5.24.06 Antalya, Turkey

We left Konya late last evening—about 8 PM—for our bus trip to Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast in southern Turkey. The distance was not great, but we climbed and climbed and climbed, riding through high mountains, and the going was slow. At about 9:30, we stopped at a truck stop for dinner. It was a huge place, but almost empty at that hour. Even there, the food was excellent.

As we drove on and on for hours, most of us fell asleep. We awoke with the bus stopped at the side of the road and the driver missing. Jackie Rollins said she thought we had been left behind. I don’t think she meant it in the “End Times” sense, but I said, “Well, maybe the Rapture has happened and the bus driver was taken to heaven and the rest of us have been left behind.”

It turned out that the driver didn’t know how to find our hotel and we waited until a new driver could be brought in. The hotel proved to be 80 km. west of Antalya, and it took another hour for us to get there. We arrived at 3 AM at the Clubhotel Tekirova, but even then, with almost everything closed, we could tell that we were in something approaching paradise. We learned only the next day that they were going to take us on a dinner cruise, even arriving at 3 AM, but our leaders had, not unreasonably, decided we had to get at least a little sleep. This resort has the most fabulous and extensive breakfast spread we have seen anywhere. Too bad we’re not going to get to spend any time here.

The coastline west of Antalya is beautiful. The Taurus Mountains, which are Yosemite-like rock mountains, come right down to sea. It’s something like bringing Yosemite to the sea, albeit without the spectacular waterfalls. It is similar to the way I picture the French Riviera and also somewhat like Big Sur. There is a twisting road along mountain cliffs above the Mediterranean, with tunnels in several places.

In the morning we visited the Religious Garden east of Antalya. It contains a synagogue, a church, and a mosque. It was quite inspiring. At one point when we were in the synagogue, I looked out one of the Star of David windows. From the angle of my vantage point, a Turkish flag with the Muslim crescent and star flying on a flagpole outside was inside the top segment of the Star of David. It seemed to be great symbolism for interfaith cooperation. On the other hand, there were armed guards posted at the entrance to the religious garden, indicating the justified fear that some “religious” fanatics are likely to respond to the idea of interfaith cooperation with violence.

Next we went to see the second century AD Roman theater at Aspendos. It is well preserved and still used. This was the first such ancient place we have been to and it was great.

We had lunch by rapids below the Düden Waterfall. The main course was scrod broiled with vegetables in individual pans: personal pan scrod. It was delicious.

We then went on to see the Düden Waterfall, which is supposed to be the best in Turkey. It’s no Victoria, but very nice. When we came up from the waterfall, Anne decided she wanted to ride a camel and talked others, including me, into doing it. It was . . . an experience.

Next, we went, smelling like camels, shopping to very expensive jewelry, rug, and leather stores. In each place they brought us hot tea in small glasses on a tray. They seem to bring you tea everywhere in this country, and we’re growing accustomed to be pampered this way.

Then it was dinner at the apartment of the sponsors on thirteenth floor overlooking the Mediterranean as the sun went down. More great food—and Turkish coffee with dessert. I’m really getting to love the stuff. Our hosts were amazed that Anne is the mother of four and has a profession. They didn’t think it was possible for a woman to do all this. They were also astonished that Angela Cockerham is a state representative and attorney at age 29. They asked her why she was so quiet and she told them that she can learn more by listening. I don’t think that they had ever encountered a politician who would rather listen than talk.

Finally the hour drive back to the Tekirova, arriving too late to enjoy any of its magnificent facilities, other than the wine they had left for us upon our arrival

Quite a day.

-RSM