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Trabzon

As I arrived into town the road was straddled by a harbour on one side and a string of hotels on the other. A few people had mentioned that these were brothels servicing the sailors from the frequent cargo boats. I noticed one of the hotels I was considering was in that group so I gave it a miss and went with the more expensive option in the centre of town. Hot water, Heating, Excellent breakfast, Not a brothel, No regrets.

Trabzon itself is pretty enough though short on specific sites to visit. I walked around town for the day visiting a few of the mosques, the bazaar and the St Sophia museum. At one point I was joined by a local who noticed I was having trouble navigating my way through the back streets. He asked where I was going. I told him, he said follow me and I did. Soon I had an entourage of kids following me around everywhere. We played a little football, drunk some tea, he showed me a few other things not on the map, we met a bloke who said he was sailor, he offered me a smoke, I said I didn't smoke, he offered me a drink of vodka from his plastic cup, I said not before mid day, he asked where I was staying, I gave him the name of the hotel across from the harbour, he said me too, perhaps confirming my earlier concerns and we parted ways. I was relieved. No scam. Faith in human kind restored.

Today I went out to Sumela Monastery. I may question the possible benefits of building a monastery into the side of a cliff but the effect was amazing. Unfortunately most of it was closed for restoration but I still managed to see the paintings in and around the rock church. The surrounding valley was also worth a look.

Tomorrow I leave for Erzurum, fore casted minimum -26 Celsius. Wish me luck.

cheers,
schuey
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