6 Days, 8 Breakfasts -- and Rakı Roads begins...

Note the correct spelling of "Rakı" (pronounced rah-kuh)... you may (should) be seeing this more often from here on out.

Yesterday was the conclusion of our life in the lap of luxury. We had previously been splurging in Kapadokya's Esbelli Evi, a luxurious cave hotel with free internet, friendly employees, and most important: wonderful breakfast spreads w/ fresh yogurt, olives and feta cheese, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and omelets made to order. We were there for 6 days, and since I woke up earlier than Jennie every day (yes, me... waking up early... go figure...) I sometimes treated myself to not one but two breakfasts on certain days. One employee also treated me to a couple complementary glasses of Rakı while Jennie and I played backgammon and cards in the evenings.

But that life is over. This picture finds me all sweaty and nasty after a ten-hour bus ride from Kapadokya to the coast town of Antalya. We spent the last night in more humble accomodations (no cave, toilet that doesn't flush), and -- worst of all -- may be left with questionnable internet access for the last couple days (!). We successfully haggled a great price for a car for the next week, and so thus begins a new and exciting chapter of Rakı Roads, which we can call the, uh, "Raki Roads" chapter... Here is how the Lonely Planet describes "Turkish Road Rules" in their latest guide:

"In theory, Turks drive on the right and yield to traffic approaching from the right. In practice, they often drive in the middle and yield to no one. Be prepared for drivers overtaking on blind curves. If a car approaches from the opposite direction, all three drivers slam on the brakes and pray."

From my observations on the road this is all true. Sounds like an exciting chapter ahead! Stay tuned...