Beachin' Fethiye

*Click on the main title Beachin' Fethiye for a link to our album.*

The morning we left for Fethiye was interesting for us, as most scheduled mornings are these days. There was miscommunication with the travel agency and our ride to the bus station was not at our hotel when we needed to leave. After figuring out the man at the hotel counter did not understand English Ben called the travel agency. Within a few minutes we had a ride and were on our way, whew! Of course we still didn't have a bus ticket. As we headed to the bus station our driver assured us our ticket to Fethiye was handled. Yep, it was handled alright. We had a ticket on a local "minibus". It was cute, had friendly staff, was independently owned and stopped for every person on the side of the road who needed a ride our way. When I say our way I mean someone may have needed a ride a mile, hopefully you are getting the picture. The “four hour” bus ride we expected turned into six. Lucky for us there was yet another Turkish Angel sitting in the seat behind us that kept Alex busy for the first half of our ride and the little boy sitting next to us knew enough English to help us tell the bus driver to turn on the air conditioning when it started to get toasty. This was our first dolmus experience!

Once we arrived into Fethiye, Steve, our CouchSurfing host, met us and we promptly went across the street for some yummy pita (Turkish style pizza) where we met Sharon and their 8 month old Sebastian. After pita we took another minibus to their one bedroom apartment where the six of us would call home for the next week. (Did I mention how generous they were to us?) They shared their experience of Sebastian eating "grown up" food. Sebastian generally eats what they are eating and in the form they are eating it. It is amazing to watch him eat a tomato like an apple! This experience has helped bring out my courage to give Alex foods that I would have thought of giving him and probably would not have (because some book told me everything had to be a certain way) and bland. Flavor is the spice of life and I am excited to share it with my lil' man! Ben is getting into it as well which is fun to watch.

Steve and Sharon guided us on a wonderful hike through a crumbling Greek city, which was abandoned after WWI due to the Turkish/Greek population exchange. It is amazing to think a whole city, gone within hours! We hiked on a trail through the mountains which led to the sea. This trail has been the life-blood for the cities on the mountain side for thousands of years. When we finally arrived at the shore we found a campground, sat down and enjoyed a nice picnic lunch. This is where Steve introduced Ben to cheese sandwich with potato chips. We were all happy! 

By this time Ben, Alex and I decided that we were going to stay in Fethiye for a little longer to rest up and enjoy the beach. Steve helped us find an apartment in the same complex so our move was short. This was also good for the boys because they both came down with a cold. It was Alex's first proper cold. He was over the brunt of it within a few days with much breastfeeding and sleep. The Nose Frieda (Thanks Christy and Brian) was a savior! We could suck all of that gross snot right out of his nose. I am glad to say he is back to his energetic self, rolling over every time we wish he would sit still.

We spent the next week hanging out, taking walks and contemplating the next leg of our journey. We met many wonderful people and would highly recommend a trip to Turkey (especially if you have a baby).

There have been many adjustments for us which I will touch more on in my next blog. In the meantime reach for your dreams...it is worth it! 

Peace and Love, 

Jamie, Ben and Alex