Kilting in Turkey...

[English Bloke]

Well, it's "Hotter than the hobs of hell" here right now... I'm in Northern Turkey and thought I'd share some kilting experiences for those unwise enough to venture here in a kilt.

I was going to bring wool (phew) ... I like wool but following the advice re: warmer climes from our American memebers, all be it indirect, I opted for PV.

The temperatures here are excruciating. Loosely, British Temperatures are 20 to 25 degrees C (68F to 77F) around about now... where-as here the temp is around 44C (111F) Now that is warm... For a British Chap.

I tried my kilt on during the day when I first arrived. I lasted about 20minutes before I'd dissolved completely into a pool of salty water. My chosen attire there-after was the ubiquitous cargo shorts and /or swimming trunks. Thanks goodness I didn't bring a bevy of kilts and no other options.

Some pictures for evidence...


Standing at the walls of Sinop Castle. My Daughter as usual acting as my thermal blanket. You will notice the kilt I am wearing is a two pleat variant, one for each leg, and made from light-weight cotton with pockets. OK, I know, I'm the lightweight. Trust me, this is not the country for die-hard kilt wearing.


Now that's more like it.


Some acrobatics is always called for when sea swimming. The Black Sea is crystal clear and beautifully cool.


I am my little girls favourite arm chair... Blimey, I'm still hot. (Note the typical British Whiteness... I don't tan well. I burn first, then peel, then burn again, and that's with factor 70 splashed all over.)


Incognito. Do you think they've noticed us darlin'? We don't look like tourists do we?


My hat, is also my daughter's favorite hat.


My wife, for those of you who don't know is Turkish so while we were here we also popped in to visit her former primary School, a fantastic trip down memory lane for her. Statues and Busts of Ata-Turk are everywhere in Turkey, but then again he was a very remarkable man.


She met with the current Headmaster who allowed her to see the old school records. couldn't resist this snap from the graduation yearbook.


Here's my wife and little girl outside her former class room.


And my daughter left a picture of a kitten for the children when they come back after Summer hols.

It's Ramazan at this time (Ramadan in some other Muslim countries), so fasting during the day is the accepted norm. At around quarter to 20 o'clock everyone hits the streets to eat which is a great time for promenading. It is still Harry Swelters mind, with temperatures now in the high thirties (95F+) but very humid. The streets are washed to keep the dust down and the evaporation makes the air very wet. Where we are at the mo. there is also lots of high-rise buildings so it's a bit of a concrete canyon-land. The air is very still at ground level and it really is unbelievably hot... For a British Bloke.

And so to Kilts...

[denmcdough]

John, nice pics. I'm sure you had a wonderful time, especially reliving your wife's past in Turkey.

Thanks!

[cessna152towser]

Nice pics, John, though I am surprised that you find cargo shorts more comfortable than a kilt. I would have thought that a kilt would have allowed much more air circulation.

[Mael Coluim]

Great pix, John! The water does look inviting indeed. Having lived in Kuwait for four years, I appreciate the temperatures you are dealing with. A typical summer day would reach 120/49.

This summer in Virginia, the heat index (factoring in humidity) has been as high as 110/43. I have found a USA Kilt casual, polo shirt and sandals the preferred ticket of comfort. But this colonial has had few generations to acclaimate to the hotter climate here.

[artificer]

Great shots! Looks like you all had a very nice trip.

[English Bloke]

It really is hot... did I mention that?


At the appointed scoff time, and with prayers ringing out through loudspeakers in the surrounding minarets we went out to eat at the "City Club" where we were married ten years ago. It doesn't seem that long really but it's changed a bit since then. It's under new management now and the entrance has moved to a different corner but essentially it's not a lot different inside.


We ate "on the terrace" while watching the world go by. It was lovely although still boilin'. I had the lamb and Mrs E had the beef. I wore the McCleod. Mrs E wore blue. We drank çay (Turkish tea)

Didn't get pictures of the main course but we did grab the traditional Turkish Ramazan puddings.


Güllaç (pron: Goolach) Sort of a milky rice pudding. Gorgeous.


Kadayif (Pron: ka-day-if) Kind of like shredded wheat covered in honey. Delicious. Needless to say, we shared.


Time for a photo-op before strolling out. They don't get many kilts in these here parts. Full length Kilt hose?? Yerrr muss be jokin'...


One more of the front before...


Out on the main drag, promenadin'...




Right... I've had enough!


I'm off home before I trickle down the gutter. Check out the sweaty back...

Ice cold beers at home in the fridge me thinks...

To conclude, I'll probably wear my kilt again in Turkey... but not in August.

[cessna152towser]

Looking cool and casual and so much happier in the kilt, John,

[Jordan]

Good photos John, While I would wear a kilt in that sort of temps it would be a UK or some such Wool would definatly be out and I would think PV wouldnt be too far after. Then again my idea of a good holiday includes air con and a bar

The three of you looked like you were enjoying yourselfs and that is the main thing.

Jordan

[BobsYourUncle]

What a great trip! Thanks for sharing the photos. Regards,

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for the great photos and storylines John.
Going back to a previous thread, your wife wearing that Australian Tartan now makes a lot of sense. Please thank her for doing so.