Chris and I really enjoyed working for room and board in southwest France back in November. So much so, we decided to do it a second time, this time in Turkey. After a little bit of Internet searching, we found a family living on a ranch who were looking for some help with the animals, the kids, construction and ranch maintenance. The ranch was located in a tiny village called Yaniklar, with Fethiye as the closest city (a short 20 minute dolmus (minibus) ride away). We took a chance and went for it. Once again, humanity had passed the trust test.
A 15 minute walk from the house and you're on the Mediterranean coast
We were picked up by a very smily and energetic Tina. Originally from Germany, but living In Turkey for 14 years, she is the Mamoush of the house. I then met Duran, the handsome Turkish yet really intimidating Baboush. The story of when we first met: with one hand behind his back he asked if I would have a problem with a dead duck. "Um.....no" I replied. He then brought out a dead duck from behind his back and started plucking his feathers. He told me that this duck had lived a very good life with his friends and that he would be part of tonights supper (among other things Thankgoodness). I opted out of the duck dish but Chris had some and he says "it 's a good duck". Duran was Chris' work partner during our time there. Duran admired Chris' work ethic and skills. So much that he let go of his machoism and hugged him! Oh...AND he would make Chris some things that he wouldn't make me...like hot chocolate!!!
I had a hard time getting a good picture of Duran. He did not like cameras so I had to sneak it on him.
They also have three wonderful children. First Michelle, a very mature 14 year old who is passionate about her horses. She is a horse whisperer. In pouring rain, I would often find her in the paddock talking and comforting the horses. She would spend her Saturdays taking out every horse (12) cleaning them and taking them out for a sprint because she felt they could use some action during winter, their lazy season. They are her best friends and i quickly found out what she meant when she said that she liked to hang out with her friends on the weekend. She knew everyone of them so well. She could read their thoughts from the eyes, the body, the ears, the legs, the neighs... So many times and would tell me "look at how he's moving his nose, hd is saying 'cuddle me, I'm having a crazy day today'" or "look at her ears and her feet, she's saying 'I don't even know you and you think you're gonna boss me around'". I had a lot to learn about a horses' feelings. Nevertheless, I DID know how to read their ears as we had a very responsive rabbit back in Canada and they're from the sand family. Michelle wants to be a vet and she will be one day. She is every horses' dream mama. 
Training Princess.
I dare you....
Then there is Sevgi, the 7 yr old middle child who was sensitive, rambunctious and sweet in her own special way. She is the artist of the family. She was the polar opposite from Michelle. She does not like to get dirty and would prefer helping with the housework and the cooking (actually, she LOVED doing these things) then clean the paddocks and horses. After supper, I could always count on playing a very fun, yet EXTREMELY competitive game of memory or war. She spent many nights doing homework (I still can't get over how much homework she was given...she was only in grade two and spent at least 2 hrs a night on it!!) and so playing these games after the hard mental work was bliss. I had a special bond with her and despite the language barrier -they fluently spoke German and Turkish and knew bits if English from the customers (tourists) they've had on their ranch- we really enjoyed each others' company.
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| Pretty girl Sevgi |
Then there's Benny, the Benjamin of the family. He is the cutest and most charming boy I ever did see. At 4 years of age, he already knew how to melt the ladies' hearts. "You're beautiful like the sun" and "I like you and not just because your hair is like honey" were some of his clever tactic lines to get you to play trucks with him. Due to his perfected charming skills you just couldn't stay mad at him for more than 2.5 seconds. He's that good. And clever. He is a very happy (and did I mention cute and irresistible?) boy, one of those kids that you really need to work hard to hold yourself back from hugging him to death. He was a hard worker who took his playing very seriously. "I am working" he would say as he's making a house out of cardboard for the mice outside. Everyone evolves around Benny, denied of not.
"Renee, your face more beautiful than this flower"
Buddies
I...just...can't...
stop hugging him too hard.
The kids: Sevgi, Benny and Michelle
Whoa whoa...you thought that was it for the family?! Heck no! They also had non-human members. Meet... Carabash, the cute and spunky dog. She lazed around all day but was good at fulfilling her job welcoming you home.
What you looking at, punk?
Libby, the rescued guard dog (or miniature horse more like). Weighing more than me, I was given training duty. He was a very energetic dog who was not aware of his size. His sheer force has left me with scratches, bruises, a pulled pack and a very sore arm. Oh, and who can forget the liters of drool that have splattered all over me. The kengal dog : bread to kill wolves
Lala and, two sibling cats who spent the day sleeping and cuddling each other and the nights being stealthy hunters with a big appetite.
Good company
Brother and sister. They were always cuddling and hugging each other.
Lucy, the crow. She's the boss of the house and the cats and dogs live by it. Lucy fell from her nest when she was young and broke her wing. They adopted her. She sleeps in a flower pot and likes to help me tend to the garden.
