From Antalya to Izmir

End of October 2020 to beginning of March 2021:

From October 25th, I will continue hiking the Likian Yolu for two more days until Kas. From here, I will take a bus back to Kemer, where I will enjoy the peace and quiet on the familiar campsite for a few more days.

For the beginning of November, I have arranged a new Workaway placement in Izmir. I will be living with a young Turkish family and speaking German with their two sons, who are six and nine years old. I am really excited.

On October 30th, I will take the bus from Antalya Otogar (bus station) to Izmir Otogar. Bus travel in this country is very affordable and reliable. I will pay 90 TL (about 9 euros).

Upon arriving in Izmir, everything goes completely different than expected once again. I have found a affordable hostel in Izmir city, where I want to spend the weekend to relax and settle in before starting my new job on Monday. During the journey to Izmir, I receive a message from a friend in Germany that Izmir was hit by a Richter scale seven earthquake this morning. Worried about my host family, I send them a message. Thankfully, everyone is fine! They packed everything and went to their weekend house in Zeytinalani/Urla. They suggest that I come to them right away, as it is safer since their house is located away from the city center. With the help of my dear host mom over the phone, I manage to arrive at their place close to midnight. Islen, my host mom, welcomes me warmly and shows me to my room...there is a proper bed waiting for me, a true luxury 😊 What a relief 🙏 😍

I will stay with the family for a little over four months. It's a long time, during which I will spend Christmas and New Year's Eve with them. They have practically adopted me, I am now part of the family. I have grown very fond of the two boys, Atlas and Ares, during this time, and Islen has become a good friend to me. I am very grateful for this wonderful time! On my days off, I have explored Izmir and the surrounding area. There have been some beautiful trips, including Cesme, Alacati, Kasaburun, hiking near Ismir/Balcova, Ephesus/Selcuk, Foca, and Pamukkale.

Now, on March 10th, my journey is set to continue.