A Loss For All

Photos: ice cream boat, sign language, relaxing on boat

Oct 28, 2022-Kayakoy-Ghost Town As we were taking our orientation walk last night,Tom asked me if it bothered us when Rudy took God’s name in vain. I told him it didn’t and occasionally I did the same and even used the name of Jesus in the say way. He was shocked. A discussion ensued about the biblical prohibition and a debate regarding the Hebrew translation. I reminded Tom that it wasn’t a good idea to argue with David about Hebrew and walked away. Eventually, the conversation ended. I must say I like Tom and Cheryl a lot.. We’re respectful of our differences and get on well. Today’s walk up to the Ghost Town was an example. Tom stayed back with us to be sure David was able to make the climb and descent. We didn’t need his help, but his presence was a generous gesture. Then I overheard them saying they’d need to vote absentee soon or not at all.When they decided their vote didn’t matter, I inwardly smiled. One less vote in Tennessee for the opposition. The story of the Ghost Town (Kayakoy) speaks to politicians deciding what’s expedient and disrupting large populations. In 1923, Greece and Turkey were doing battle over Ottoman territory lost to Greece prior to WW I. To end hostilities the governments agreed to a population trade: Greeks for Turks. One problem was that Turks in Greece were typically farmers and Greeks in Turkey were typically artisans. Each population was forced to move with only what they could carry. Turks in this area ended up in a terraced stone village of 1,000 houses with no arable land. Eventually everyone except six families abandoned the village. Even though moving people around like pawns for political reasons isn’t new (Hungarians/Romanians; Israelis/Palestinians; Pakistanis/Indians), governments keep doing it. The ghost town climb was rated a #2 out of 5 difficulty level. It wasn’t steep, but the footing was awful. There was comic relief when a small herd of goats tried to get around us and into their pen. They were more afraid of us than we were of the pitfalls of the trail. We rested at a cafe at the end and enjoyed the best guzleme yet. We’re getting picky. We also enjoyed clean western toilets that forbade squatting on the seat, smoking, or reading while using the facilities. Th boat met us at the end of our climb and our first encounter with a dinghy transfer was successful.The crew is strong and specific in giving us directions to balance the skiff. No one fell in the water and no one took compromising pictures of us scrambling up the ladder. After lunch there was another hike rated #3. We declined. We skipped swimming as well since the air temp is low 70’s. We hung out on the boat and napped on deck. But our ice-cream wishes were granted. An ice-cream boat cruised up. We had double chocolate Magnum bars. Heaven. We pulled into a cove and tied up for the night among million dollar yachts. One wealthy owner was flying around the water on a hoverboard. Rudy was fascinated by it and looked up the price. We were appalled to learn they “start” at $12,499. There was to be a three and a half (at least) hour hike tomorrow morning. No one wants to go. I think Rudy is relieved. It’s rated a level #4. Rudy rewarded us by serenading us before dinner. Tomorrow we explore Cleopatra’s underwater baths.