Day Sixty-Nine

 

20/07/25 - Day Sixty-Nine

Slept like shit. I woke at 23:30 to the sound of dogs barking close by. I was wide awake instantly, as I heard one sniffing and scurrying around my tent. I quickly shut my outer door as I’d left it open to keep cool. I was just waiting for it to get aggressive and start barking at me, heart pounding. It ran off. I listening intently for a while as dogs barked at various distances from me. Hearing one come very close again I got my spray at the ready, but it soon went. It took a while to fall asleep after that. 

Passing through the village next morning a man walking with kids said “market” and pointed. How did he know? So I followed him a bought some bread, having a coffee and brekkie. My legs felt a lot better today, sore but not dead. I stopped for a coffee and ended up having lunch. I was then startled by man popping head over the wall behind me. He wanted me to take pics of him at work, so I hopped over to meet him, and his son, and his son. I tackled some decent climbs after lunch, and was stopped by a passing car near the top of one. They invited for food and cay in the next village where they had a house. They were Danish Kurds returning to their home village for a holiday. I quickly repaired the flat I had caught as I spoke to them, heading for the mosque where Yunus said he’d meet me, before being led to his house. His wife, his mum were there too and his Son, baby Isam. Took a shower. His mum makes me flatbreads with cheese and veggies, sarma, fruit, yogurt and ayran! Awesome, I scranned the lot! 

Talked with Yunus for a while, his father recently built a house back in his home village for them to visit during summers. In fact most of the village was holiday homes of Turks/kurds who were living in Europe, but all come back during the summer! Played with baby Isam. Then Yunus insisted I take a nap. His uncle Mesut then arrived and we ate again together this time, well just me, mesut and Yunus. Next his dad’s cousin or brother came, and his grandmother! I was beginning to lose track of who everyone was, having already had plenty more cameos from neighbouring cousins and aunts. I showed them my bike as we chatted and took pictures. I even chatted a bit with Yunus’ wife, a pharmaceutical engineer, which was really nice to be able to do. 

Next on the agenda was a trip t’ mosque with the boys! Met the imam and another friendly German Kurd. I couldn’t believe my luck as I was offered more food, tost from a cafe - a toastie. And another one from another friendly man, washed down with cay. He said he wouldn’t have a hungry traveller in his village! I couldn’t accept another one, though I was still hungry. The German guy was keen for me to ask questions about Islam or their culture in general. They showed me where I could sleep in one of the mosque buildings which doubled as a teaching room and guest room. 

They then invited me to the final prayer of the day, the German guy taking me under his wing, showing me how to wash before prayer and then how to pray. After this we had one final stop for the day: Yunus’ other uncles house, Atilla. He was a trucker and had travelled all over Europe, gaining connections in the Georgian mafia, so told me to get in touch if I have any trouble there!! We then called it a night. It was exhausting meeting so many new people, and mind blowing how I was offered food and drinks wherever I went.

 

Rough Stuff

 

 

 

Kiddos on quads

 

 

 

Kind words from Mesut! Legend!

 

 

 

Yunus, his uncle Mesut, and I

 

 

 

Home for the night




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