On the move tomorrow – to Malatya!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

One of the interesting things that I haven’t been writing about is the weather forecasts we have been seeing…you know, if you write about, it will come true!  So, while for the past five days it has called for rain anywhere from 60% to 90% of the time, we haven’t had any at all – just lovely sunshine and blue skies!  Well, the weather curse worked today; see below.

This morning began as another fine day, and we were down to breakfast about 8 o’clock.  This time there were actually other people joining us!  We had thought for awhile that we had the hotel to ourselves!

Out by about 9:30 a.m. and a drive to the east to find yet another Hittite city. 

Stunning Hittite countryside!

(Again, one that was discovered accidentally by a farmer plowing his field, and turning up artifacts!)  This time, we had taken the time to Google Earth the site, and see actually where it was situated – figured that that way, we would definitely find it!  Drove through some stunning gorges and river valleys, and through a lot of big mountains that those Hittites seem to favor!  We also found what may pass for Turkey’s “Carrera” – marble all over the place, both in situ in the mountain quarries, as well as in fenced in areas waiting for customers.  Finally arrived at Masat Hoyuk – which even had a tiny bit of signage along the road, which we are finding is rare indeed! 

Masat Hoyak in the center!

Actually found the site!  The only difficulty was that there was no road to it that we could find, and we didn’t really fancy hiking a couple of km there and back as it looked like – surprise! – it might actually rain!  BUMMER! 

Stunning mountains carved out by river!

So, saw what we could from the dirt road – would have loved to find more, but sometimes discretion is the better part of valor!  Then, back in the car and heading toward Amasya and our hotel.  

A bit more local color!

Got back around 2-ish, and still hadn’t had lunch.  Headed across the river to a sandwich place, were we got sandwiches and chips (spelled cips!) and then tried to beat the rain – yes, rain! --back to our hotel!  We did see some professional photographers taking pictures of a traditionally dressed bride and bridegroom on the bridge.  By “traditional” I mean that the bride had a white be-jeweled and be-pearled head covering to go along with her rather huge white dress!  As we passed them, it started to rain, and of course, she didn’t have an umbrella…do hope she didn’t get soaked in that dress, as it would take forever to dry, I’m sure!

Back to the hotel then, to catch up on paperwork, reading, and watch the rain come down – which it really did!  Thunder and lightning too!  (We poor Arizonans haven’t had much of that lately, so we were really loving it!)  And of course the storm rolled through, and we are now dealing with lovely blue skies and sunshine yet again!  I’m just hoping the weather holds tomorrow, as that is our l-o-n-g driving day – anywhere from 6 to 8 hours (depending on who is calculating!). Malatya is a very large city – I believe something on the order of 750,000 people, and we will be staying there three days.  More places to TRY and find, as well as a trek up Nemrut Dagi, to which I am very much looking forward! 

Hopefully you can catch the rainbow!

Not sure what our dinner plans are for tonight, but will definitely let you know how it goes!

Much love, and Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms, especially my own!

m

xxx