Çanakkale, Turkey

I have been so tired after these 3500 km. alone on my bicycle. I actually just thought I would go to Ukraine (1700 km.) for the EURO 2012 but the adventure really has developed everyday. I met lots of amazing people out there, had so many fun, unexpected and psychedelic experiences and lots of moments where I felt soooo alone and soooo afraid - these experiences makes the moments where you have company much much much more enjoyable... Thats life! Risks make everything just better.

Time for some headlines:

I did the trip Denmark-Turkey in 45 days so as you can imagine I had not much time each place. Nevertheless I tried to meet as many great people as possible.

In Germany I knocked on random doors to ask for shelter (and was invited by a witch!)

Went to the EURO 2012 in L'viv to watch football matches with my new blogger-friend Steve Haenish who hosted me when in Hamburg.

I danced with the locals in the poorest country of Europe: Moldavia

Shared apricots with children running beside my bike in Romania.

In Bulgaria I met this amazing walker Nick Hunt who walks from Rotterdam to Istanbul and we shared some views of life together in the mountains.

These were some of the experiences a bicycle ride can give you - leave your home without any plans but an open mind.

Çanakkale is a wonderful town. And it's interesting historical sights doesn't make the spot less attractive. Here is everything a traveler needs: 100.000 friendly locals who are willing to help you anytime, damn tasty delicious food always served with a smile. Europe is a 10 minutes journey away by ferry, memorial parks from WW1 are just right in your backyard and a stone's throw away you will find the most stunning sandy beaches. It's cheap to live here for a Scandinavian and the sun is shining ALL day long during the summer months. Furthermore Çanakkale seems as a place where every culture is represented and welcome - so you can find people and travellers from all over Turkey and the rest of the world.
Sounds good? Come visit!

I spent two weeks here in Çanakkale - I really felt that I needed to make some temporary friends who was not just a "hello and goodbye"-relation. I stayed with the female activist and anarchist Ceren - a girl with lots of power (and she threw out her boyfriend while I was here...). She is really fighting for a brighter future for the women rights in a conservative Turkey. She is organizing "kissing in public"-sessions on the main square of Çanakkale and stuff like that. I guess she has chosen the perfect town to live.

Many nights are spent here with happy girls and boys. Enjoying sunsets. Nights. Stars. Kısses. Smiles. Tea. Music. Books. Love it!

Also biking makes you soooo hungry and so I spent many days only eating. Haha. I got a fun job in a tiny restaurant where I'm currently helping watering the streets every day, I deliver take-away food to costumers in different offices and the best thing is that I get to know more about the Turks and their fantastic, spicy, colorful and balanced cuisine.

If you are on Snapguide - enjoy my TRAVEL-FOOD-recipes!

My physical condition is now pretty good (well only my bicycle muscels) and I am sure my legs could continue around the world on bicycle, but my mind is tired. I feel like I would loose my sense of imagination and curiousness if I continue alone along the endless roads. I guess I am afraid of getting crazy and weired. I want to develop myself and not just do the same thing every day. You know - traveling is so wonderful because of all the different days and because you break out of everyday life. If I continued on the bicycle it would be like having a full time job from 8-16. And I wouldn't even get paid! That said it has been the most fantastic journey İ have ever done - I have never ever felt so nonentity and free!!!!!!! I can highly recommend this way of traveling and transportation, it's hard work yes, but it is so exciting.
I will of cause continue traveling!! I am thinking of a new, trendy way to do so.

I will now park my dear bike here in Turkey for a while and head on to Lebanon on a plane :)

Çanakkale in Pictures

Watering the streets in front of the restaurant where I learn about Turkish food culture and  Turkish behavior.
Where: Çanakkale, Turkey

Here I am visiting a beautiful garden of walnuss and peaches! This man is my new friend. His name is Tadkin and is a very creative and excellent chef!
Where: Dardanos beach, Turkey

Eating peaches from the trees!

Same garden. DOG ATTACK!

ACTİON: Go-carting with Tarik and Berk (two Turks)!

I met this random guy sitting in a chair on the strret. He talked to me in turkish and we chatted a little until my  turkish words came to an end. Then he went int his house to fınd his rifle which I should see! His wife seemed a bit sceptical - two men, a west full of ammunition, a rifle and a publıc street. Haha. Good moment!

Shooting-pose DOWNTOWN!

This was my gift from the hunter.

We organized a couchsurfing party in Cerens apartment. We danced the whole night away!

What can I say. It's Baklava. It's sweet. It's wonderful. It's sex in my mouth! LOVE YOU!

Taskin is preparing Pişi in his oil bath. A great little good morning snack.

This costumer just got two Pişis delivered in his shop. And he seems happy about his life!

Two days ago İ decided to cut my hair in an oldschool way: A pot on my head, a random guy and a scissor. See the result at my Sapguide "How To Do The Lovely Pot Haircut"

  

A wonderful and mouth watering restaurant sign!

Su Böreği. Like a lasagne without meat and replaced by cottage cheese, parsley and oil. MY FAVORİTE BREAKFAST!

Inside this bakery two men were making the delicious Turkish meat Pide!

Dear Atatürk is always watching you when in Turkey!
Where: on my way to the memorial park from The Battle of Çanakkale, WW1.

I was in search of a new way of transportation and so we ended up looking for a horse. My dear host Ceren left this amazing lap/message to me: "Hello Tobias. I call(ed) my friend. Everything is okay - when we wake up in the afternoon we will go to the gypsy area!!" Haha. SO SPOOKY!

And here we are waiting for the horse to appear. It was 11PM and a very spooky area of Çanakkale. The horse came. It was bleeding a lot from one of it's legs and we now understood why the wanted to sell the animal at night. Gangsters! So status is the same. Still in search for a new way of transportation!

/T-spotter