Turgutreis and Kos

Turqetreis and Kos have only one thing in common. They are both in the Agean Sea. In fact they face each other in more ways than one. We could see Kos from Turqetreis which is in Turkey if the light was right. Kos is a Greek Isle. Somebody isn't too happy about their proximity to each other because Turgutreis is in a military zone created because the two countries seem to be at odds. There are sometimes little scenarios and minor military confrontations in the waters separating these two. So much for politics. 

Turgutreis is a sailing town complete with a yacht club, sailboats and crystal blue water to sail them on. It seems to be an affluent town though appearances can be deceiving. What struck me right off was the fact that all the buildings are painted white, with very rare exceptions. I am a color person but do have to admit that the effect is striking, especially against the blue, blue sky and equally blue water. Houses tend to be modest in size and square or rectangular. So many of them are so much the same that one who is unfamiliar can only identify each by peeking in windows or by the plantings outside.

We ate out, a really nice dinner of lamb shanks at our friend's favorite haunt. Afterward, I took the bones and distributed them among the stray dogs. They are not as well cared for as in Bulgaria, a much poorer country. However, they are not afraid and are surprisingly gentle. Being drawn to feeding them must be a symptom of missing my own dogs.

Kos is Greek. In Kos there is color. Our ferry docked right next to the old castle walls. We walked a very short distance into town, wove around, yet always found ourselves back at the main square. We went into a mosque there, took off our shoes, put on head scarves and sat down in the women's area. The call for prayer started while we were still there and sounds so much different than when we stood outside where it is amplified. What an interesting treat.

There are old Roman ruins everywhere, sometimes with information posted. They aren't taken care of or even well organized, sadly. We went into a walled area that was an agora full of shops and stalls dating way back before the time of Christ, like 300 to 400 BC. No stalls or shops are left to view but many pieces of columns are lying around to be photographed on, climbed on and/or graffitied on if one chooses to do so. Sad. 

There aren't so many stray dogs evident on this island but stray kitties are everywhere. People care for them, leaving out containers of food and water. They even have postcards, calendars and other tourist goods featuring "the cats of Kos". Very cute. I've said it before and will say it again that I  think the state of their strays says a  lot about these people.

Turgutreis from the patio.

Turgutreis at night.

Kos harbor.

Roman leftovers.

Kos kitties in the ruins.