We've just returned from 12 days in Turkey, we stayed in a rural part about 90 minutes drive from Bodrum, not encountering any other English speaking tourist during our stay,. We did however visit Bodrum markets for a day and I was saddened to see how many English tourists were buying up all the fake goods available. On our flight home everyone was dressed top to toe in knock off gear, including clothing, trainers and handbags.
I'm guilty of having done this when visiting Turkey 20 years ago, buying fake goods, but after living in South Africa and witnessed the effects of gun crime, I carried out my own research and discovered that the sale of fake goods was the quickest and easiest way for organisations to raise funds for terrorist activities, to purchase guns, for human trafficking, drugs and child exploitation.
Besides the fakes baring no resemblance to the actual genuine product, the spelling is often wrong and the quality of the items are poor.
With all the information available on the internet today, I had hoped that people would be better informed, but sadly we seem to be living in a society where people think just having stuff with a label, even a false ones means they can show others they have achieved something in life even if when they get back to work on Monday, everyone knows they've been to Turkey and have bought it in market and it's a knock off.
225 Monday We moved into a hotel for the rest of the visit. After unpacking we just chilled out reading books and I wandered into the market for a latte. In the evening our friends joined us and we walked to Champagne Bay about 15 mins away for a swim. In the evening Peter and I built a fire in the garden and we cooked fish. it was delicious, we also cooked marshmallows, the popcorn was less successful.
226 Tuesday Off into Bodrum for the day to the markets and a spot of lunch. I found a Starbucks so was more than happy. Bought some souvenirs. In the evening back to champagne Bay and we ate at the market and had a couple of beers.
227 Wednesday I wandered down to the market in the morning for a latte and to purchase some beach shoes for us both. A day on Victoria beach and we were joined by a holiday horse and a holiday pony. They were just wandering around the sun loungers, there are stables at the beach. Back to Champagne Bay in the evening.
228 Thursday A level results day. I had a phone call with my student when she collected her results and to catch up with the other students, some very good results. Back to the horse beach for a swim, the horses were also enjoying a swim in the sea. We spent the afternoon in the hotel, reading by the pool. In the evening back to our friends for a swim in the pool then another BBQ, the neighbours came to complain about the smoke, they were ignored. I picked a pomegranate from the tree, it was delicious.
229 Friday We checked out the hotel mid morning after I'd been back down the market for a latte after breakfast while Peter finished packing. We headed off to the horse beach for a swim, We then back to friends for a swim in the pool, dinner then a lift to the air port. There were lots of forest fires in the area on the drive.
230 Saturday We arrived in Birmingham at 1am, the car was waiting for us and we got home at 3am. My friend had bought some milk, so a cup of tea and dealt with an angry cat and straight to bed. I woke at 6.30 am. We went out for coffee and breakfast as the fridge was empty and a bit of food shopping. I popped a gift down to my friend to say thank you for cat sitting, then back out to meet another friend for coffee in the afternoon. All the washing got done and I repacked for a trip to Belfast in the morning.
231 Sunday Early flight to Belfast. Brandon's was pleased to see me, son and DIL went out for a run. We made a video call to son in Australia. I struggled to stay awake. Popped out to do a food shop, had dinner and I had an early night.
Books read this week:
Blood Lines - Angela Marsons
The Road Trip - Beth O'Leary
Words written towards book: 0
Clothes bought: 0
On the blog this week: A driveway awning for the campervan
Things that made me happy this week:
A lovely relaxing holiday, picking fresh pomegranates off a tree and eating them, watching a horse swim in the sea and hoping on a plane to visit my grandson.
How cool seeing the horses on the beach and swimming, even though a little surprising. A busy week for you, especially towards the end.
ReplyDeleteit was a bit of a surprise to have the horses wandering around the sun beds
DeleteIt sounds like you had a great trip.
ReplyDeleteThat is scary about the fake goods, especially in South Africa. Things with fancy labels doesn't interest me, my girls would be drawn to all the fake goods though.
It looks like a fantastic, relaxed week.
That is lovely that you caught up with your student on A-Level results day. x
It amazes me how often people are aware of where the money goes from the sale of the fake goods, but often just don't care
DeleteGlad you had a lovely holiday. You both look so relaxed in all your holiday selfies. How lovely to eat fresh pomegranates picked from the tree. Hope you enjoyed your time with your grandson. #project365
ReplyDeleteIt really was a lovely holiday and a very good summer
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