Ishak Pasa, building completed in 1784. Dogubayazit

Right now I’m in an internet cafe in the frontier town of Dogubayazit, waiting to drive to the Iranian border early tomorrow morning.  The town we’re in right now is a beautiful place 35km from the border.  Unfortunately due to current events there is no tourism and it appears that the townspeople are suffering for it.  If you want to know what there is to see around here, there is always Mount Ararat which is really quite spectacular. In fact all of Turkey is amazing.  I prefer the Eastern part to the Western as its not so touristy and the people are unbelievably kind and generous.  The scenery is beautiful as well.  This morning when I got out of bed I could look through the mountains and see one of the ranges in Armenia.  It’s so weird to be on the other side of the world seeing stuff I’ve only ever read about.  Tomorrow is the day I’m looking forward to the most.  (Read a longer version of the story here…)

We have to leave early as crossing into Iran often takes no less then 6 hours of hassle, waiting, and having the truck searched.  It will be the first time we’re all separated from Adam as he has to cross the truck alone.  I’d have to say he is the first person I’ve ever had to trust with my life, literally, and not having him in view means I’m going to have to take care of myself.  Not that I’m complaining, but it has been nice thus far having others do all the thinking and planning for me.  Anne will be with us though for the whole customs thing which is nice since she’s done it a few times before already.

Eric, the American, finally got his visa today which is right at the last minute and highly unusual as no Americans are getting in at the moment unless they are with a commercial tour group.  My visa experience was a hassle but nothing compared with his.  The Indian visa was also a little frustrating but its all sorted out now.  We’ll get the Pakistani visa at the border when we get there.  While we’re in Iran and Pakistan all the Brits will tell people they are Australian and Eric will have to be Canadian.  I must say that I enjoy this as that just adds one more wacky element to the equation.  Today I’m also trying to book my flight out of Delhi back to Amsterdam.

And today is the last day for about 4 weeks that I can walk around with my hair showing.  Tomorrow it goes under wraps until we reach India which is probably a good thing since it’s looking kind of ratty right now. Apparently I have very Arabic features so when I’m dressed up in my hejab, most people think I’m from this region which leads me to believe that we are descended from Ishmael.

Anyways, I must go now.  Thanks to my number one gem of an email writer, Andrew.  A close second is Seraphina whose emails I have enjoyed immensely.  Mom and dad, I’m a little disappointed in your lack of parental affection via the internet.  Even Auntie Rhonda writes to me more than you do.  Does this mean I have to sleep on the couch at Christmas time?

Alrighty then,  that’s it from Turkey – more to come later from wild areas of the world!!!!