A road trip to Kiskalesi turned into a pretty cool adventure. We went to the beach and from a distance I could see the Maiden and King Castles. They were spectacular to look at. We could have paddled out to the Maiden’s castle but I needed to save the lira (Turkish currency) for the Cafe Rain.
In this post, I want to focus on the two castles and the folklore surrounding them.
The Maiden's Castle
There are several stories surrounding the Maiden’s Castle. The most popular is as follows…
The King loved his daughter and wanted her to marry well. She, however, followed her heart and fell in love with a common man. To prevent their union, the King built a castle in the sea where he kept his daughter. Some of the tales go on to say how the valiant young commoner fought through the waves, only to die in her arms at the land’s edge. Other versions of this story say both died from grief and the King had no heirs. Tragic.
Another tale surrounds prophecy. In it the daughter is fated to die tragically by her 17th (some say 16th) birthday. So, to save his daughter, the King built her in a castle in the sea surrounded by his most trusted guard. All food was checked and there was no expense spared for her safety. On her 17th birthday, a snake (which had been sleeping soundly in a basket of apples), bit her and she died. The King had no heirs. Tragic.
The King's Castle, Kiskalesi
Either way it gets my imagination going! LOL. The water was crystal blue and warm. You can swim to the maiden’s castle but there was para sailing going on…and I wasn’t too sure they’d pay attention to anyone in the water.
Sometimes you just see things here that you’ve never seen anywhere else. The bread guy was one of them. He walked around the beach selling bread. Just bread. Stacked neatly on a tray sitting on his head. There were Chinese tea sellers and Vodka shot sellers as well. I snapped this shot while he was walking up the beach.
Bread for sell!
Tomorrow I’ll show more pics and tell a few more stories.
Happy birthday Brannum!
Peace, I’m out!
A mountain? No one noticed it before today...
When we were working yesterday I spotted a mountain off in the distance. We were all pretty surprised since it’s normally not seen from where we’re stationed. I don’t know the name of it yet, but I’ve got nothing but time here.
From inside the warehouse.
Can you see the mountain in the distance? 
Tomorrow is another busy day and then Friday it’s OFF TO THE BEACH!
Man are you guys getting tired of the numbers yet?
I’m amazed at how green everything is here. For five years I was at Sheppard and August is the hotter-than-hell season. In Redding, where my family is, the season is just as dry and sweltering. Foliage struggles to survive and water can be just as detrimental to your grass and plants as none at all.
Nature is so vibrant here!
I think I’m getting used to the climate. In a couple of months I have a few hikes/tours on the books. They’re the kind of hikes I like…we take you, we pick you up, everything else is all on your own. LOL. One takes us through crumbling castles on a rocky cliff. Another takes me into the historical mecca of Adana. Later in the year I’ll be wondering through a cave in what’s called the Heaven and Hell walk. It’s Heaven walking down but Hell walking back up. That’s the hike I’m preparing for, btw (for those tracking my workouts on Facebook). I don’t want to miss anything.
I hope these pictures give you a little taste of what I see here.
First thing in the morning. Fog was everywhere and it wasn't as humid as normal.
Today marks a very monumental day…my stepsons are going back to school. They’ve fought it tooth and nail (well E
has, anyway). For E, this is his first day in middle school. I know he’s nervous, but he’ll rock it. I know it. So will D.
The hardest part about being here is that I miss those milestones. Taking them to school on the first day, seeing them when they come home and asking how their day was. Right now things are tough. I won’t get into it much except to say the way I do things and the way their Mom does is like night and day.
It’s hard for them to talk with me online. And it’s hard for me to see them confused and hurt. It was like I just got there and then had to leave again. I get it. But I’m still right here.
Jerry is blessed with a large family. I have four wonderful step-children and three adorable grandchildren whom I love more than life itself. Add in little Bran and my heart is just full to capacity. I would do anything for these guys.
My stepdaughters are strong and independent in their own ways. I miss them, too. C starts college soon and that’s a wonderful thing. DJ is raising the most adorable little boy and working hard at finding her place in this world.
While I’m here I find that I have time on my hands. Time I’d rather spend picking up kids and hugging them. Time I’d rather spend watching them go to school for the first day in their new clothes and nervous smiles. Time I’d love to come and babysit when the girls get frustrated with their children. I’m not whining. I love my country and I love the job she calls me to do. I wouldn’t go back and change a thing in my career or my choices. But I miss you guys.
I’m proud of you. All of you. And I love you with all my heart.