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Sunday 27 May 2012

A postcard from....

I am an international jet setter.  International?  Mr Dunnit and I got home from Turkey at 3am.  And despite what everyone thinks, Turkey is not in Europe.  Or so the Turkish tell me.  So that takes care of the International bit.  
Turkey, see, was not on the cards.  We left in a hurry last Tuesday to help out my parents who were there on holiday when my father became so ill that he's been in hospital for the last ten days.  Mum has been living in hospital with him because the hotel is too far away, they wanted the room back, blah blah, and  Mum is of an age where confusion and panic are very real.  So while Dad sucked up the IV drugs and slept, Mr Dunnit, Penny and I forced ourselves to take in ancient Antalya.  If you ever get the chance to go to Turkey, do not turn it down.  Beautiful.  Ancient.  Warm. Welcoming. Friendly.  And the Turkish people have a collective sweet tooth - oh, and a thing for ice cream...there's plenty of world wide brands to eat, but try the local stuff...honestly can't put my finger on it, but it was like a sorbet made with condensed milk.  Dipped in chocolate. And fresh pistachios.  So why wouldn't you go?  The people we mumbled appalling phrase book words at were warm, welcoming and utterly, utterly helpful.  You can have sunshine, sea and ancient history... sit within walls of 9th century architecture to have coffee...but don't be fooled..this is the 21st century...yes, the waiters were using PDA and blue tooth to place our orders!  Delightful contrasts were everywhere.  
Happily the greatest contrast we found in Turkey between Wednesday and Saturday was my father's health.  They are being flown home today, Dad needs to recuperate and Penny very badly needs to sleep and be in familiar surroundings.  A great ending.We have to be back at the airport for 3o'clock tomorrow morning to go to Spain.  Well, we don't HAVE to be, but it's been booked and paid for,  a holiday for Mr D, Miss D and myself and his lovely parents.  So that's a lot of holidays to be missed just because we're tired! 
I haven't visited a single, not one, workdesk. Not even the desks belonging to new WOYWWers and for that, I apologise.  It's going to continue...for now that my Sissy can help out, we're off again!  See you on Wednesday.  Hasta Lluego!

54 comments:

  1. So glad your Dad is well enough to travel home and have to admit, never been to Turkey but you do make it sound nice... pistachio icecream... yum!! Enjoy Spain you jet setter you!!

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  2. Great to hear that things are on the up - you little jet setter :) Safe journeys and have a fab time on Spain Julia. Love and hugs, Di xx

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  3. Sorry to read your Dad was taken ill, glad he is now able to return home at last. Enjoy your hol.
    Linbyx

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  4. aww so sorry your dad was ill, glad he is now coming to home to get fully better.
    Enjoy Spain...where next?

    x

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  5. Oh my goodness Julia . . . glad all has turned out well. Enjoy your holiday.

    Have MORE ice cream and a cocktail or two for me.

    Hugs,
    Sarn xxx

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  6. Wow! That's a lot of traveling. Turkey sounds lovely and now Spain. I'm glad you dad is recovering and able to come home!

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  7. Gosh, that must have been a shock for everyone! Your poor parents - I am glad your dad's fit enough to come home and that your mother will have the chance to recover from her stress in familiar surroundings.
    Sounds like a lovely trip though - despite the reason for going and the short notice. And of course, it would be a crime to miss your trip to Spain! Once you get there and can unwind a bit, I'm sure you will be so pleased to have made the effort, in spite of tiredness.
    Have a lovely time!

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  8. so glad your dad is on the road to recovery,x

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  9. Oh Julia I am so pleased that your Dad is feeling better albiet a little home R & R wont fix and Well maybe you can get some rest in Spain, have a good break please.

    Eliza

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  10. Oh Julia I am so pleased that your Dad is feeling better albiet a little home R & R wont fix and Well maybe you can get some rest in Spain, have a good break please.

    Eliza

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  11. So pleased your parents are coming home and I hope your dad recovers quickly once home. Have a great time in Spain - and don't worry about us WOYWWers!

