Staying with sister Barbara Kallash at her House of Peace was like staying at your own home - if it was so pretty! We have very much enjoyed the home-atmosphere shared with other visitors and with Barbara herself.
We have sung several nice songs together.
Then presented the torch to Barbara.
And to visiting students and teachers from Eberhard Karls Universitat Tabingen.
After an awesome pide and ayran...
...we have presented the school with Certificate of Appreciation for accepting the torch...
...and also to Azra Ceunndioğlu from local synagogue.
We had one for sister Barbara as well.
We were invited to the synagogue...
...and then to local orthodox church...
...where we were received by local priest.
Meanwhile, there was shopping to do in the bazaar. Finding lamp oil for the torch was not so easy in the long streets full of colorful (and often eatable and tasty) stuff.
After that we headed to the last Armenian village in Turkey - Vakıflı. On the hills of the Mountain of Moses the local priest has blessed our torch and lid the fire.
Locals were very kind to infuse our torch with their wishes for us to carry.
And we have planted together Peace Tree to remind us of the time we shared together.
Let it grow until we return!
We stopped by the Tree of Moses.
For local people it's an important mysical place. The legend says, when Moses was passing through the area he stopped here to rest and laid into the ground his walking stick which has then become this tree.
This is how Turkish pizza is made in the countryside. Pranava even made the blasphemous statement that Italians should learn from this lady how to do it properly!
We were then invited for lunch to Ayhan Kara's house.
Ayhan has reconstructed and old Armenian house into a fabulous home.
His sense for detail has made this place almost an art gallery.
Lunch!
But most inspiring were for us Ayhan's aspiration towards projects improving local area and promoting running as one of the tools helping to bring people together!
Our Appreciation in the Certificate form goes to Ayhan!
Yes, these are true bannanas.
The view of Samandağ below.
Smiles!
We were so happy to meet with Ayhan! A truly inspirational person.
A passing-by couple sharing with us a moment and a nice view.
Ayhan's friend is helping him with his projects.
Titus Tunnel was carved into the rock by Romans. It takes away water from mountains after big rains and protects nearby villages and port from floods.
It really is big!
Looking mystical with the torch.
Time to relax near seaside.
And happy 4th birthday to Isam!
Isam's parents are a kind-hearted Syrian couple staying in Barbara's house.
