Day 78 (Turkey): Pinarbasi (back to where I came from)

today’s distance: 8km
total distance: 5013km
riding time: 1\2h

I couldn’t motivate myself to get up. The bed seemed like a good place to be. I also figured that if the package was going to come in, I would receive a phone call. I didn’t … And when I went to inquire at 10am, nothing had come in. According to DPD’s tracking system, the package hadn’t moved since 10:41am the previous morning and was still in Istanbul. I called the Turkish courier company (DPD contracts this out it seems) and the rep told me that it was to be delivered today after first reading out loud what I had in front of me. I asked at what time I could expect the delivery and she said late afternoon. My hint at a promised early delivery was met with: “I will call you back in five minutes.” I had heard that before. But she did and told me that it would be delivered before noon. I happened to talk to the hotel manager at 11:45am (”Do you know any more than yesterday?”) when the delivery arrived. I grabbed everything and put my new rear wheel and a new chain on, had to fumble a bit with the break and after some other adjustments left at around 1:30pm to get to the bus station.

(click on the picture for a larger view and to read the notes; since I had a package coming, I decided to have other things sent in that I would need eventually like a replacement chain)

Once there I was told that the earliest bus wouldn’t leave until 9pm, which would be a bit late. Turns out that I found one that left at 3:30pm and would get me back at around 10pm. I jumped at the occasion and after a brief stop at Kayseri hopped off a pretty subdued bus (the miracle of today gave us a live feed of the Switzerland - Turkey game, Switzerland just having scored the first goal; Turkey would eventually win the game with a goal in overtime; the reporter sounded very much Latin American with his elongated Gooooooaaaaaaaal, Gooooooaaaaaaaal) at Pinarbasi. 

Though it was dark, I still remembered the places that we passed. The first major climb out of Kayseri seemed to effortless on the bus, the place where I stopped for lunch (banana and Coke because of my upset stomach that day) or the place where I realized that my rim was busted. All the while I was thinking of the many messages that I received from all of you. I checked my inbox in Kayseri quickly and found a plethora of messages. Let me just say thank you!!!!  These messages mean a lot to me and as I was sitting on the bus I was in good spirits that things will turn out well. I will try to get back wit you individually, but that may be a couple of days or so.

Interestingly, I also got a message on the comments section of the German blog from a DPD employee. It seems like at least one person is reading this blog now (welcome Petra, no sarcasm intended) and thanks for the clarification. I understand that there are two customs inspections (which is what Petra had hinted at), but that wasn’t the reason for my disappointement with DPD in this whole - rather frustrating - experience (without wanting to rehash things, but “forgetting” to pick up the package for two days and giving out a lot of wrong information to name a few). But maybe I can convince DPD to make a donation for the charity part of this project??? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if this is something that you’re interested in.