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  12. Happy to hear your Dad is on the mend and bless her your Mum can get back to herself now back in the UK. Go and sample some more yummy local ice-creams - as if you need telling to do that!!!
    Kxoxo

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  13. So glad things are improving. Think we all like to sleep in our own beds especially at times of stress. Have a wonderful break in Spain...it's well deserved.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  14. It's great to read that your Dad is well enough to travel. Like you've mentioned before: don't bother visiting, just take care of "business." And you are in the business of traveling this month, it appears.

    One complaint. Only TWO photos? You really ARE the Queen of understatement. Would love to see more. Yep, I'm a real sponge when it comes to travel.

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  15. Good to hear your dad is recovering and I'm sure he will recover even quicker once he is home. Lovely photos too. Enjoy your break in Spain, perhaps have a bit of a rest ... if you can resist going out and about sightseeing for a while, oh and resist the urge to find an Internet cafe :)) Elizabeth x

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  16. So pleased to hear your dad is recovering. Turkey does look lovely, hope you enjoy a restful time in Spain too. Zo xx

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  17. So pleased to hear that your dear parents will be flying home, such a relief for all.
    Have a wonderful holiday in Spain and whilst we are here for you, you needn't worry about us!
    Love JoZarty x

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  18. glad your week is looking up now and Id love to visit turkey one day . . enjoy spain

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  19. Things are hopefully looking up then Julia. Have a fab time and best wishes to your Dad. x Jo

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  20. So glad to hear your Dad is coming home Julia. I'm sure they will both feel more settled on home soil and so will you just knowing they are back home. Try and get lots of R & R whilst in Spain and we will look forward to your return and see some more beautiful pictures. Safe Journey and Take Care of each other. Hugs Rita x

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  21. I'm told that laying by a pool and relaxing is the thing to do in Spain (unless you are a teenager) - maybe you should do lots and lots of that. Thank goodness your dad is on the mend.

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  22. Good to hear that the people of Turkey remain as warm and hospitable as they were 30 years ago. it was them a fabulous place to visit and away from the cities it is exquisite.

    Good to hear health improving and the impromptu holiday continues.

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  23. Hi Julia, really happy to hear that your Mum and Dad are coming home, you must all be so relieved. Home is best at times like this. Hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday in Spain, look forward to the pics. No one would expect a visit under the circs. Hasta Lluego to you too (don't know what it means but it sounds lovely!).

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  24. I'm so glad the Turkey story had a happy ending. Have a great time in Spain. It is lovely and hot here, and in the rest of the country I think. So relax and soak up the sun. Kate x

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  25. glad everything worked out ok and your Dad is on the mend. Photos look fab and the thought of a holiday to get over a holiday (even an unplanned one) made me smile. Enjoy :)
    janet

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  26. the desks will wait,

    take care,

    rest awhile,

    dxxxx

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  27. Glad to hear your Dad is well enough to travel home.

    Enjoy your holiday and I hope you get a chance to actually rest.

    Big hugs
    Toni xx

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  28. Glad to hear you Dad is on the mend hope your next adventure goes well x

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  29. good to hear about your Dad...and good for you...going to Spain... try to get a bit of sleep one of the days...haahhaha....

    Vee

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  30. I'm so sorry to hear of your fathers illness, good news he is getting well, your poor mum must have been so frightened, what a beautiful place to visit, heck to live there would be amazing too wouldn't it, take care and enjoy, have some more ice cream for me,ha ha, sounds amazing!!

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  31. I'm glad your parents are doing better. And that you're going on your holiday. No matter how much you enjoyed Turkey, it doesn't count as a holiday!

    take care and buen viaje

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  32. great news that Dad is well enough to come home...enjoy your next trip away you international jet setter you and don't worry about us WOYWW'ers...we understand...hugs kath xxx

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  33. Good news that you dad can come home, hope he continues to recover quickly. Have a great time in Spain. Anne x

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  34. Enjoy your holiday! So glad things turned out well and Dad is on the mend.....how worrying it must have been.
    xoxo Sioux

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  35. Glad your dad is much better and coming home. Have a great holiday and relax this time!! Turkey sounds fabulous.
    Von

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  36. What a super jet setter you are. Glad to hear your Dad's health has improved. Enjoy the rest of your hols.
    Elaine

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  37. So glad to know the trip went well and that your Dad is doing better. Have a marvelous time in Spain!

