15 August, Horasan to Erzurum, 85km
Otel Emre 70TL
The 400m we climbed today were almost imperceptible
until the last longish hill just before the vibrant city of Erzurum. One of the
things I love about cycling west with the early sun directly behind me is my
shadow. It is thrown way out ahead of me, all its component parts visible. I
can see my panniers beneath me, neat and solid, and my circular mirror keeping
me safe. I can see my flag fluttering above me, and my shirt and scarf flapping
in the breeze of my making. And I can see in front of my feet my shadow feet on
their jagged pedals, circling, circling, circling. My shadow feet make all
effort seem effortless. My shadow feet look as though they are having fun.
Chasing my shadow in the early morning IS fun, and inspires me to greater
speeds. By midday, of course, my shadow is a lumpy thing beneath me, tired and
less stirring. Erzurum has a lovely square in its centre with a mosque and
medrese (seminary) thereon, surrounded by flowers and strolling, corn-on-the-cob-eating,
balloon-buying, ice-cream-devouring, chatting locals: families, couples,
youngsters. Erzurum’s restaurants and malls are modern and attractive, her
street lights enticing, her atmosphere relaxed.
Between Horasan and Erzurum
Between Horasan and Erzurum
Between Horasan and Erzurum
Between Horasan and Erzurum
Erzurum
Erzurum
Erzurum
Erzurum