Day 37 - Don Curry's beer is confiscated

During the first week of his trip, Don Curry stocked up on Turkish beers, including various Efes types, Tuborg variations, and Bomonti, the oldest brewery in the country founded by two Swiss brothers but now part of Efes. Throughout the journey, Don Curry made sure to replenish his beer supply so that he always had a cold one for the evening. However, today this careful planning would become a problem.

Don Curry skipped breakfast today in order to reach his first destination, Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk in Ankara, shortly after opening hours. When he arrived at the site just after 9:00 am, like all other visitors, he was first stopped to get out of the car, open the trunk, and answer whether he had guns, knives, or alcohol with him. Don Curry had to admit that he had two cans of Efes Extra in the car. The security officer temporarily confiscated them, explaining that Don Curry also had to carry his travel bag to a scanning machine, similar to those at airports, for inspection. Don Curry resigned himself to his fate, carried his bag to the scanner, and reluctantly handed over the two beer cans. In the process, he tried to recall numerous terrorist attacks, assassinations, and massacres caused by beer cans, but his memory didn't serve him well in this regard. At least he was given a key that would allow him to retrieve the confiscated beer cans, with a reminder not to forget to collect them. Meanwhile, he could carry his bag with the hidden bottle of raki back to his car.

On the parking lot, dozens of people dressed in formal attire had already gathered. When Don Curry wanted to walk past them on the main path towards the mausoleum, a security guard informed him that a ceremony was about to begin and he had to choose a different entrance. So, Don Curry went around the extensive complex of buildings to use the rear entrance. Once again, a security guard approached him, addressed him as 'Efendi,' and made it clear that he could only use the left staircase, not the right one. Upon entering the courtyard of the mausoleum, Don Curry saw around 200 people dressed in formal attire solemnly walking over the main path towards Ataturk's tomb, carrying a wreath. Meanwhile, he explored other buildings and saw Ataturk's car, his small yacht, and the anti-aircraft gun that had pulled his coffin. When the 200 solemn individuals disappeared inside the mausoleum, a trumpet played a sentimental melody, causing everyone on the courtyard to pause. Afterwards, the solemn 200 streamed out of the mausoleum, gathered for a group photo, and dispersed. Now, everyone could visit Ataturk's tomb, and Don Curry was among the first to enter. If it hadn't been for the colorful and folkloric decorations on the ceiling and pillars, this high and spacious room would have seemed cold and empty, with nothing but a giant coffin inside. Even the wreath placed by the 200 solemn individuals had already been removed. But the elements of folk art clearly reminded everyone that this was not just a long-deceased ruler but a true 'Father of the Nation.' And the people came to him! Shortly after Don Curry left the mausoleum, the courtyard filled up even more, and student groups, school classes, kindergarten groups, delegations from different districts of the country, women in traditional costumes, and 50 young officers marching in formation all streamed towards Ataturk. It was clear that a long queue had formed in front of the mausoleum. Don Curry left the parking lot, exchanged the key for the confiscated beer cans, which were now considered extremely dangerous, and accelerated out of Ankara towards the north.

In the tiny village of Kasaba, located in the mountainous hinterland of the Black Sea coast, there was a mosque dating back to the 13th century. The interior structure of the mosque was entirely made of wood, without a single nail. Don Curry admired the colorful painted columns, ceiling beams, and elements of the double-decker gallery construction. When he climbed up two ladders to the highest balcony just below the wooden ceiling, the loud creaking of the wood and the slight swaying of the balcony prevented him from going all the way to the front. After all, he didn't want to risk this historical building suddenly being removed from the list of UNESCO World Heritage candidates due to collapse. When he left the mosque, a man standing in front of it gave him three apples while talking on the phone. Was Don Curry the 10,000th visitor? Should the apples motivate him to advertise the Mahmut Bey Mosque in Kasaba? He couldn't ask because the man continued talking endlessly on the phone. So, Don Curry zoomed away with the three apples...

However, it seemed like he was driving a bit too fast. Soon, he got caught in a freshly placed speed camera by the police and was promptly pulled over 500 meters further. Two traffic police officers asked him to step out of the car and hand over his driver's license and ID card. Then, they tried to enter his violation into their tablet based on these data to demand the fine. It seemed to be challenging. After 10 minutes, they called for their superior's help, causing him to stop his radar monitoring. Even the chief couldn't find a way to enter Don Curry's ID card number as an ID number into the Turkish police system. After another 10 minutes, during which Don Curry patiently waited in complete calmness, the police team gave up. 'You can go,' the chief said, and Don Curry drove away without punishment. It's a good thing that data collection is not always compatible...

After another hour of driving, Don Curry reached the picturesque town of Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994 due to its numerous traditional Ottoman timber-framed houses that still dominate the entire old town. Even the cobblestone streets were authentically contemporary and gave Don Curry a good shake. His hotel, 'Gulevi Safranbolu,' consisted of three of these old houses, and in between, the owner and architect Hassan had created a truly magical garden. The only downside of the furnishings in these 200 to 300-year-old houses, as perceived by Don Curry, was the Ottoman preference for lying down rather than sitting. Both the extensive 'seating area' and his bed had a maximum height of 30 cm. The mattresses could have been placed directly on the floor. Hassan provided him with good sightseeing tips and told him about the only restaurant in Safranbolu where beer and wine were served. And as Don Curry quickly found out, they also had raki since he was the only one drinking beer in the restaurant, while three groups of men were enjoying raki alongside various mezzes. Don Curry opted for shepherd's salad, chicken skewers, Tuborg Amber, and a double Efe Gold -Raki as a liquid dessert. Back at the hotel, he emptied one of the extremely dangerous beer cans...