Tuz Gölü, Turkey
"Why Tuz Gölü, you know there's nothing there?"
More importantly, "why not?! " Before leaving for Turkey I spent some time exploring Google Earth looking for some interesting geological features...and welp - this is when I discover Tuz Gölü. Julie and I decided to have one last adventure together before parting ways.
It was a bit uneasy making the plans because with this route we decided to go to Ankara. After we made our decision and were sitting out in front of the bus station - we learned of the terrible bombing at the peace rally that killed nearly a hundred people. It's been so interesting to be here during such a time for Turkey. So many mixed emotions. On our bus ride to Tuz Gölü all the passengers were watching the news on the tv screens. But only one station came in, the government blocked the rest of the channels. Flipping through and seeing the fuzzy screens, channel after channel and then landing on the one station that was allowed to cover the news was a strange sensation. I could write on this a lot more in depth but it will have to be in a different post. My heart goes out to all the families and people affected.
We arrived to Tuz Gölü, indeed there is just a tiny little bus stop with a couple stores in the middle of what appears to be nowhere. People kept telling us 20 minutes here would be enough. We weren't in a hurry tho, since we were still trying to figure out our Ankara plans. We walked out to the lake, so expansive and so white. It was a cloudy day so the contrast wasn't too high. We walked out so far, even did a little hoola hoop. Came across some construction workers having a full on meal on the lake. They offered us to join them but we politely declined. Just chatted and snapped some photos. They were so happy and wanted to take photos with us too.
From what people said could be a 20 minute visit to Tuz Gölü tuned out to be a 5 hour visit for us. We hung out in the cafe, visited, wrote, and drew. It was really nice. We just laughed... Why are we still here at this truck stop. It was nice.
Salt for miles
Ladies soaking their feet in a small salt bath
Surrealism
Construction workers taking their lunch break on the salt lake. Equipped with a table, chairs and a hot meal. Invited to join them but settled on a brief conversation instead.