June 19- Soma Market and Bike Ride

I joined Güley on her shopping trip to the weekly market. It was a colourful experience. Lots of clothes from night gowns to traditional wedding dresses and endless vegetable, fruit, beans and nut. Some of the older ladies gave me a few plums and apricots to try. A few times it happened that as I took a picture of one booth, all the surrounding vendors also wanted their picture taken.

In the evening we met up with Erdal and some of his cycling friends to go on a short tour of the area. It was a beautiful ride through olive groves.

 As we came through a small farming village I felt like I was riding through a National Geographic magazine. Old stone houses, cobbled streets, traditionally dressed women in really baggy harem pants and scarves watching their kids play from the door step.
We stopped at the local restaurant and had two rounds of tea followed by a surprise birthday cake for Fatih's wife (so sorry, I do not remember the name).
After another few kilometers through more olive plantations and tabacco fields, we stopped under some magestic oak trees for the second celebration. This one was for Birshan (lady in red shirt) who had just recently learned how to ride a bike, purchased her first bike a few days ago. Today's outing was her first bike tour!!!!! Congratulations Birshan!!!!
These kind people even surprised me with a gift of a new t-shirt and a bracelet from Birshan, my new best friend in Turkey!!! (I wear it every day).

Before turning back, Fatih and Özlem walked us over to the last remains of a Roman aqueduct. Crazy Romans.

In the evening, Erdal entertained us with his guitar and a few traditional Turkish songs. The somewhat melancholy melodies were so lovely.