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  38. Hi Julia hope your mum and dad are resting now they are back home. I just popped over to let you know that I have now finished recycling the foil trays so when you have time pop over. Take care Annie

    Ps thanks for WOYWW and I am now your newest follower :)

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  39. So glad to hear Dad is well enough to travel home.. you are wee jet setter these days... you enjoy your hols.. and put your feet up.. us lot will still be around when you get back! you wont get rid of us that easy!! Hugs May x x x

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  40. Love your amusing posts, Julia, even during a stressful time for you all. I'm so happy that it all worked out so your parents could get off home in time for your planned vacay to proceed! Enjoy yourself! (I know you will!)

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  41. Gosh Julia its all go isnt it - glad to hear your Dad is feeling better now - enjoy your holiday!

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  42. Glad to hear that your Dad is recovering! And why not rest in Spain... :)
    Have a great time!
    Tuire xx

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  43. So pleased your Dad is on his way home.

    I told you Turkey wasn't so bad!

    Enjoy your break

    Jakix

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  44. Now that your Dad is on the mend and everyone back home safely...you can now relax and go on a real holiday. You surely must need one after all that worry.

    My hubby took my son to Turkey (for football reasons I won't mention which team ~ not to offend anyone) but I never went with them...boys bonding and all that...but reading about the icecream, histoy and seeing the brilliant photos I need to add it to my list!

    Have a safe journey and enjoy yourselves. Cya when you return ;D

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  45. Oh god Julia - I'm so sorry that your dear dad has been ill in hospital - particularly in a foriegn place. Thank goodness you were able to get to them. Fabukous news that he's well enough to go home (he'll be there now I should imagine). In the meantime, it is totally understandable that you weren't able to visit desks... who would actually expect you to under the circumstances? No-one I would hope.

    You completely deserve a fabulous holiday and may it be event free - apart from good ones that you plan!!!

    best wishes and hope to join in on Wednesday (but have to get my CV in order (more on that another time).

    All the best and big massive hugs to you and yours...

    Paula x x x x

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  46. SO pleased to hear he is doing well and you can carry one with your holiday! What a relief to have him out of the hospital and what a good daughter you are to jet over and help out. Enjoy the sunshine - we've had three days of it and now, rain again. Ah well, British summer and all that.

    See you when I see you and you are not going to get a wagging finger from me for no desk visits. I only had computer problems and I missed out on weeks - a sick parent trumps everything and we all understand.

    Cheers, m'dear.

    Mary Anne

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  47. Julia, so glad to hear that your Dad is getting better. Travel is one of my favorite things. Just wish I could get to the places where you are going.

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  48. wow, jet setting world traveller is right! Take your time and relax in Spain...it's great to hear your dad is doing much better...his recovery will probably be quicker in his own bed...now you need to just relax and have a good time!!

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  49. Phew ...what a week you have had ...glad to hear your dad is on the mend and well enough to travel home. xx

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  50. so I can let you into a secret. It is chewing gum. well similar kind of stuff anyway. seemingly it makes it less likely to melt and the icecream sellers are some of the funniest sideshows i have seen in a long time. glad you are back safe and sound.

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  51. We forgive you for not commenting, seeing as we travelled vicariously with you to Turkey and hopefully to Spain, post more piccies lol

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  52. So sorry to hear your dad was taken ill but glad that he is alright now and safely back home. Hope your trip will not be marred by it.
    Hugs, neet xx

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  53. Very glad to hear that all is well in the land of Chez Dunnit, hopefully Pater is back on British soil and continues to recover. The last time I saw Hadrians Gate (second photo) there was no sign but there was a wizened little old man with a really old fashioned and intricate shoe cleaning kit sitting in the shade of the wall. And see that really big mountain in that harbour shot? The one surrounded by clouds and stuff? I've climbed/hiked up that. And got lost on the way down when day turned into night in about 5 seconds flat! Spent the night with a peasant farmer and his wife in a little mountain village, quite the experience. Very heart warming for me to read your second post on Antalya and your description of the area and the people. I'm glad that at least hasn't changed.

    Hugs
    Brenda
    PS. Spain will pale in comparison with Turkey!

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  54. Beautiful photos. Wishing your family well and a Happy Holiday to you and yours. Vacations no matter what the planning is usually a great treat.

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