Turkey: all the kilometers

I’ve been wandering around Turkey quite aimlessly now for about a month and a half. I set short-term goals and I’m excited to reach them; Izmir, Fethiye, Antalya. I’m loving the rides, the culture, the food, the people, the places. But the road ahead is covered in a mist of uncertainty. When I set out eastwards about 6 months ago, the path was clear and well defined. Not the exact route, but definitely the long-term plan. Turkey would always be the country after which I didn’t know what came next. Now, cycling in this vast place, it starts to become clearer and clearer that my original plan of cycling towards South East Asia probably won’t see the light of day. With the Covid regulations, Central Asia’s political unrest, and the winter, it feels like I’m riding myself into a corner. Iran, although cold at this time of year, appeals to me very much. After that however, Afghanistan and Pakistan do not seem like viable options. Turkmenistan has closed its borders even more completely than it already had due to the pandemic. Kazakhstan has suddenly become unstable in the past weeks. Even further east, most countries are either closed completely or require a 10 day isolation period once entering.

I’ve decided to postpone any decision and just push onwards. Half way through Turkey I find out that the ferries to the Greek islands do not operate because of Covid. That was my back up plan. I guess I could circle northwards back to Istanbul and trough the Balkans. But winter is already taking its toll on me, and I’m not eager to spend another couple of months in minus temperatures. Everything points into one direction; taking a plane back to Europe. I’ve known this for a while and I’ve been trying to ignore the fact because it’s hard to come to terms with. I know it’s the most sensible thing to do, yet I decide to not decide.

In Antalya I set aside my pride and book a flight to Rome. It feels somewhat like defeat, and it upsets me for the rest of the day. I’m just not sure if I’m doing the right thing. Yes, the circumstances would say I do, but my heart wants to continue east. The feeling of uncertainty of what do, I’ve replaced with a feeling of not knowing whether I did the right thing. It’s draining. And then, the next day, I’m over it. Fuck it. I might not adhere to my original plan, but life is long and Italy is warm(ish). Plus, I now have a for the long haul; cycle to Portugal. That eases my mind. Once in Portugal we’ll do this all over again.