In the 80's I used to travel a lot by shared taxi, dolmuş; not the minibuses you see today but Willys jeeps, mostly ex-US army from the 50s and 60s. It was a bumpy and drafty ride and a bit of a struggle to get in and out of the back. I frequently used to ride in a jeep that didn't have a working hand-brake so the clutch control of the driver was crucial if you wanted to get out alive on a hill. Yes, you guessed it, I lived on a slope, so I always got out way before my house. One day I arrived home to find that I'd left my bag in the jeep, along with about £250 cash and travelers cheques (remember them). None of the money was mine, it was all excursion money from my holiday clients. I was getting into full swing panic mode when there was a knock at the door and I tearfully opened it to the beaming dolmuş driver holding out my bag, all money intact. As I'd always got out early, he must have driven around asking until he found the right house.
Now I'm back in Bodrum, I doubted whether this generosity of spirit still existed, having read so many horror stories on the ex-pat forums. But only a few days after we arrived, I was on a dolmuş to Milas to collect our new car when the driver stopped to pick up a woman in her late 50s. She told him she was on her way to collect her pension so had no money. Would he still take her to Milas? Of course he would. A small event but it gave me hope that human kindness still ruled here. I've had this post on the back burner for a couple of months as I felt that this one action didn't prove much, then yesterday I read my fellow blogger Ayak's post about her recent experience of a kind dolmus driver and decided this is the day to press the publish button.
Thanks to Ayak for the link.
http://ayak-turkishdelight.blogspot.com/2012/03/travelling-book-sagacontinued.html
A lovely story.... and teams up with Ayak's tale so well. We all look forward to bus trips in Turkey.It seems that actually, yes, despite the UK tabloid view of the world, there are lots of good people out there.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to use the dolmus much more this year and leave the car at home. You see much more of Turkish life on the bus and the cost of car parks almost covers the bus fare.
DeleteYour story combined with Ayak's almost makes me want to pack up and move to Turkey! To know there are still people in the world who are honest and kind is an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI think you get back what you give out - ( I think Lennon and McCartney phrased that better)
DeleteI've yet to meet a dolmuş driver who isn't helpful. Apart from the linked post, I've mentioned their acts of kindness on many occasions on my blog. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for them. They really do restore faith in human nature.
ReplyDeleteLovely story Annie x
Liam and I have experienced numerous examples of dolmuş drivers allowing people to travel free, be they OAPs people struggling with their shopping or children without a penny in their pocket. Dolly drivers are a breed apart and a reminder of a Turkey fast disappearing - sadly.
ReplyDelete. . not a dolmus tale, but twice over the past couple of years this old 'boffer' has been chased along the street by locals returning the VISA card I'd left in the ATM. Don't you just love this country?
ReplyDeleteThanks to Ayak, Jack and Alan for your confirmation that kindness is still the No. 1 instinct here.
DeleteBetween your story and Ayak's about some Turkish ways of everyday life I feel better moving there in the near future with my Turk husband.
ReplyDeleteI will now follow your Blog...thanks for sharing your story.
Welcome Erica , Turkey is a great place to live. Give me a buzz if you have any queries.
DeleteBacktoBodrum@gmail.com