The Shifts of Summer

My summer in Dalyan was a total of 5 weeks or 36 days. I can break that time into six distinct shifts–each with its own collection of guests (or lack thereof), places visited, style of time spent together, and conversations shared. I arrived, unpacked, shopped, and settled in for just one afternoon and night. I enjoyed a solo dip in the pool at midnight and breathed a sigh of relief to finally be IN my summer holiday. The school year was finally complete and this event which I had been waiting and planning for, for months, had finally arrived.

The next day Shift 1 commenced with the arrival of Lia, Drew, Drew’s mother, Susan, and Ginger. Over our four days together we enjoyed a full day boat trip on the Black Pearl (where we celebrated Ginger’s birthday!), an afternoon drive/visit to Iztuzu Beach, lots of swimming and conversations, eating out in the village, as well as enjoying Servet’s incredible grill skills on the boat.

When Lia, Drew, and Susan departed to continue their road trip, Ginger and I were left alone and Shift 2 commenced. In some ways this was a revisit of the previous summer, but also different. We had our favorite haunts to frequent–cold beers at Efe Bar, shopping at Kelebek Silver and April 22 Boutique, and always as much time as possible on the boat–time spent in the sun or sea at Iztuzu Beach. Servet had cousins visit from Adana/Osmaniye during this shift and we enjoyed a boat trip together with them–this time celebrating Servet’s birthday.

Shift 3 was the longest shift with four Americans arriving from the U.S. My friend Julie arrived from Colorado first, followed the next day by my sister, Fawn, and her friend and coworker, Sue, both from Idaho. And three days later my friend EJ arrived from South Carolina. The five of us did SO many things together–boat trips, meals out, day trips to Kayakoy and Patara/Kalkan/Kaş, visiting Dekamer (loggerhead turtle rescue and rehab site),  and time spent at the sea, on the lake, and even sticking our bodies into the Sultaniye mud baths!

As my American friends left, I enjoyed a few days of downtime that made up Shift 4. Servet and I enjoyed some couple time together. I turned over the sheets and towels in the villa and cleaned, all the while trying to catch up on sleep which proved to be a near impossibility. In all honesty I do not know how Servet and the other captains survive the summer season. Day after day of being “on” is no easy task. I took eight books with me for the summer and never opened ONE of them. Instead my time was spent, as much as possible, being with friends AND being on the boat on the water. I’m grateful that Servet often had me along with his other trips–therefore there were VERY few days that did not include at least some hours on the Black Pearl. 

Shift 5 commenced with the arrival of my friend and colleague, Valantis, and his family–wife Sinem, and their two boys, Kayra and Nicholas, ages 9 and 6. This was my first time to host a family and I can say–it was a BLAST! We did many of the same things I had done with the previous shifts–but you see, that’s why I was hosting in Dalyan–to share all that I love about the place (the nature, being on the boat, swimming in the Mediterranean and in Lake Köyceğiz, and visiting my favorite restaurants and shops in the village). Sinem and I enjoyed a “girls evening out” and Ziggy got to experience the energy of little people!

As the Stamelos family left on Friday morning, I fell into Shift 6. The final shift of my amazing summer holiday. This was a few days of cleaning up and preparing to pack up and leave. I had the pleasure of spending a few more days on the boat with Servet ending with an overnight spent at the back of Iztuzu beach where I got to both (a) swim in the sea at 2 AM and (b) to watch the sun rise while walking the beach which I had ALL to myself. What a stunning and unforgettable moment that was–and I have Servet to thank for it. In Turkey I have learned that it is important, and wise, to say “yes” to spontaneous experiences that show up!

In the background of these six shifts of summer there was also the steady and consistent presence of Ziggy (she might get her OWN post) as well as my Leading Man. I think I will also add the Black Pearl to that list of summer characters–though an inanimate object, the boat has a personality all its own and I was on it multiple times with each of my shift of guests. So you can see–there is still much to share about my summer holiday in Dalyan. I hope you have enjoyed this installment and hope to be back soon to share more. 

Until then, wishing all my fellow travelers health, happiness, and love!