Day 42, On Tour with Turkish Motorhome Club, Van 30 Comments

This entry was posted in Turkey and tagged 2018 Asia Breathtaking Views Interviews Lake Motorhome Mountains Travel on

We wave goodbye to Mike and hit the road towards Van. Today, we are meeting the Turkish caravan club (the guys we bumped in to the other day) and instructions on the precise meeting point are a little vague and strange. A horse centre in the middle of a field?  Our 100km journey took us through what was once a lowland basin, later dammed by lava flowing from Nemrut Dağı. We were surrounded by a fertile plain and captivating mountains and of course, Van Lake. 

We turn off the main road a few kilometres from Van centre and down a country lane. Are the directions right, we are really not sure and as doubt kicks it the GPS runs out of road. Technically, the tarmac we are driving on does not exist. Is the distance we spot buntings, balloons and a load of military tanks. Looks like we have arrived at some barracks? Just as we were about to turn around we see people waving.  We edge further and see a group of motorhomes. Yeah, we found them!  We drive under the buntings and park up alongside a brand new campsite (more like a European aire). 

Our Bumble paid camping spot at Van GPS position N038.360732, E043.158869

We step out the van and the next 24 hours became a total and utter blur…in a nice way, of course. 

Basically, we arrived on the open day of what is quite a key tourist site for Van. The Mayor of Van and Eastern Anatolia along with the press, TV, the tourist board and a whole load of other people are attending. For us it feels like complete chaos because everyone wants to say hello to us and welcome us. Its like their whole point is to attract international tourists and we turn up!  

We try and say hello to everyone especially the motorhome club members. I am pulled in one direction and Craig in the other (hence not loads of photo’s). Lunch is provided which included dareka fish from the lake, a cold barley and herb soup, salad and bread. Eating unknown food stuff is Craigs worst nightmare. but equally he doesn’t want to offend. 

After a half an hour, Asif the Mayor surrounded by minders, military and police, arrives suddenly (note all military in pictures).  Wearing pale stone chinos and a light blue shirt, he is not only smart in his appearance but considerably young for a mayor. We are introduced immediate and he is extremely engaging and talkative.  When we ask him if he minds us taking photos in the presence of the military he waves his arm agreeably. He talks openly but carefully, seldom raising his voice, but relying more on expressively graceful hands to emphasise or illustrate a point.

Before we know it we are being asked questions about our time in Turkey. The camera men are filming our every move.  Our appearance on national TV was not all what we expected and the who experience is rather surreal. I look at Craig and chuckle, he looks as scruffy as they come with dirty shorts, sweaty t-shirt and dusty feet. He will not be comfortable with his appearance but this was far from planned. One interview over and another commences, this time for Asif’s facebook page. Our heads are are swimming. This is turning into some weird and surreal train journeys and there seems to be no point at which we can jump off…if at least for a wash and change of clothes.  

Formalities over, we chat a while, he makes a brief phone call and then announces his wife will join us shortly. Aylin arrives with their daughter, she is so pretty and hospitable. Tea is served and everyone mingles in pleasant conversation.

In the background, a seriously long table is set and at sunset we commence evening dinner. I am invited to sit alongside Aylin and join her for the rest of the evening. She attended university in the UK, which explains why her English is so good. We chat about all sorts and how she met her husband, Atif in Manchester. We keep conversation light and avoid the heavy political stuff.  Although deep inside I would love to hear her views on Kurds and Syrians in Turkey and the current situation. Clearly, her soft voice and unemotional delivery masks bracing views.

Time to depart and with a convoy of cars, tanks and military vehicles and entourage of gloriously conspicuous blue berets, armed police, military personnel and body guards they leave in a flash.  We huggle back around the campfire and as midnight approaches the hype of day catches up. We sink slowly in to our chairs and our eyelids start to close. Just as we think the show is over we are told tomorrow the show continues. We retire completely shattered and fall in to bed fully clothed.  

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