Jeff and I are in Paris this week, and while we're gone, I'm publishing a few guest posts on people's favorite thing about Turkey for your enjoyment! Today's guest post is from Jack Scott.
July 2010 and it was Türk sezon. Bodrum was heaving with an abundance of people of all generations drawn from across the country taking their annual holidays before the start of Ramazan. The narrow streets were grid-locked and the air was filled with the piercing sound of angry monotone horns.
We ventured out into the sticky evening to imbibe the ambiance and sink a few jars. Slowly snaking behind the marina promenaders, we headed for Meyhane Sokak, a narrow lane off the bazaar and home to a cluster of small bars exclusively frequented by Turks. The place overflowed with good-humored trendy young things swaying to the deafening Turkopop. We managed to squeeze onto one of the tall bench tables lining the lane to enjoy the tequila-slamming crowd.
Our neighbor on the congested bench seemed particularly taken with Liam and popped a cherry in his mouth. Our forward friend was the manager of a particularly famous Turkish pop band and invited us to meet the band at a neighbouring club. We politely declined.
Next up were four young Turks, two of each gender. The ladies wore impossibly short shorts and skimpy strappy tops. Ladies of the night, I assumed. I could not have been more wrong. All four were European Turks visiting Bodrum and old friends. Conversation flowed as quickly as the alcohol and before we knew it, the only British punters were accepted into the throng with open arms. The atmosphere was electric.
We spotted a couple of beef cakes standing provocatively outside the bar opposite. On the adjacent table was a pair of fey gays. Had we finally reached the end of the Yellow Brick Road? We’d happened upon the only almost gay bar in Bodrum and all completely by chance. We shall return.
About the Author: Jack Scott describes himself as "a diminutive, myopic, washed up ex-pretty boy with my best years behind me, living in Turkey with a distinctly perverse and frivolous view of the world. I write about my experiences to stave off the inevitable descent into alcoholism." Jack blogs at Perking the Pansies.
