David's Diary: Tuesday, July 8, 2003

Meeting Locals in Kuyulu Buku

We are not travelling today. While Karalee and I read and took some time off, the kids spent the morning swimming and playing in the dinghy. With daytime temperatures over 40C and not a cloud in the sky, we insist that the kids have a break from noon to 2:00 and stay out of the sun. Card games are one of our favorite pastimes during our midday break. When we were in the Sahara Desert last December Allen learned the game of Scooba and today he has a great time playing it with Jocelyn and Nabiha.

Dancing and Clapping In Turkey

Late in the afternoon, Jocelyn and Nabiha disappeared with the dinghy. When they returned for dinner they told us that the only thing ashore is a campground and everyone there is Turkish. The girls met three families from Bandirma, the town where the fast ferry from Istanbul landed. Jocelyn and Nabiha met three girls who spoke English and we are invited to join them after dinner.

We finished dinner and quickly cleaned up Dragonsinger. The six of us piled into the dinghy and we quietly glided over the water to the dock at the campsite. The three girls were waiting for us and they took us to where they were camping. Their fathers all played musical instruments and sang. This impromptu entertainment was being watched by many people from the campsite who brought their own chairs and joined in the singing. Pretty soon everyone was dancing and we were encouraged to join in. We didn't understand the Turkish words to the music, but there was no problem figuring out the beat. All of us took turns getting up and dancing and just having fun hanging around with the locals.