Splendid Isolation in Kusadasi

There was little activity on the complex today as it is day two of our 100% curfew but it was lovely and sunny, although breezy, so I got my bedding washed and dried.  Back in the UK, I have to use the tumble dryer and it's still a novelty to peg out my washing and it be dry only a few hours later. As I returned with my washing, I saw that the Wine Fairy had been and left a bottle of red wine on my doorstep.  A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and my neighbour presented me with a plate of barbecued meats, so I could share their Saturday Iftar. I took the first photo just before the nightly 'boom' to announce the end to the daily fast and the other a short while later after the sun had finally set.  The sky was so clear with the moon shining although it's just a little dot in the photo; beautiful. 

This is my first time in Turkey during Ramadan.  My only previous experience was when I was working and a third of one of my teams in Bradford were young Muslims.  All observed Ramadan so to help them during the day, we didn't eat or drank in front of them.  We put all birthday celebrations on hold for the duration but come Eid, we all celebrated together.  Likewise, the whole team had celebrated Easter.  We also had an explanation of what Ramadan was on our team notice board, as we did with all the Muslim and Christian important dates and festivals. Last night, just as the sun was going down there were two loud 'booms' a second or two apart to signal the start of Ramadan. I'm not sure what produced the noise but I imagine it has been broadcast from the village mosque.  Sometimes I do hear the call to prayers, faintly, before the village dogs drown out the sound.  Now, I've  also read that  just before sunrise, drummers go round the streets...

As anyone English knows, 23rd April is our patron saint's day.  According to Wikipedia, St George was a solder of Cappadocian Greek origins, so came from Turkey.  He died on 23rd April 303AD.   He was chosen as  England's patron Saint  in 1350, by King Edward III.  St George  was admired for his bravery in the face of terrible suffering, and he was popular among European Knights and military men.  He's also the patron saint of many cities and villages around the world. For some strange reason it has never been a bank holiday in England and most English people don't celebrate it, yet will celebrate St Patrick's day!  I always tried to celebrate St George's Day by wearing a red rose; the national flower of England, but over the years have been asked either if I was going to a wedding or, in Yorkshire, was it Lancashire Day! Sadly today, if you do celebrate the day, or fly the flag, you are assumed to be a right wing, zenophobe whic...

Now, I've obviously had breakfast previously in Turkey, at the hotels I've stayed in, but none has compared to the complete feast I've experienced on a number of occasions here in Kusadasi.  All I can say is Turkish Breakfast  (kahvalti) here makes a Full English look like a light snack! Turkish Breakfast is popular on any day but particularly on Saturdays and Sundays.  I guess it is the Turkish equivalent of the family getting together for a Sunday roast dinner except it lasts for much longer! On my first visit to Kusadasi in April last year, I was taken out for Sunday Turkish Breakfast to Hotel Kismet which has fabulous views over Kusadasi marina, from its balcony.  View of Kusadasi Marina We got there at around 11am and didn't leave until 4pm.  What a feast we had!  It consisted of small dishes of   just about everything; bread, little cheese filled filo pastry rolls, eggs, sausage (sucuk), cheese, cheese, cheese, more cheese (all different)...

I thought today was going to be uneventful but it turned out differently than expected.  Due to the total lock down, I had to send a 'happy 40th birthday' message via WhatsApp to my Turkish friend. If it wasn't for coronavirus there would have been a big party of friends and family celebrating in the Panorma restaurant here at Lavender Residence. My wonderful Turkish neighbours provided myself and the other English resident with a lovely and totally unexpected Turkish breakfast which I enjoyed eating sat in the sun.  There was quite a selection of Turkish goodies.  When I eventually stopped eating I was totally stuffed!  I'm going to do a post about Turkish breakfast, which is quite a feast, on another day, maybe tomorrow? My baba (daddy) in a UK care home, is blind so I've started recording voice messages for him and I did another today and sent it on WhatsApp to the manager.  Doing it this way means the staff can arrange the best time to play it to him so ...

Again this weekend in many provinces there is 100% lock down with no one allowed out from their homes.  Looking at a police video of Kusadasi at 1am this morning, everyone is staying home.  It will be very hard on most people who are used to spending the weekends outside but it's just another day for me as I'm not allowed out at any time.  Although I can walk and exercise outside the apartment, I can't go out in public. Today, after some exercise (not enough really) I spent most of the day reading and listening to my 'chill out' music.  I joined in Rock Choir's 'Keep Britain Singing' at 3pm BST and for once didn't suffer any internet loss.  I was singing along to Firework and Symphony, at the top of my voice and with my higher alto harmonies.  For the sake of my neighbours I kept the windows closed. I ended up in an FB conversation with one of my Rock Choir friends about loo rolls and hand wash.  She told me she's managed to get loo rolls but c...

It is now getting very warm at Lavender Residence which is up the hill outside Sogucak, although there is also a gentle refreshing breeze.  It's quite reminiscent of a good, hot summer's day in England; not too hot but hot enough to take meals in the garden. My terrace, at the side of the lounge is covered by the apartment above but open on three sides.  As we get to the height of summer it will be excellent for all meals outside but with shelter from the searing sun.  For now, I've moved my table and a chair to the far end where the morning sun spreads it's light and warmth. This morning I sat outside with my coffee and a bowl of delicious, sweet strawberries that my neighbour brought back for me from the market.  On occasions, I have had good strawberries in the UK but generally they are a bit hard and often under ripe.  These were large, fully ripe, soft, juicy and so..................strawberryish 🍓. Then a few hours later, whilst the...