy waited too. He didn't have a camera. He just wanted to see the sunset.
We are an odd lot that gets up before sunrise to go looking for pictures. I have never regretted getting out of bed; there are always rewards.
Coffee Seller - Goreme, Turkey
This lady sold me some Turkish coffee on a cold morning after I had descended the hills of Cappadocia on a photo safari. We ran into her often in the days that followed and she always called me over to say hi and ask how I was. I recommend her restaurant, Cappadocian Cuisine, in Goreme.
Facing rejection a thousand times a day the indefatigable hawkers are on the street selling rugs, food, whatever. Always smiling.
Woman Selling Fruit - Fethiye, Turkey
Nice color match between the watermelons and her scarf.
Young Europeans sample some olives from a seller at the Fethiye market.
Handsome Man With Ugly Fish - Fethiye, Turkey
A guy came up to me while I was photographing this fish seller and said, "Please crop out the man and keep the fish in your photo. The fish is better looking."
We bought dates and dried fruit from her.
Dr. Can from the Caretta Apart Hotel in Fethiye is as close to a personal fixer as I may ever get to know. When Rick Steves or Anthony Bourdain visit a country they have someone to "fix" transportation, tours, personal experiences, restaurants etc. Dr. Can (pronounced John) worked with us every morning to be sure our stay at his hotel and our visits to the surrounding region were personally perfect. He is the best.
Using a straight razor this Fethiye barber gave me a very close shave. Twice. Then lit an alcohol dipped Q-Tip on fire and singed the little hairs of my cheeks and ears.
Men fishing off a busy bridge in Istanbul. They catch very small fish.
Many of my best friends are dogs. Here they get an ear tag if they've had their rabies shot. Even the street dogs had tags.
We were told that these folks not happy about the current state of affairs in the Islamic world. They especially wanted to form a separate Islamic state made up of all the Islamic countries. The "530" on this woman's palm refers to the Egyptian Revolution. Also interesting, the women march separately behind the men.
Much moving of goods in Istanbul is done by foot. Either it is less expensive or more practical or both. Traffic in downtown Istanbul is intense so it may just be faster this way.
Travelers are everywhere. There are mobs of them in Istanbul from all corners of the globe. They pile into tour buses and public transportation. They wear the same wrinkled clothes for days at a time. They can be aggravating at times but they have an intense curiosity about the world and a zest for life that I admire.