Friday 19 July 2013

Fethiye: Thursday bus ride and Friday's day in the office.

We met an interesting character who went by the name, Tufan on the bus from Antalya to Fethiye yesterday.

He boarded the bus in style. That is, he created such a racket with trying to load a box on board through the back door that was large enough to fit a small house inside. 

We were sitting in the back seat, glad to have something to watch and laugh at, a nice distraction from the 3 hours we had left on the bus in the afternoon heat.

Within seconds he'd striked-up conversation with us. Excited that we were from New Zealand he began chatting, telling us that he'd been living in Australia for the past 10 years between Sydney and now Perth. But that each year he takes a 6-7 month oversee trip. Usually ending back up in Turkey as he owned a place in Dalaman.

This interesting Turkish character soon turned the conversation into something much deeper for a Thursday afternoon bus trip.

Tufan started telling us that the reason why he decided to move to Australia in the first place was to find 'answers' and inner peace. He needed to remove himself from a mainly Muslim culture and immerse himself in one with multiple religions and types of individuals. And that for him was Australia. 

Over the past few years he's been trying to find those answers to life some of us are desperate to solve. "Why am I here?' 'What purpose do I have?' and the list goes on.....

But can these be answered?

I don't think he was coming from a spiritual or religious push when he talked to us. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, boat shoes with a mop of silver grey hair on his head slickly combed back he looked more like a European holiday maker who should be sipping an Apertivo pool side. Or perhaps Turkey's answer to Sir Richard Branson? 

It turned out that he owned his own advertising agency in Perth, alongside a few other businesses and a family that didn't often travel with him. So I guess he did fit the Richard Branson mold slightly. 

The entire time we were waiting for the pamphlet to appear from the back pocket introducing his new spiritual way of thinking and encouraging us to join.

But that didn't happen too. 

Instead he continued on, telling us that he doesn't go looking for opportunity, things just happen to him. I assume he was talking about his successes in life, that for me to achieve, I have to go find them if I want it. 

He was desperate to help us find the best tour, restaurants and accommodation in Fethiye, even though we already had a place to stay. Jumping on his phone several calls were made cutting the conversation about life's journey back to the simple topic of travelling. 

Waiting for us at the bus depot until our apartment pick-up arrived. Tufan extended another warm smile and a heartfelt goodbye. We left unsure if he was genuine or just a interesting character. Either way it made for a great Thursday bus ride.

Toodle pip x

PS: Pics below from our Friday 12 Island boat tour - a tough day in the office.





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