Hi guys.
This post is written by a very happy girl, sitting in a hotel room somewhere in Doğubayazıt, Turkey. I’m smiling, sneak eating cherries before sunset (Ramadan) and singing along to Swedish music. Things are really good right now.
Why? I’ve had a 5 day visit from my Dad.
I don’t have to say much more than that, right? What started out as a joke about 6 months ago actually turned into reality. He didn’t only come to Turkey – he actually jumped onto a bike and joined me for three full days of cycling.
From Erzurum to Doğubayazıt – the last outpost before the border to Iran – he has been pedaling alongside me and I couldn’t ask for a better way to end my long stay here in Turkey. I’m absolutely stoked to have gotten to show someone close to me kind of what my days look like.
I wanted my Dad to see it all. The downhills, the headwinds, the people, the weird stuff – everything.
But sure – three days is only that much time to get to see and experience the different aspects of life on the road. And to suddenly afford to stay in hotels every night make things a whole lot more hassle free and eventless than what I’m used to. But still I am so happy with the days we spent together, working the Turkish roads.
The start of Ramadan naturally ment days with less çay than ever before. But luckily that didn’t stop the Turks from being as generous, upfront and talkative as always. And my Dad got to experience some of the never ending hospitality and curiousity from random people.
As well as the constant presence of animals hanging out on the roads
And even a Chinese fellow bikepacker, going in the other direction
My Dad is many things, but an athlete is not one of them. Starting I was a little worried that the cycling would be too much. But without hesitance, he joined in for a couple of pretty cool mountain passes.
…and even got into it enough to join in for the dorky (but mandatory) pass pics!
Of course though. This also meant that he got to enjoy some pretty tired legs by the end of the day.
Not just tired legs, it turned out
Is he …dead?
Apart from cool adults and other travellers, he got to meet a bunch of sweet kids welcoming him to their country.
And then see the same kids being horribly cruel to animals, just for kicks.
Yes, this one is seconds away from getting it’s head badly beaten with the stick
Luckily for me, Dad decided not only to experience Turkey – but to also bring some of Sweden to me. At home people were celebrating the national holiday Midsommar, and he made sure to get us into the right spirit.
On the third day of cycling, we rolled into Doğubayazıt where we had time to spend one day off the bikes.
That we would go to check out Mt. Ararat was pretty much a given from the start. With its’ 5100 meter it’s the highest peak in Turkey, and according to the legend where Noah’s ark stranded. Ahmet – the owner of our hotel joined as our guide and we had a absolutely great day walking halfway up the mountain.
Awesome days to say the least. However, having him leave early this morning was so weird.
‘Thanks for coming. Say Hi to Mum and my brothers! See you …sometimes.’
Quick hug and then he jumped into the taxi and drove off. And that was that.
I usually have difficulty saying goodbye to people I’ve met and spent one evening with. Saying goodbye to my own Dad, without having any idea when I’ll see him again, was something else. However, I’m absolutely thrilled he was here, and I really feel like I’ve gotten just the boost of energy and confidence I needed as I’m taking a new giant step already tomorrow morning.
I’m entering Iran.
With everything from visa to hijab in order, I’m ready to do this. I’m as excited as could be, and next time you hear from me I’ll be on the other side of the border.
Wish me luck!
Fredrika