Bill and Carol's Senior Years Abroad: Merhaba, Hoscakal (Hello, Goodbye)

Middle East » Turkey » Mediterranean » Antalya
May 21st 2012

Published: May 22nd 2012

With nine remaining days in Turkey, we are writing from our Antalya flat, which is already denuded. Each day friends and strangers come by to haul off items they have purchased during our moving sale, and they stay for tea and conversation. "What's the matter? Why are you leaving Turkey?" they ask. "When are you coming back?" In a culture in which plans are seldom made more than a few days in ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 37, Displayed: 21

Carol and Gayle

Celebrating 50 years of friendship!

Street in Antioch

Storks at Selcuk Temple of Artemis

Rock Tombs at Myra

Theatre Masks at Myra

World's1st Parliament at Patera

Thomas Jefferson studied Lycian Parliamentary Democracy to fashion the US Constitution

Kaputas Beach

Mediterranean Coastline near Kas

Temple of Apollo at Didim

The Oracle said we should return to Seattle

Medusa at Didim

She guarded the sacred activities of the Oracle

Local house at Didim

Bakkhos Guesthouse near Selchuk

We stayed at this peaceful site with Cindy and Eileen

Isabey Mosque at Selchuk

Named after Jesus (literally "Mr." Jesus), considered a prophet in the Koran, built in 1375 as testimony of religious tolerance of the Selchuk Turks

Near House of Mary

It's believed that St. Mary lived nearby in her later years

5 minutes from our flat

View from the path down to Bill's swimming hole.

Spring view from our balcony

It's hard to say "goodbye" to this!

Farewell Picnic

International Women of Antalya gave Carol a farewell bash

22nd May 2012

Doug Wilton
non-member comment

Bon Voyage!
(I don't know how to say that in Turkish.) Contratulations on a wonderful adventure, and thanks for sharing it with us. Travel safely, and savor all that you have experienced. All the best! Doug

22nd May 2012

Al and Sharon
non-member comment

Extraordinary Journey
We have been mesmerized by your beautiful pictures and Carol's longtime gift of writing--what a treasure you have imprinted on us! We had actually talked of the end of your journey being near, so this entry is most welcome. Have good travels on your way home, and welcome home to you in July. Love, Al and Sharon

22nd May 2012

Kim Becklund
non-member comment

Wherever you are- there's your family!
Bill and Carol - Congratulations on what sounds like a life-altering, joyful adventure! I so wish I could be there with you! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Looking forward to catching up upon your return to your US family.

22nd May 2012

Stephanie Abbott
non-member comment

How wonderful
I love your blog - we have good memories of Ephesus and Istanbul but 2 years in Turkey is wonderful. We will be in Seattle for a week beginning August 11 and we hope to see you both. Love Stephanie ps. Stork porn!

22nd May 2012

catherine crain
non-member comment

Thanks for sharing these wonderful stories and photos!
It sounds like leaving is bittersweet - this is probably the sign of a wonderful experience. I wonder what the next chapter in your life will bring?! I am so excited to have you back in Seattle soon. Safe travels and see you in July! Love, Catherine

22nd May 2012

Judi Kalitzki
non-member comment

Excited to see you!!
I'm not suprised it's going to be a huge wrench to leave Antalya, but know that we in Seattle are thrilled at the thought of seeing you again. My department chair had a party the other night, and I was talking to his wife, who mentioned that once her husband retires in Dec. they might go back to Turkey where he did a teaching stint at the University of Koc back in 2001-2. She said that may have been the happiest year of her life--she loved Turkey! When I told her about my friends who were coming to the end of two years in Turkey, she was so envious and said she'd love to hear about your time there. So I told her I'd invite the four of you to dinner sometime and let you compare notes about Turkey. See you soon, Judi

22nd May 2012

Connie
non-member comment

thanks for the virtual adventure!
I so enjoyed your blogs, prose and pictures. An amazing place and I feel that I've experienced some of it with you. Safe travels home.

22nd May 2012

Rick Wilson
non-member comment

Such a treasure!
Thank you so much for your sharing of these incredible adventures through these past two years. It has made the missing you almost worth it! Take care and continue enjoying as your brain wraps around other 'old world' parts of northern Europe before you get back to us where we get excited over our homes that were built "nearly a hundred years ago!"

23rd May 2012

Carol Merrill
non-member comment

Thanks
so much for sharing your travels. It was an absolute delight to hear the stories and see the pictures. Hope your travels to the north are a great finale for you.

24th May 2012

Elsie
non-member comment

Have a safe trip back home
Dear Carol and Bill, Thank you so much for sharing your great experience in Turkey. We are looking forward to seeing you again this summer in Seattle. Your blogs are a great introduction to our October trip. Love, Elsie

24th May 2012

vince
non-member comment

thanks
Thanks, Bill and Carol, for all the interesting stories and pictures of Turkey. Looking forward to seeing you in Seattle later this year. Love, Vince and Sylvia

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Bill and Carol's Senior Years Abroad: Merhaba, Hoscakal (Hello, Goodbye)

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