Hobbies In July, Beatrice Williams, Coordinator at Eagle Rock , flew for the first time and arrived in Antalya, Turkey where she explored the stunning coastline with a friend for two weeks. Travel may be her new hobby as she shares her experience below. Despite the sweltering heat, most places—restaurants, shops and even museums— lack air conditioning. The Turkish people, however, have adapted remarkably well to the relentless heat and humidity that envelops the region. One scorching morning, the thermometer soared to a staggering 113 degrees. Beatrice found herself frustrated when her phone screen flashed an excessive heat warning.
Fortunately, Beatrice had a camera with her. Everyone had warned Beatrice to be careful before she left, as many people perceive Turkey as a dangerous place to visit. However, Beatrice never felt unsafe during the entire two weeks she was there. The Turkish people were incredibly welcoming. They showed genuine curiosity about American culture and generously invited Beatrice and her friend to share and learn about their own traditions.
They had an amazing time white water rafting in Manavgat! It was Beatrice's first experience with rafting, and she absolutely loved it. Their guide spoke limited English, but that didn’t stop them from having a wonderful adventure full of excitement and great scenery. Beatrice noticed the unusual lack of animal control in Turkey, where stray cats were seemingly everywhere. Interestingly, pet owners often walked their cats on leashes, which added to the unusual scene. The stray cats wandered in and out of shops and restaurants with a casual confidence, as if they were regular patrons exploring their territory. While they didn't eat at McDonalds or Burger King, Beatrice was surprised by how "fancy" the two-story restaurants were. The menus also featured beer, and it was interesting to note that no drive-throughs were available. Overall, the food was enjoyable and varied with chicken frequently available as an option. One particular meal featured goat chops, which Beatrice found delicious but a bit overly greasy for her taste. In a bold culinary adventure, she also sampled oysters; however, after that experience, she decided that they were not preferred.
A few fun observations: • As the sun set, the buildings were lit up with warm lighting, creating a lovely backdrop. • There were no pesky bugs around—no mosquitoes or flies to bother anyone, which made the evenings so enjoyable!
• Instead of being served water, restaurants offered tea everywhere. • Beatrice noticed there wasn't much wildlife apart from the stray cats that seemed to wander the streets. • Watermelon was a favorite at almost every meal. • Riding a camel was a unique experience! Unlike horses, camels move at a relaxed pace and listen well to commands. • Every Mosque had speakers calling people to prayer, and it was interesting to see shop and restaurant owners stepping outside four times a day to join others for this event. Beatrice is eagerly organizing her next adventure to Turkey, this time aiming to visit when the temperatures are more pleasant. --by Ana Conrad
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator