Antalya

Day 253: Hadrian’s Gate

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Hadrian’s Gate is one of the few ruins in Antalya to see. We happened to stumble upon it looking for bus companies to book our tickets to Goreme. I’m glad we did, because even though it’s not as spectacular as other ruins, it’s still pretty incredible to think that this was built in the year 130. Yea, you read that right. 130. It was built for the Roman Emperor Hadrian who visited that year.

Apparently city walls were built around the gate and it wasn’t used for awhile, which is why perhaps it’s in such good condition these days. After being in Africa, where the history is mostly oral, it’s really incredible to be in a land overflowing with visual history. Afterwards, we swung by the bazaar, and much like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, I was a little dismayed at the majority of the market being more knock-off bags, rhinestone studded Euro jeans, knock-off sunglasses, knock-off shoes, etc. etc. etc. We didn’t stay long.

Early in the evening, after figuring out where exactly the bus company was, we were able to purchase tickets and get a “service” ride to the station for our overnight bus to Goreme.

Day 251: An interview in English? Just say “yes!”

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Antalya is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort, although really, you wouldn’t guess it from walking around its quiet and charming old quarter. After breakfast, Andrew and I walked around, occasionally stopping to check out bags (mostly of the knock-off variety) and take pictures of the stunning Mediterranean. At the port, as we waited to get an ice-cream, a father and son approached. The father, more courageous than his son, in a few words asked if we would help with some homework. This is not new to me. It’s a fairly popular assignment in Korea, and I had already been interviewed in Istanbul. The poor guy nervously asked me questions while his brother recorded the interview and his mother supervised the whole thing. They were finished by the time Andrew came back from the snack stand with a bottle of water. This time, turned out to be entirely different. We were led to a cafe, we were ordered more ice-cream, and then a few days later, this is just one of the images that showed up in my inbox.

Bottom line: If anyone asks for help with their homework, especially if it’s an interview in English. Just. say. YES! You never know what is going to come from it. Maybe quick thank you and a big smile from the kid’s mother. Maybe a pencil case. Maybe a huge bowl of ice cream. Maybe some awesome pictures…

When we sat down, Andrew was delegated to write down our answers. Dad filmed the entire interview. Sometimes getting up for different angles. He told us over ice cream that he was a photographer for the police department. When the son seemed satisfied with our interview, the waiter was summoned. We had just finished some ice cream, and didn’t really need anything else. We tried to politely decline. They were not having it, and somehow, it was decided that we probably needed more ice cream. Big. bowls of ice cream. Andrew and I played along and looked over his interview, correcting mistakes.

His father was beyond excited when we told him we were both English teachers. We tried to chat with the son, but either he was nervous or really really low level. Once our ice cream was finished, we thanked them both and turned to leave. I thought the father was going to email me the video, but instead I got three emails full of fabulous pictures from him instead.

Best. English interview ever.

We walked around as long as our sugar highs would allow and then crashed. hard. It was to be expected after what turned into eating a ridiculous amount of ice-cream for lunch.

Our guesthouse was located right in the center of the old town though, so it was easy and convenient to duck inside for a nap before dinner or more walking around town.

Day 250: Istanbul to Antalya

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A lazy morning after a late night out in Istanbul followed by a quick flight to Antalya was our day. Arriving in a quiet Antalya was a breath of fresh air after spending a week and a half in busy Istanbul. The cobblestone streets were empty. Only the occasional call to prayer interrupted the quiet old quarter. It was lovely. It was also starting to rain by the time we checked into our room. We stayed in, hoping for better weather in the morning.