Do you want to spend 5 minutes with me on our house sit in Kalkan, Turkey?
My intuition told me to film the video below to offer you a “moment in the life” type glimpse into circling the globe.
Point blank; some imagine me to be a guy who spends hours daily staring at various-sized rectangular screens. Toss in clear images of same guy tapping little squares while staring at said screens and you likely built a picture of me and stored it in your mind.
I actually experience life away from the phone and laptop. No; not every travel experience oozes crazy.
Hiking, mind training, house sitting, pet caring and learning about various cultures around the globe occupy much of my time as a digital nomad.
This is the really fun stuff that world travelers experience.
For example, back in the States I typically secure a leash to a dog and walk the pet around the block.
In Kalkan I listen to the call to prayer beside a lemon tree in the yard in a resort town while the dogs pal around, per the experience I recorded in the video.
The pooches marched outside to use the loo and the Azzam began. Our neighbor fired up the tractor; farming is still popular in the region although I suspect he builds more frequently these days, this being a boom town. Eventually, the 3 dogs mingled as I preserved the moment via 1080 HD.
I enjoy that change up from mindlessly trudging down a less culturally stimulating suburb to the drone of steady traffic.
But that’s just me.
Ultimately, to each their own.
5 Minutes in Kalkan
I filmed a video from the 4 story luxury pad where Kelli and I cared for 3 dogs.
We decided to spend the month in a small village nestled onto the Mediterranean Sea called Kalkan.
Kalkan and surrounding towns make up the fabled Turkish Riviera. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous it is not, per se, but ample million dollar villas dot the coastline.
In truth, well-heeled Turks and prospering expats mix with local villagers, forming an eclectic mix of old world charm and new world glam.
The nearly toothless, squat, shawled woman who prepared our divinely tasty Gozleme vividly reminded me of my grandfather’s sister from Transylvania when she visited The States in 1980. I wander out on a limb when I ponder that perhaps she does not own one of the many BMWs we saw whizzing around town.
Yet, a million dollar villa with stupendous views of the Turquoise Coast sat a hop, skip and jump away from her food stall. The homeowners we house sat for mentioned how a wealthy expat or two invested in a high end villa not for enjoying personally but as a rental investment. Moolah reigns supreme in a few areas of town.
Toss in an army of British tourists during high season and you have a decent picture of this formerly quiet fishing village turned into a Turquoise Coast treasure. Brits arrive in droves during the summer time. Prices for everything skyrocket from drinks, to flights to moderate increases for rentals.
For example; the homeowners noted how flights to England range from $60 USD offseason to $500 USD during the high season. Never mind the astronomical liquor price hikes in a Muslim nation Brit-town dominated by those English folk who love The Sauce.
We picked this sit because low season trips agree with us. Picture sunny days, pleasantly cool mornings and 70 degree temperatures with virtually no tourists traipsing the streets.
Kelli and I were the sole foreigners anytime we strolled around.
Perhaps a small group of Turkish tourists descended on the village each weekend but that was it.
Forget mornings and evenings. Sometimes I did cardio during low traffic hours. I saw five times more street dogs than human beings.
Street Dogs and Cats
Kalkan – like Turkey – boasts a strong street dog and street cat culture.
Pooches and kitties roamed freely around town in largely serene fashion. Locals feed and provide water for our furry brothers and sisters as Muslim culture in this part of the world preaches care for all living things.
Although some Turks tend to fear street dogs it seems a fair portion cares deeply for the 4 legged Fido’s, along with a mindful expat community preaching spaying, neutering and general responsibility as far as curbing the street animal population.
Two of the three dogs we cared for hailed from the streets. One clung to her proper diva ways (words of homeowners) after migrating from England.
Video Highlights
- neighbor fires up tractor before driving away
- call to prayer (Azzam or Salah) blares from loudspeakers in the background
- 3 delightful doggies make cameos to horse around for a bit
- side view of the 4 story villa
- pool and property view of the villa
- 1080 p video clarity
Click to enjoy the video:
Ryan Biddulph is the owner and creator of Blogging From Paradise Dot Com.