Snapshots by Katie

This is the first installment of my travels to Turkey! So about 4 weeks ago a girlfriend I served with overseas posted on Facebook “Cheap Tickets – who wants to go to Turkey?” Within 4 hours our flights were booked and we proceeded not to plan a thing until the day we flew out. No hotels booked, no route in mind, no in depth historical knowledge, nothing. We had a car booked for the 8 days we’d be there and that was it. We thought perhaps we might try to drive to Bosnia by way of Greece and then back to Turkey via Bulgaria but that was a bust when we tried to cross the border and got stuck in between countries. Turkey let us out of their country but Greece wouldnt let us in. Turns out since Turkey is not yet part of the European Union the car could not pass. We were told we were more than welcome to walk across to which we responded “ummm…. where would we go? This border is in the middle of nowhere” So after about an hour or so we were told we head back to Turkey. We decided since our VERY loose plans were foiled we should get ourselves freshened up and head south along the Turkish coast. Of course in between borders they had a duty free shop – of course… why not? Get stuck in between countries the answer is always – Go Shopping! haha It is here we discovered the traditional turkish bathroom was indeed a ‘squattie’ our nice way of say hole in the ground complete with stall and door. I mean at least it was a civilized hole in the ground. Anyway, after a few ridiculous pictures and trying to perk our moods up we headed south. First stop was Canakkale and second stop Selcuk- both stunning!!!!

In this post Im going to do some quick highlights but will give reviews and make suggestions in later posts. Make sure to check out the bottom of each post for links and phone numbers to the places we adored!

The first 2 shots are from Edirne, a little border town. We liked this town as you could drive anywhere you thought your car could go and you could park the same way you drove there. Quite facinating and fun! I found myself in the tightest of spots – even on one ways and sidewalks to which I thought were roads. I think Amy was secretly having a heart attack as we navigated through this town.

This is truly a byproduct of the power of body language. We were walking around the ruins of Troy when we spotted this shepard and his herd. I thought he embodied all I imagined Turkey to be and had to have a picture. Amy and I somehow communicated that we wanted a photo and I had one shot- this is what I got and I couldnt be happier. This man was so kind and so trusting. After this one shot he continued on his way with cigarette in hand never to speak again.

These next several are from a town by the name of Selcuk and the ruins of Ephesus.

What would this post be without a preview of my darling friend Amy, in the mountains of Turkey?
These next several… I just couldnt choose. This was probably the most monumental moment in our trip. We woke up early to catch the sunrise from the mountains The sun rose from behind but the way the light was cast onto the town of Selcuk below was nothing short of breath taking.