|
Marmaris, Turkey
Our crew left Oludeniz Turkey on Saturday the 7th of June 2003. We boarded a bus with our 9 bags and headed off along winding lanes, through absolutely beautiful mountains, to the tourist city of Marmaris. Marmaris is strictly a town designed and maintained to lure tourists. Most arriving in the summer and late spring. The majority of them are from England and Germany. A few from other European countries, but very few, if any, from America. Having toured and filmed in this beautiful country of Turkey, I find that fact strange. We Americans have to get out more and explore this glorious world. Turkey is not only extremely safe it is also a bargain, not to mention having stunning beauty. Upon arriving in Marmaris we parted from our larger bus and hopped on a smaller local one that dropped us off downtown. We hadn't made any hotel arrangements and we often don't, so as to maximize our adventures. At the downtown stop we were approached by a local man that was both friendly, spoke good English and of course knew right where to take us. I really didn't mind that he was paid a small percentage for bringing tourists to specific hotels. As long as the place he was directing us was both safe and respectable, I was game. Everyone needs to make a living! He helped carry our bags and believe me that was no easy task. Two of our bags weigh over 80 lbs. or about 35 kilos each. I saw that the man was struggling so I waved down a taxi. The trip was only five minutes and we pulled up in front of a small but active hotel with a restaurant in the front along the sidewalk. We walked into the lobby and I was immediately eyed for a minute by the hotel manager. I knew he was sizing me as to how much he could charge. I have learned to be direct when discussing prices and I quickly informed the man helping us that I was not a typical tourist and would not pay more that I felt the rooms were worth. The manager spurted out something in Turkish and it was translated to be 40 million Turkish Lira. Without hesitation I replied 35 million and it was agreed. I wasn't aware that the price also included breakfast. So I managed a better deal than I had thought. A US dollar is equal to approximately 1,500,000 Turkish lira. Thirty-five million is about $23.00 dollars. I am constantly asked by friends, family and even other world travelers if I am afraid when I wander for years on various ventures around the world? My answer is always the same. "Its not how long you live...Its how you live. I am alive until I die and until that time, I want to explore my world and learn more about my international counterparts." We must seek out the things that bond all of mankind and stop crucifying each other over the things that make us all unique. We must learn to appreciate our differences without judgment." Besides, I manage to have lots of fun along the way! Click here for more information! Review written by the touring editor; Mike Smith. This editorial in its entirety is the sole property of Travelers Digest and may not be distributed, sold or copied without prior written permission of Travelers Digest and/or its licensed representatives.
|
Travelers Digest Navigation
|