Corinne and I made an early morning bus to Sile located on the Black Sea. (Prior to the trip I had viewed pictures on Google and was impressed by what I had seen.) The bus stop is located across the street from my school - how convenient. Just to double check for us two, I asked a family standing at the bus stop. They assured me I was in the right spot, though there was a fraction of a doubt. But, not 5 minutes later bus 139 picked us up. Problem was there was only standing room - 40 minute drive. Side note: the same family was at the bus stop in Sile heading back to Cekmekoy. I made eye contact with them and the father helped us get back.
The bus dropped Corinne and I, and many of the other passengers, off at the top of the hill looking down through a curving cobble stone street leading to the Black Sea. She and I made our way down to the water. The different views on the way to the waters edge was a tease. I could feel the excitement building.
Our first "stop" was at the castle. We really were only able to view the castle from afar, since it is located on a skyscraper of a rock, in the middle of the bay. Beautiful!
Castle Located on the Right
Next, Corinne led me to the light house. We walked about 10-15 minutes. Just before arriving we were able to see the lighthouse around the bend of the cliffs that lead straight down into the sea. At about the point we first spotted the lighthouse I stopped at a market, grabbed a nectarine, and proceeded to pull out change to pay the lady sweeping to stoop. All I received was a warm smile and "aufiyet olsen." - she gave it to me.
The lighthouse had an incredible view of the sea. Walking up to the lighthouse we found a old man sitting on the patio. I spoke a bit of Turkish with and me he mentioned, using a bit of gestures, to not go up into the light room. The lighthouse had many artifacts from its pristine day and age. I did enroll Corinne in being my lookout as a snuck up to the 3rd floor of the lighthouse. I turned back before reaching the top because I got nervous. I should and could have made it. Oh well.
We continued through town on our way to one of the prized beaches (if not the only one). We strolled the shore until we found the cleanest portion of water and beach not polluted with seaweed and debris. Actually, we found beach chairs and paid to use them. Food service and rocking American music accompanied. Corinne and I took turns watching over our luggage so the other could swim. I won on that, though I think she was more into tanning and relaxing. I personally was a about body surfing on the largest (5-7?) foot waves coming in. While I was out looking for those waves I watched these two local guys body surfing. They were incredible at it. I dissected their pattern for picking the wave, how they approached it and made their move on the wave. I thought I had "body-surfed" before. Not until then. I literally rode on top of waves from 30-40 yards out. It was incredible.
When Corinne and got hungry we made the walk back to the area just before the castle. We found a restaurant that overlook the pier, smaller beaches, boats, rock formations and castle. Our seats captured all of these things in the same view. A bit overwhelming, especially when our food tasted so great.
Sile, I will see you again!
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