This time in Datça has been an almost meditative experience – a lesson in visiting a foreign country on its own terms. Often, tourists approach traveling abroad from the standpoint of what they expect to accomplish from the experience, rather than what they might learn from exploring a different culture. They might not be involved in planning, and chose to travel in groups of familiar, like-minded people who stay together in pre-arranged tourist accommodations. No judgement on that kind of point A to B travel experience. It works well for fast-paced trips designed to spend time with friends or eliminate an item on your “bucket list,” but I’m a slow traveler.
Staying a while in a “local” accommodation is half the experience of understanding and learning about different cultures. It takes time and patience, and you must be open to experiencing a certain amount of the “unknown“. Sometimes, things don’t work out like you imagined – but that’s part of the adventure.
It took me a few weeks in Datça to warm up to the place. During previous visits to Bodrum and Datça, I saw most of the major attractions – Knidos, Ephesus, Pamakale, et al – and experienced the beauty of the Mediterranean / Aegean coastline and its indescribably spectacular vistas.
This time, I’m settling in and mingling with the locals. Although it felt awkward in the beginning, some of them recognize me now, smile, and say hello. It’s a tight-knit community, and the love and regard people have for each other is clear. Sadly, many in the US have become uncaring and removed from their neighbors. It’s not like that in Datça, where life is simple but fulfilling.
This post contains a few photos that will forever remain among my memories of this lovely place. :o)
It looks wonderful.