MY 11 MONTHS OF EVS (PART 1)

INTRODUCTION

I want to remind for the readers, that I am Anatolij from rainy country Lithuania and I went to Turkey to make my EVS. 11 months already passed, my EVS comes to the final end, but it is so nice to come back to time and remember what interesting happened with me in this long term. Of course it is not a short story, but I will try to mention the most important moments in this period.

COMING TO KAYSERI AND ADOPTATION

I came to Kayseri in February, to be concrete February, 4. In the beginning nothing strange happened to me, I have been in Turkey already 2 times before my EVS and more or less knew what is waiting for me. Just I haven’t been in the center of Turkey, in Kayseri, but I didn’t expect how important for me this city will become. Kayseri is exactly the city in which I would like to stay, it is not big, not overcrowded like other big cities in Turkey, it has a soul and I also left my heart in this city. ❤ Even now I am living in Ankara, but use every chance when I have free days to go to Kayseri. Also I have personal reasons why Kayseri is so important for me, but it is too personal and I don’t want to share about it in this blog. Just can say, that who knows me closer, they understand me what I mean… J (Photo Nr. 1)

What is interesting in Kayseri for me? It is located near Erciyes mountain, just 45 min to Cappadocia, also has Ali mountain which I like to climb sometimes, has really picturesque places and the most interesting place for me is Talas – a district of Kayseri. I am proud to say that I lived in the center old town part of Talas, in konak (Photo Nr. 2) – a very old building, made of stone bricks. I spend here more than 4 months, but pleasant memories about this place will stay with me forever! Every time when I was going outside of the building, I felt like I am in a medieval place, everything is so old, massive and beautiful at the same time. Of course there were some challenges for me also in this place, like toilet and kitchen in the part of the building, that can be reached only by going outside, but this memories now became not more than funny adventure. I am not the person, who needs special conditions to live, so I easily adapted to all small difficulties and spend really nice time and moments in this lovely place… J I had some weeks to meet with my new living conditions and in the end of February I had my first vacations.

GAZIANTEP, ADANA AND ISTANBUL VISIT

During my first vacations I decided to visit my friend from previous Erasmus+ project. I went to unknown for me before city named Gaziantep. I was not so calm in the beginning because this city is very close to Syria.  I had some fears about this war situation in Syria and calm down only then finally came to this city. I went to Gaziantep by bus.  I liked it, it was the end of February, but the weather was so warm that I could easily walk just with shorts and t-short. It was really big contrast for me, because when I left Kayseri, it was completely winter with a lot of snow and minus 5 degrees below zero. On the way from Kayseri to Gaziantep in the mountain temperature outside sometimes were even minus 20 degrees below zero (Photo Nr. 3). But when I came to Gaziantep everything there were green, trees with a lot of leaves, even with yellow mandarins and oranges. I spend just some hours in Gaziantep, saw the Gaziantep castle (Photo Nr. 4), city center, tried the most tasty baklava, bought Antep pistachios and went to next city called Adana.

By weather conditions, Adana is similar with Gaziantep, also so warm and sunny. I stayed in Adana in my new friends house for some days, but I can’t say it were simple and ordinary days. With my friends we ate every time in different places, went to live music concert, visited many picturesque places along all Adana lake, also botanic park in Adana (Photo Nr. 5), a lot of activities. But the most interesting thing happened when my friends were busy and I had whole day to explore Adana by myself. I like walking so much, so I went by foot. In the beginning nothing special, I was walking along the Adana lake, making photos, admiring nature… When suddenly I reached Adana dumb. There was no way for pedestrians to walk, so I went by grass. I walked till the end of dumb and noticed beautiful big flag of Turkey. It was the biggest flag that I saw, so I made photos of it (Photo Nr. 6) and went further. I noticed near me a fenced and secured territory with cameras, signalization and other staff. 

I went along this fence when suddenly a policeman called me and asked to come. I came and he started to ask a lot of questions, who am I, what I am doing here, asked to show my ID card, passport, my bag pack. But the funniest moment was when he asked me to stand near the fence, told to put my arms on the wall and he started to check me like I am a criminal. He asked do I have something like knife or a gun in my pocket… J Honestly, it was first time somebody checking me like that, in the airport it is different, but I was so calm about it. Two more officers came, we were talking, smiling, they tried to check by my ID and passport all info about me, they also called my friends. Also they checked all my photos and deleted some. When checking finished they explained what was the problem. In Turkey after July 15^th accident, when military wanted to take power in the country government started special security situation. A lot of people were sent to jail, situation is still difficult. So this check was because of this. In the end we smile to each other, shacked each other hands even two times and they wished me good stay in Turkey, but warned not to make photos of military or important governmental places. Later, I explained my all adventure to my friends, sometimes we laughed, sometimes it was not so funny, but it is good that finished without any consequences. Even when I was going home for my vacations to Lithuania, I was afraid that in the airport they will ask something about this situation or I can have problems. So my adventure in Adana finished, I packed my staff and went to Istanbul to meet with my colleague Mindaugas, who also was a volunteer like me, came to Kayseri some days later and had on-arrival project in Istanbul in that time.

