Discovering Adiyaman November 5-9, 2012

Orient Tale by Jekaterina

What can you see through the window? Snow? No! Clouds! And Fascinating Sunset!Our trip to Turkey started on November 4, the plane took off from Riga airport about 4 p.m. The clouds from the plane’s window really resembled snow and I couldn’t resist photographing.

The Mountains around AdiyamanI was really impressed to see the scenery different from our green Latvian landscapes.

Day 1 Hot greetings in AdiyamanThe greeting was really hot starting from the hot weather (Imagine +25⁰ C in November!), nice flowers for each team, incendiary traditional Turkish dance and really hot (I mean spicy) pies, baked in front of our eyes!

Hot ‘hot’ pies

Day 2It’s a nice day for trekking in the mountains!

Who destroyed the ancient civilization?

Explorers of Nemrut

Have you ever climbed a mountain? No, try! Though it’s very exhausting, it is worth climbing. Only at the very tops the sky is so incredibly blue, only at the very tops the most spectacular views, only at the very tops you feel completely free, only at the very tops the best friends are true friends, only at the very tops you can have the most memorable picnic in your life!

The gardens of Adiyaman

At first sight the ground looks infertile, but look, even in stones there are lots of plants! Flora is quite diverse and very different from Latvia’s.

Planting a commemorative forest

Our students didn’t stay aside and contributed their mite in a variety of Adiyaman flora.

Day 3 Visiting the mosque and the Christian churchUsually women are not allowed to enter the mosque, but our guides asked the elder for permission and they let us in. Both the mosque and the church were beautiful inside as well as outside.

The Streets of AdiyamanThe city of Adiyaman has left the impression of a very bright and sunny city where 212, 000 friendly, helpful and hospitable people live. The only thing which has slightly disappointed me was traffic. It was creating lots of beeps. The drivers and all kinds of riders never stop and let passers-by cross the road. Be careful on Turkish roads!

Day 4 We are at school againThe schoolchildren met us at the doors of their school and tried to follow everywhere. Everybody wanted to talk to us in English and have our signatures. We really felt as celebrities.

LessonsThe students were invited to participate in Music lesson and learn a traditional Turkish song, but the teachers were invited to attend a lesson of the Turkish language and Literature.

Attention! Logo wanted!There were not many logos brought to Adiyaman so far, so the contest on the logo of the project is still open. Imagine, draw and who knows may be your logo will get the most votes and be approved as the project’s logo. Good Luck!

Wedding tradition in Adiyaman

In the afternoon the surprise was waiting for us. The pupils of junior forms performed a play for us. It told about traditional wedding and Henna night. The play was in Turkish, but young actors were so expressive and emotional, that we could understand almost everything.

A Farewell PartyIn the evening one more surprise was waiting for us. The teachers and students had a reunion in a very beautiful castle, where we had an opportunity to communicate with each other, enjoy traditional Turkish meals, music and dances and to see the pictures of a very talented Arts teacher Mehmet Kaplan.

Day 5 – The Last Day

On the last day we visited the local museum, it was not very big, but extremely interesting. We discovered new Turkey again.

The Sweet DayI know now what I will really miss in Latvia – Turkish delight - Rahat Lokum. The sweets looked and tasted equally delicious. The shop assistant called Jusun was very helpful to please us. He treated us with the most delicious sweets that we were willing to bring home.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION!

During these 5 days we have made a lot of friends in Adiyaman. I know this is a really place to come

back and be sure you are always welcome!