Mount Arrat - Page 4

Camp 1 - Doğubeyazıt - Fish Lake

The following morning we walked relaxed about 2 hours downhill to the village of Eli, again with a rest at the shepherd. Arrived at the shuttles there was still a finish beer then everyone was looking forward to the first shower. However, there was not much time to rest, the tourist program continued. On afternoon, we drove to the Ishak Pasha Palace, an impressive building in the middle of a barren mountainous landscape. 2 hours Firat explained us about Seljuks and Ottomans, pashas and harems. Very interesting and so far away from our culture. Some costumed boys were seen walk through the palace with their family, these will be circumcised, Firat explained to us.

In the late afternoon we went to a hamam, a Turkish bathhouse. We wanted to try that. It was quite relaxing, first the body was rubbed with brush-like rags, the limbs stretched and elongated. Alternately, we were doused with bowls of cold and warm water, then massaged and soaped. Sauna and swimming pool were also available. The procedure lasted about 20 minutes. When one of the two masseurs disappeared for some reason, we knew that with 11 people we would spend a few more hours here. I came out damaged, because I had sprained my foot during an ass bomb in the bathroom 🙂.

For dinner we were invited to Firat's family, Kurds. At first we were placed in a stately guest room until the women had prepared the food. Then we were served in the long hallway on the floor. This was funny because none of us knew how to turn our battered bones to sit comfortably. Anyway, it was very good food and Firat explained some more about his culture. Alcohol there was of course none and so we longed for the beer spitting hotel vending machine 🙂. In addition, we were afraid that the Poles could also already be there and dispute us the limited beers in the vending machine. As is well known, they also drink nothing 🙂.

The next morning we drove an hour to the alleged site of Noah's Ark. One had discovered there near the Iranian border a structure in the mountain, which has dimensions corresponding to the biblical ark. According to reports, nothing of an ark has been found with the most modern technical means. But no matter, it could bring tourism here forward. For this, however, the small museum would have to become a little more interesting and beautiful. On the mountain one could see the towers of the border posts. Firat told about a tourist he was here with. He was flying a drone in the direction of the mountain slope. Not long, and the posts had the frequency and guided the drone to the post tower. He was shocked and asked what he should do now. Nothing, Firat replied, forget about the drone 🙂.

Already on the way here it got louder and louder in our "party bus". We were increasingly relaxed. In the afternoon, on the trip to the fish lake was Ballermann music without break announced. I didn't know the music, but a group dynamic developed that had us all bawling. Once there, I was first drawn into the lake. Then there was here caught trout, fried in the pan behind the building. In addition plentifully raki. The disinhibition continued. We were actually the tourists that no one wants to see on their doorstep. But no one wanted to tilt the mood.

After the Turks put a giant loudspeaker with Turkish music next to our car, so they didn't have to listen to our music anymore, it was time to leave. Which didn't mean it got quieter on the way back. Our two older drivers suffered until they were allowed to dispose of us at the hotel after almost 2 hours. In the evening again to the restaurant, then the time is up in Doğubeyazıt, on Ararat. Maybe the Mayoress thinks after us again new about the tourist development of their area 🙂.