I came to Istanbul by plane, my friends leaded me to the airport of Adana early in the morning and before 12 I was already in Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian part of Turkish capital. I needed more than 1 hour to reach Istanbul city center called Taxim to meet with my colleague Mindaugas. We met at about 14 and directly went to the hotel which we booked before. The stayed in Fatih district, most touristic place in Istanbul. In Turkish capital I was not the first time, I knew the city and was like a guide to my colleague. I showed some interesting places, we went to Grand Bazaar, were sitting near Blue Mosque and Ayah Sophia, made 2 hours Basehor tour (Photo Nr. 7), a lot of activities in these short 3 days. I felt really pleasant, relaxed and happy to have these vacations just in the beginning of my EVS. I came to Kayseri on February 27 in the evening and next day February 28 I had my 31^st Birthday.

THE HEART OF ANKARA

Before visiting any city everybody searching for information: what to do in this city, what to see, how to spend nice time? I did the same, found most popular places in Ankara. I like architecture and picturesque views of the city very much. In this blog I want to write about my trip to one of the most interesting parts of the Turkish capital – Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi).

Some facts about Ankara Castle. It is located not so far from the city center and standing above Ulus, the oldest district of Ankara. The exact age of Ankara Castle is still unknown, it has hosted many different civilizations such as Hittite, Phrygia, Persian, Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman. Every tribe left a trace upon that charming construction in order to reflect their own tradition, culture and architectural style.

Renovated again and again by Romans, Seljuk, and Ottoman, Ankara Castle consists of citadel and bailey (inside and outside of the castle) surrogated 20 separate towers. Citadel cover approximately 43.000 km² field with a wall that rises 14-16 meters and includes 42 towers with pentagon corners. The castle’s highest point, called Akkale, stands tall in the southeastern corner. 

My trip started from my house which is located in the center of Ankara, called Kizilay. It is only 2,1 km and about 35-40 min by foot. I like walking so much, it is the best way to explore the city, so I went there at afternoon when the sun was shining and weather was not so hot (it was middle of autumn). I took only my camera and small bag pack, expecting big dose of positive emotions  (photo # 1)

I entered the castle from the main gate (near the clock tower) (photo # 2) and passed by different historical buildings. Some of them are renovated and became popular touristic spots (cafes, souvenir shops etc.), but rest are still not in the best conditions.

Firstly, I went to the northern part of the Castle – beautiful tower with a red flag (photo # 3). I wanted to enter the tower, was searching for entrance, walking around 2, 3 circles to observe all possibilities, but it was closed 😞 Anyway, I came there to make photos, so I did it 😃

I was surprised by the contrast of  the view which I saw. The north view was a big hill with old, ruined and not attractive buildings; actually it was ruins of buildings (photo # 4). West view was to a district named Ulus which I mentioned before. It was also contrast with a part of old small buildings very close to the Castle and big modern commercial skyscrapers on the back view (photo # 5). I rested a bit in this place, made small picnic and continue my exploration of this historical place.

Honestly, I didn’t notice the stairs to the citadel on my right in the beginning of my exploration and passed them 😄. Only on my way back I visited Citadel. I reached stair, lots of them, and even here there were a lot of people. They were selling different goods, small and big souvenirs, like fridge magnets, handmade clothes, bags, lots of things. But mostly I was impressed inside the citadel. I heard some sounds while climbing the stairs, but when I entered Citadel I noticed 5 people playing different instruments a live music. It was so nice and very suitable to this place. I felt very comfortable and happy. 

However, also I noticed that there are a lot of other people, tourists, locals, mostly youngsters. They were sitting everywhere they wanted, exactly like I wrote. Brave ones just on the edge of the walls, others on the stairs, everywhere they wanted, there were no fence or safety barriers (photo # 6). I have some fear of height, so I didn’t risk so much, just climbed the highest place, experience some adrenaline for 1 minute and went to safer place 😄. Here the view to 360 degrees all around was also so perfect. I made some photos and was fully satisfied with the choice to visit this place (photo # 7, photo # 8).

Sometimes You are expecting something from a trip or visit, but here emotions and pleasure were above my expectations. I really recommend this place for those, who like historical architecture, picturesque view and not afraid to overcome some difficulties like climbing for a result, which can surprise You! 💗

FROM VILNIUS TO KAYSERI (PART ONE)

Hello, I am Anatolij from Vilnius Lithuania and I am 30 years old. One day I found the opportunity to have EVS (European Voluntary Service) in Kayseri Turkey in International Youth Activities Center Association (IYACA). One of my Lithuanian friends posted it in Facebook and I decided not to miss this chance. Moreover, it was my last opportunity to do EVS, because in one month I used to become 31 year old. When my candidacy was accepted I started to organize my trip from Vilnius to far Kayseri city. I bought flight tickets and my route was with 2 stops: one in Kiev Ukraine and another in Istanbul Turkey, so in total 3 flights. But I can say that every flight was with an adventure… 😄