The City of the Golden Apricot

The original plan was to head to Diyarbakir, the day before my birthday on March 12th. As it is the largest city in the area, it seemed that it would have a club or two to offer for a fun night out. Upon arrival in the city, the hotel manager and a friendly man helping with directions, both told us that it was not safe for people to be out past dark as crime was high in the area. The next morning, daylight brought an awareness of what the city actually looked like or as much as you could see. The city is in desperate need of clean up, there was trash everywhere and the air pollution was intolerable. So we boarded the one o'clock train headed out of town. The destination was Malatya, apricot capital of Turkey! The city was beautiful, so clean, friendly and an abundance of color.
For the 13th, my birthday, we headed to Darende, a village near by recommended by the locals in Malatya. The first stop was a small waterfall that didn't quite live up to the description offered to us by the locals! No matter, we wondered on. down the road from the water fall, I had my first hitchhiking experience, being picked up in a tractor with two old men with many questions.
After a short ride to the opposite end of the village, we found a great bungalow to eat a beautiful meal of fresh fish at the price of only $4. As the sun began to set we caught the last bus back to Malatya.

As for night life, this city, like every other in Turkey outside of Istanbul is lacking. No problem, we bought some beers and drank on the balcony of the hotel staring out at the picturesque mosque in the city center.
The old city of Malatya, was the destination for the following day. We enjoyed a cup of tea at a tea house dominated by men in the middle of a Sunday afternoon. Tea was under $0.25 each. Can you find me?
Ya, that is me with the green purse! Well, so much to write and so little time. I will try to update again soon and inform you of the adventures through northern Turkey and into Georgia!