Man Oh man... I feel a bit like I have been on an exhibition to the moon. I am so, so very much in love with him! I can't believe it was just the day before yesterday I said goodbye to him at the airport. Logistically, the travel was a nightmare. Turkish Airlines delivered my suitcase 3 days late (in a 5 day stay) and on the way home I got 4 hours delay on top of having been on the road since morning. On the same time, I could have travelled to the moon and back to see him, and with less luggage! He was the perfect host, planning lots of things for us. I did not even get ten minutes alone, which strangely did not bother me. His cousin picked me up at the airport, together with my SO. A woman working in the airport asked, in the usual blunt Turkish way, why, if he was my boyfriend, we were not kissing! We did after filling out the lost luggage forms though, but in the car.

In the three whole days, I got to see many of his family members. He lives with his mother, his 2 brothers (the only ones who are still in school /unmarried), his step -grandma and her daughter, which is then his step -aunt. The house or houses were quite big and it did not feel crowded. There was also 2 cows (one pregnant), 2 bulls, a whole gang of half wild cats, and a fruit -and vegetable garden. A very quiet place, apart from the usual Turkish sounds of music and the Lively neighbor rooster. It was so nice picking fruits for pressing and feeling the animals grass. I share his frustration that the cats are so wild, they are really cuteand used to being fed, but you can't really hold them.

Thursday we went to see the old church ruins near the Syrian border. They were building the road new so we could not get close. I guess I have to come back after they open it again! We walked in an old part if town and a kind man let us see inside an old house that was being turned into a restaurant. They were building lots in the town, because of short time to the local election. Everything was really pretty and he is so cute as my travel guide! We visited his aunt 's hair salon, maybe next time she can do something to my hair, anyway she liked my hair! B-)

Yes, well no one spoke much English. His mother was trying to teach herself the word "no" DURING my stay. I was expected to greet politely and all. I felt a bit shy as all the Turkish I know I learned from phone apps this last month! Anyway, it was a great incentiv to start practice speaking right away. And I will definitely start taking Turkish classes in my home town this fall :-P

The first evening we had a big standing up barbeque party. I love Turkish food, so that was great. I did not have any gifts because those were in the suitcase, but I had bought some tax free cigaretts and alcohol, and when we went grocery shopping I got wine. I think they were a little more happy with me bying it, even if wine is not very expensive there, because they are in mourning after his sister died a year ago, but I was their excuse to party a little. They are tough but nice people. I did not bring pork into the house. good times :-D .

Friday we, his cousin and the brother drove to see some sights. We were inside a church, looked at a Village, took pictures by a large tree called the tree of Moses. We saw a doenic temple ruin and the view was amazing. We drove near the sea and kissed in the sunset. We smoked a little too much water pipe. We walked in the evening to the waterfalls I have heard so much about...Still I feel as if I can almost hear and smell the water. It was late and we were the only ones there. We felt a little adventurous... Everything felt so romantic and honest and fun and serious and sexy. I was like... I should seriously marry this man. We fed the fish bread while drinking Turkish coffee. Everything was wonderful. We drank a little too much wine and stayed up late by the fire. He went down on one knee and asked if I would dance with him. You have to understand, he doesn't like to dance much, and couple 's dancing he has never done. So the fact that he would take that leap with me was HUGE <3.

Saturday we went to the waterfalls in daytime, after my suitcase arrived. We ate grilled fish and he told me he worked in the area while still in school. His youngest brother, who wants to become a photographer, took pictures of me and gave them to me on a memory stick. His mother and grandma gave me lots of home made food gifts. I finally had some proper gifts for them, too. In the evening we went out at a restaurant with a great view over the city, and celebrated our upcoming 6 months as a couple! I felt so happy it was almost painful...

After retuning home I have been exhausted and overwealmed. He had a hard time with me leaving, even though we already booked the next flight. Well... Such is life. I miss him. We want each other.