Zeus Magarasi

The weather here has turned HOT.  I guess it must be a "dry heat," as the say, because if we don't do anything and sit in a shady spot we are fine, but any exertion at all leaves us dripping with sweat.  To beat the heat Selcuk and I went to Zeus Magarasi, a cave with a giant cold-water spring in it.  It is maybe 1.5 miles away, right before the Mili Park entrance.  The opening is large, and a few yards down from the entrance is the cold water.  The water reaches to all the walls and is quite deep.  The rumor is that there are under-water passages that go for miles.  There are a few rock islands that you can swim to and sit for awhile.  The water is wonderfully cold and fresh and clear.  When I first get in I have trouble breathing normally because it is so cold.  Last year we brought Nehir with us but this year he is feeling more fearful about swimming in general and said the water was too cold so he stayed home. 

Nehir has been playing with an older boy all day.  I think their play goes smoother because the older boy understands that Nehir is little and sort of looks out for him.  He gets kind of manipulative sometimes, like telling Nehir that he should be able to ride Nehir's bike all night instead of taking turns or else he will not invite him over to watch cartoons.  Nehir has learned, however, to get adult help in such situations instead of screaming or hitting, so we just tell the older kid to play nice and then he does.

Taylan has scrapes on his knees from tripping repeatedly while walking around the neighborhood paths.  He loves to be out in the garden area and gets really upset when we make him stay on the balcony.  The only reason we make him stay in is to avoid the beastly hot, midday sun.  He has taken a shine to Dede and is constantly begging him to take him out in the garden.  He calls out some gibberish to get his attention, arches his back and puts his hands in the air.  If Dede doesn't pick him up right away, he resorts to his angry cry/scream.  Dede loves being favored in this way, but I think he gets weary of carrying Taylan around much of the day.  He also takes him over to see the cows.  Taylan moos by putting his head back and humming loudly. 

Selcuk found out he made the first cut for an important grant award.  He was one of 58 applicants, and they selected 17, including him as finalists.  They will pick 4-5 to receive grants.  He is very happy to have made the first cut and I am happy too, it is a really good proposal.