A Different Sort of Summer Break

With just one last week of work-related tasks to accomplish, summer break is nearly a reality. This has been a very long year for us educators, and also a year that is wrapping up in a very anti-climactic way. With vaccinations still rolling out and some restrictions in place, we aren’t having any of our normal end-of-the-year gatherings or celebrations. We will simply slide into summer with many unknowns awaiting us for the new school year in late August. That said, many of us are ready to be free from work and just let go and relax into whatever we’ve chosen for a summer holiday.

I will be doing something very different this summer–a first time experience–I will be staying in a friend’s villa in Dalyan, Turkey, and will host family and friends from far and near. One of the best parts is that I will pack up Zigzag (my cat) and all her paraphernalia and take her with me to the rental. It will be interesting to watch her adapt to a three story condo (aka villa) and meet all my guests. She is a cat that loves humans. I am thrilled to not have to worry about her care over my summer holiday because she will be with me!

As I will be going home in December for the Caveney Clan Christmas, which only happens every five years, there seemed to be no purpose to visit the U.S. this summer (thanks to getting my Drivers License sorted last summer). So I will try out/on a staycation sort of approach and see if/how it suits me.

I invited a host of friends from America and abroad. While not as many are making the trip as I initially hoped because of lingering COVID impacts (my Mongolian girlfriend is literally NOT allowed to leave Australia; others have elderly parents and feel this summer isn’t the best time; etc), there ARE some coming from the U.S. and I’m thrilled to share my beloved Turkey with them. It will be hot, for sure, but we will enjoy the beach, boat trips, great food, and the lovely Turkish people and hospitality that I love so much. There are four travelers coming from the U.S., hopefully one from the UAE, and then I am also hosting some of my closer colleagues/friends from Izmir–including my best Turkish friends. 

I made this decision last September and because I’ve made friends in Dalyan it was fairly easy to find a place to stay (a friend who is currently blocked in the UK from coming to Turkey is letting me use their place). And as some of you know, I’ve been seeing a man from Dalyan/Ortaca since my first trip there last August with Ginger. My summer fling turned thing. We see each other every month or two–him coming to Izmir in the winter months, and me traveling to see him in the summer months. We did make a nice trip to Osmaniye, where he has family, over the first weekend in January. 

I can’t wait to share Dalyan/Turkey with my friends! We will enjoy days on Iztuzu Beach and take boat trips to the sea. On Saturday, July 24, we will have a moonlight cruise and watch the full moon rise over the river delta. That will be an apex of my time there, but every day, I know, will be pleasurable and an adventure with whomever is there to enjoy!

Yes, my summer of FUN is nearly here. Looking forward to plenty of this: