It's a great day when you don't end up in handcuffs!

10.1.12
We arrived in Selcuck and dropped our bags so we could go out and see the town. We had some directions from Gabi, one of the owners of our hostel and first on our list was the remains of a roman aqueduct. After that we headed toward the old church and mosque for some sunset photos. As we approached St. John's church a man walked up and told us he would show us the perfect , most beautiful spot to take pictures from. He led us in the direction that someone ha already pointed us in a few blocks back. Aldo and I introduced ourselves and he told me he was a worker excavating at the church. We chatted as Tom trailed behind taking pictures. Aldo told me all about the history of the church and pointed out the great view of the castle on the hill. I took some pictures as Tom caught up to us and I introduced them. Aldo had just told me since we were such a nice couple he would take us into the church and show us where he was working. He told me it wouldn't open to the public for a year. Awesome opportunity! I called to Tom to follow as we climbed rocks and over narrow ledges and down a rocky incline and suddenly.... Gorgeous views, picturesque sunset views over this ruined church. Tom and I were snapping away as Aldo hurried us around. I was wishing for more time to shoot but after all, this guy was doing us a favor even bringing us in so I didn't feel like I could ask for more of his time. Finally he said, would you like some time alone in here to take pictures? Uh, sure.... He had mentioned earlier that we might give him a little something for his trouble so when he mentioned again at this point that ticket prices were 25 lira each so that was 50 lira total, I started seeing the red flags. Tm said he would give him 20 lira, did he have change for a 50? At this point Aldo got a little sketchy and insisted on the 50 so Tom went ahead and gave it to him. Aldo left saying if we needed him he would be out front. Tm confirmed where the exit was and after Aldo left Tom turned to me and said "I don't think we are supposed to be in here". I agreed, and we kept taking pictures as we headed toward the exit area. I started to worry the police might meet us at the exit or something. I was pretty sure we were going to end up in handcuffs at about the time we saw the official looking guy come toward us with a big frown on his face. As we approached he asked when we had come in and we told him. He asked if we came in the entrance and had a ticket..... Uh, no... And we told him about Aldo. He frowned again, said he understood and shooed us out the exit.... Phew!!! Clean getaway and no handcuffs or uncomfortable time in a Turkish prison(Hi Shaney!) We agreed we had been stupid tourists and could see all the inconsistencies in hindsight, but.... Totally cool that we got to be in this awesome church alone at sunset without a crowd of people in our pictures!!!! So worth the 50 lira ($25.00)

On the way back to our hostel we had dinner and I went to buy I dress I had seen earlier. Tm got a Nargile pipe across the street while he waited for me. When I walked out of the store Tom called to me, " look who it is!" It was out friend Matt who we had met three days before in another town half way across Turkey! ( everybody sing.... It's a small work after all, it's a small world after all!)