In the next few days my favourite band, Pearl Jam, will play two concerts in Adelaide. Last week, U2, another great group, were also in town. Unfortunately, I’m on the other side of the world and cannot attend.

This time reminds me of February/March 1998 when I went with university friend Ryan to see U2 in Sydney and then a week later saw Pearl Jam at Thebarton Oval.

A few days ago, members of the two bands performed a cheesy version of Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World in Melbourne. Here is a much better version from Pearl Jam’s 2003 Adelaide concert. If you look carefully, you may be able to see my sister Anna’s and my bobbing heads in the front row. Anna received one of the broken tambourines this night. Other Pearl Jam Adelaide 2003 concert videos are here. If you haven’t had enough Free World Rockin’, there is also a video from Pearl Jam’s Milan concert I attended a few months ago.

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The above photo (featuring Nesibe) was taken partially reflecting and partially through a glass pane.

A delicious and relatively light cream fruit cake from Denizkizi Pastanesi (Mermaid Cake Shop).

A section of my female boss’ desk, featuring 4 telephones (two wireless landline, 2 mobile), a telephone battery, an air conditioning remote control, an escape key and a pen.

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Surprisingly, this morning I did require my alarm to wake me up at
11:30. A quick goodbye to Mete and his sister and I was off to catch
the bus from Turgut Ozal Boulevard into the city.

Lady, Dafne and I were due to meet at the train station at 12 noon. I arrived late but they arrived later, only to see the 12:20 train leave without us.
Our next option was to catch a bus to Tarsus.
Luckily, when I askedakebapci for directions to the otogar (bus station) a kebab delivery car was just leaving for the direction of the otogar and we received a free ride there!

Sebi met us Tarsus’ Cleopatra’s Gate and, as the 3 of us from Adana had not eaten breakfast, we made our way to the great value, well-located and terrifically-set restaurant overlooking the ancient Roman road for a kebab lunch. Whilst at lunch, Sebi’s English teacher, Mehmet, joined us.

Mehmet, Sebiha, myself, Lady and Dafne at the restaurant with the ancient Roman road ruins in the background

Following the meal we walked around the town, visiting St. Paul’s Well and St. Paul’s Church.

Many Turkish flags around a globe.

Does the Tarsus Council have any plans to take over the world?

Another Turkish flag, this one visible through an entry gate to St. Paul’s Church

A St. Paul’s Church ceiling detail

As Dafne had to return to Gaziantep via Adana that evening, she and Lady left early, not leaving enough time to have a proper look at the town. Next time…

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The Antakya trip did not happen as expected although it may be on next weekend. The Colombia night did occur, though, and Lady Yohanna and Dafne (a trainee in Gaziantep) put on a great show.

Neither Aylin or I knew where the new AIESEC office was (despite having the address). We eventually found it in Karincalar after receiving telephone instructions.

The evening began with a PowerPoint presentation, then Colombian food followed by dancing. The audience consisted of AIESECers,
hangers-on (like myself) and 6 Erasmus exchange students from the Czech Republic, currently studying at the local Cukurova University. I met with several AIESECers I hadn’t seen for a long time, including Mete and Kadriye.

Dafne and Lady presenting Colombia

Lady and Mete

Lady and Dafne demonstrated the Salsa and other Colombian dance styles. Dafne, in particular, is a brilliant dancer.

Lady, myself, Aylin and Dafne

Pearl Jam, Colombian style

Following the presentation made our way to the old AIESEC trainee haunt of Cazara Nightclub on Ziyapasa
Street. This was the place I spent New Years Eve 2003-4 in.

A special thank you to Mete for that birthday tequila and letting me crash at his place.

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I’m about to jump on the train to Adana for Lady Yohana’s Colombia night. Tomorrow, we’re off to Antakya (Antioch), famous for kunefe, persimmons, mosaics and the world’s first church, Saint Peter’s Cave Church.

Notably, Antakya is officially part of both Turkey and Syria (see map).

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Here was Muftu River looking upstream from work two weeks ago:

And, here was Muftu River today:

A prize for anyone who notices a difference.

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I’ve just upgraded my blog to Blogger’s new beta version. The change I’m mainly looking forward to utilising is post tagging. Soon you will be able to select different post categories, for example: mersin, travel, food, etcetera.

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