Normally, new countries are always exciting when we're travelling: new currency, new language, where is there internet, what are the traffic rules and what do they eat here? This time we made a conscious decision in favour of Turkey: Because we know how things work here. Because we feel a bit at home here and don't have to rediscover anything. Because we can come down here.
Because one thing is clear: in addition to the many wonderful moments, the last three months have also been really exhausting. Gerd is still ill, so ill in fact that I have to get behind the wheel, which means he is really ill and we are taking it easy.
We parked in familiar places right by Lake Van and bought a new SIM card in Van. We had given away the old one from January in Iran, because our plan was different. We stroll through the alleyways, I am spoilt with tea in the Türk-Telekom shop and we enjoy our beloved breakfast in a Kahvalt𝖨 café. We finally fill up with good diesel (Felix is jubilant with joy) and get tea as a gift at every petrol station. We stop at cafés again and again and our minds and hearts slowly come to rest.
At a beautiful spot, we are invited by a farming family for tea, sweets and dinner. We are happy to drink the tea but kindly decline the dinner. We just want to be alone. This is of course accepted. But in the morning, the young Kurdish woman stands in front of our Felix with boiled eggs: we should have a proper breakfast. Teşekkürler, dear Turkey!
Our path leads over the mountains. Or so we think. After around 100 kilometres of the most beautiful route through "wild Kurdistan", the journey ends for us due to the quality of the road. Felix throws sand and stones, but due to the lack of 4×4, he doesn't make it up the last (yes, it really is the last 4 kilometres!) climb. We turn round and are back at Lake Van hours later. Okay, we'll take a different route tomorrow then.
Merci for "travelling with us
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Hello you two dear.
As you are writing with a time delay, Heike, I naturally hope that Gerd is feeling better again.
It was really nice to be shown around Iran by you.
The world could be so beautiful.
But somehow I am glad to know that you are back on European soil.
Have a safe journey and a speedy recovery for Heinz.
All the best
from Racheli
hihi, yes, you say something! Yes, Gerd is healthy and lively again, but it's really got him down...
And yes, we're also quite happy that we can now go out and enjoy the mountains and mountain lakes again.
Kind regards - Heike