the W()RD: Talking Turkey again

July 14-16, 2007

Time to make the long trek home from south Cyprus to Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. This required:

- a multi-user taxi from Larnaca to the border crossing in Nicosia;
- a walk of about 1 km with my luggage through the border to a bus stop;
- the 1/2 hr bus to the ferry terminal at Kyrenia;
- the 2 1/2 hr ferry to Tasucu, Turkey (not for the weak of stomach, which fortunately I am not; the 2nd most expensive part of the journey, at about US$42);
- a 2 hr bus to Mersin;
- a 22 hr bus to Trabzon (slept better this time than on the outward journey; this was the most expensive leg of the trip at about US$50);
- a 3 1/2 hr bus to Hopa;
- a 1/2 hr minivan to the Tr-Ge border at Sarp;
- crossing the border on foot;
- a 1/2 hr minivan to the centre of Batumi, Georgia;
- a 15-minute minivan to the Batumi Railway station;
- an 8-hour train to Tbilisi, at least with a bed in a 4-berth cabin.

Amazing what complications a cheapskate traveller with only his own comfort to consider will achieve! This was conceivable only because I could carry my luggage for the walking bits.

More notes from Turkish signs:

- Dagwood and Blondie used as men's/women's WC signs at a gas station in central Turkey;
- Turkish petrol station chains named Starpet and Yuropet (at least there was no Carpet or Housepet);
- the question on all of Turkey's mind: Can Batman baris? (See picture...)

Waiting for the Ferry, Tasucu, Turkey

Well, I couldn't just sulk in my motel room for 23.5 hours waiting for the next ferry to Cyprus, could I? Especially as it was a 1-star. So I went out with the cellphone camera.

Bottom: my feet hit the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in my life (as I recall).

Middle: Shore... and an old boat.

Top: One of many glass eyes whose purpose is to ward off the Evil Eye curse. But this superstition is found in many other places too, including Greek Cyprus, where I am now...

The w()rd: Let's talk Turkey

Because that's where I am at the moment, en route to Cyprus after 23 hrs on a bus, which got me to the ferry terminal 1/2 hr late for the day's crossing (no one's fault). ;Scuse me ıf my typıng,s a bıt messed up, but I thought I,d emulate the frustratıons of a dıfferent keyboard layout for you.

Some notable place names in Turkey:
Batman ('nuff said)
Hayrat, home of the infamous hayrat (insert your own story here, best one wins a prize)
Of. Just Of. Origin place of such famous phrases or uses (here presented in their original versions) as:
- What are you thinking, Of?
- Is this milk a bit Of?
- the On/Of switch
- Of to the races
- The Sound of Of music
- poised to take Of

I also passed by Tarsus, birthplace of one Saul (later Paul), who wrote most of the New Testament though he was a major enemy of the Christıans before that. Have to stop there next time.

Another fascinating sıgn I noticed is for the Elif Un Fabrikası (Transl.: Elif Un Factory), where everything is unmade, undone, all words beginning with un having their origin here.

Finally, Final Tea comes from this part of the world - its name evoking strange feelings that this cup of tea would be my last. Such a Final name, isn't it?