Lucy, the domestic crow. Even the cats were scared of her.
The yard chickens, including James Brown and the Showgirl - Duran is an animal lover and found a lot of pleasure from their company. For example, these chickens, whom he had walking around his yard all day, were merely there as hd enjoyed watching them live. We certainly did, especially James Brown and Showgirl
James Brown and Showgirl
The ducks- My favorite! In the morning, I would bring the tablescraps from last nights' supper down to them. When they would hear my whistle they would come find me, wobbling and quacking, in a straight line. Then, I'd fill up the kiddy pool and they would spend the day swimming, bathing, playing and sleeping. Oh, and laying eggs, which I would collect. They were DELICIOUS! This experience has convinced me that I want 4 or so ducks...for pets! Okay, and eggs too.
One of my morning chores. My favorit one actually.
The geese- despite their size they are meeeeeaaan! They will hiss and charge you if need be and if I had to get really close to them, I'd carry a big stick. They even hissed at the horses, who would also get out of their way. Power-trippers....think they can push ME around.
Meanies....
Miss Cluck and her babies- Miss Cluck is an ugly chicken who hatched 15 eggs carrying the cutest black and yellow chicks. Sometimes they would find a hole and fall out from their chicken coop. We would then find them chirping hopelessly, looking for mama. We'd help them find their way to the warm underside of momma hen.
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| A good mother. She could fıt 15 chicks under her. |
Horses- Including the colt and the filly, they had 12 beautiful horses. They had half-lingers, quarter-horses (2 were retired racehorses) thoroughbreds and Arabian horses. A good mix. They were very well trained and each and everyone had a very unique personality. At the beginning they all kind of seemed alike but after three weeks, we really got to find their true personality. And personality is one thing that horses have ALOT of! 
Umut, Chris' favorit horse
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Little boy Alpha and Umut
Sabir and Efejan can't stop cuddling ! |
Mama Ickis (pronounced Eye-kiss) had her baby. Everything happened the way it should and she didn't any help from us. The baby came out confused scared but eager to stand. After a few minutes, she was standing (yet wobbly). By the end of the day, she was learning to use her legs for other things, such as moving hay and kicking. The next day she learnt how to run. the whole week she was running, kicking and falling....getting her bearings. It's adorable to see such an innocent and naive animal, thriving on curiosity.
The filly, Dilek, 5 minutes after beinf born, getting used to standing.
Dileck, 1 hour later
This is Dileck right before we left.
We were kept really busy, Monday to Saturday, 6-9 hours a day. Chris' days were quite laborious, as he took off old roofing and replaced it with aljmknium roofing. He roofed (word check) one large stable and an outdoor kitchen. He hadn't worked since he left home. However, it felt good to be working again and using muscles that had been slacking these last months. A big difference from this workaway then the last one in France was that the owners were also involved in the work. Duran was there, working with Chris 100% of the time. They were work partners, thus increasing motivation as well as work ethic.
Chris building a roof. The second one.
As for me, I mostly did animal care work and housework. I especially liked the animal work. Cleaning the drinking water for the horses, cleaning horseshoes, grooming the horses, feeding the ducks, making sure the duck pool was full, collecting eggs, cleaning the horse pens and finally, training Libby, the giant.
Running after the horses to give them some exercise.
Getting the horse's ready for riding : hoof cleaning.
Chris often helped me train Libby. Size wise, he's more Chris appropriate. How can I be expected to alpha-conquer this giant? I've learnt that maybe I don't need a massive huge dog.
Yes, we did work hard. Actually, some workdays were longer than the ones back home. Still, hard work always has pay back and we had our arms full. First, naturally, the constant company of animals. There's something special about being able to go visit some horses and ducks whenever you want. They have so much personality...you could watch them for hours!
Chris nosing Guven.
"Come on Lady, let's bareback !"
Chris is ready to ride....and so is Umut !
The best part though, was being able to go horseriding along the mediterranean beach. One day we decided to each take a horse (Chris, Michelle and I) and play around in the training area.
We could get used to this !
Living with a family was the most enriching experience. Sitting around a table for supper, having good homecooked (mostly vegetarian!!) meals every night, playing with kids in the evening...these are some of the family orientated things that we seldomly did backpacking. Things we won't take for granted. Plus, it was nice seeing the cultural differences of it, see how things differ from back home. Chris and I were in isolation and despite enjoying company from the family, having our down time was (and has always been!) a big priority for us. Being that we were far from any form of media entertainment, we would often retreat in our room (which was beautiful) and spend hours reading, writing, discussing. One thing is for sure is that we've learnt to entertain ourselves with very little and allow each other to, not only permeate, but become part of each others bubble. But alas- all things come to an end when traveling. It's a common truth, old adventures end and new ones begin. After three weeks, this experience has been lived, this page has been written and this family that we felt part of during our time here is a memory that will always be a part of us.
Our Turkish-German family. We loved them very much.
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