Turkish chit chat

This döner store is within walking distance from the Erboy and I came here twice to get its tasty chicken wrap. This clip was filmed during my first visit. Even though the chaps here are canvassing for customers with their pleasantries, generally, Turkısh people are very frıendly and hospıtable!

Trabzon eats & treats

                                        (Edi ... need help with names of food!)

A custom of this restaurant: patrons are invited to leave a note behind under the glass tabletop. Great idea, especially for someone like me who has come from afar!                                     

Translation of sign: Specific to the Black Sea region. Structure is used to dry corn.

Christmas shopping at the Trabzon Forum. Well, not exactly correct, for Turks do not celebrate the occasıon, but incorporates festivities of the new year. Storefront windows have banners wishing all a Happy New Year. 

                                        Ruins of a former palace.

Goodbye Trabzon

Goodbye Turkey (from Ataturk)

                                           Landing in Ataturk (from Trabzon)

Trabzon up and about

We had dinner at this restaurant on a hill (main, above). I had another memorable meal of chıcken and mushrooms.

I vısıted Trabzon Forum numerous tımes, each tıme eatıng somethıng dıfferent. Everythıng that I ate tasted good; I must have put on at least a kılogram!

The Black Sea surf rollıng up the beach behind the hotel I was staying at.

Trabzon travels - Sumela Monastery

We stopped at a restaurant on the way to Sumela and had fısh for lunch. I was told that the fısh was coated wıth cornflour then fried to a tasty and crispy finish. I enjoyed the meal thoroughly even though there were 6 paırs of eyes staring at me, apparently a rare specimen in this part of the world!

The ice and snow-covered climb to the monastery had me in sheer trepidation. There were many, many moments of regret during the hike up, but as the pictures show, they were worth it!

               Tryiıng to be cool and smile for the camera. A slip and I could have peed in my pants if it hadn't been for ...

                                          my good friend and guide, who certainly deserved a shot!

                               Vıew from one of the windows overlooking the mountains.

Sumela monastery is locked up every night. Staff make sure that no visitor is left behind. We were extremely grateful for the downhill ride offered to us darkness was approaching!