30 August 2011
Sometimes the simplest things cause the most grief.
Getting to the hotel should be simple on arrival at the outskirts of town. I mean, it’s been a long day, hot, roadworks, the hotel is in the GPS, easy from here.
But no. Might be me. But this is the toughest part of the day. Don’t worry about speeding fines, punctures etc, finding a hotel in any old city is hard work.
The GPS is more of a hinderance than a help. Particularly in Turkey. The GPS is just not up to it. I sometimes think I’d be better off without it. But only after a point. Up until then I’ll still take it.
For two days running I’ve really struggled. One way streets, narrow lanes, streets that are no more than stairs. Hotels nowhere to be seen. This should be easy.
For two days running I’ve just given up after half an hour and gone to the nearest hotel I could see. Stuff the GPS. It’s hot. I’m tired. I just want to get off the Family Truckster.
Some days the “old town” hustle is worth it. Yesterday maybe not. No disrespect to the people of Diyarbakir but it hasn’t been a highlight.
The trip there yes, definitely. As the sun was going down. The changing colours. Sun in your eyes one moment and shade round the next corner. Superb. Wonderful country this. But hot. It was still over 30 degrees when I finally made it to the hotel last night at 19:30.
Too exhausted to to venture out, I took a few photos of my immediate surrounds the next morning before setting off on Day 35 of my Turkey motorcycle tour.
Distance travelled today 356 miles (573km), cumulative 5,001 miles (8,048km).
