Secret Safe With Me: Üzümlü, Türkiye!

Üzümlü became the final stop during my week spent in Türkiye, with a family connection I was able to visit the wine producing village before I headed back to England the following day. From a little afternoon tipple at 'The Winehouse', to my kokoreç lunch, village life gave me a sense of calm. No, I wasn't disappointed by what I saw during my Türk village experience. Oh, Üzümlü!

After sorting out our transport arrangements, the journey from Çalış was blessed as a taxi would bring us back later on that day from Üzümlü. Leaving the others behind I made my way back over to The Winehouse, being a town derived from the word 'grape', I needed to try a glass of the local wine! Paying my Lira for my own bottle of Turkish wine had me feeling relaxed, the picturesque village of Üzümlü had me lost for words! As I sipped on my wine I felt content because everything had been bossed, spending that hour within the traditional Turkish style village had my week signed and sealed! The Winehouse left me in my feels but in the best way, walking towards the village centre didn't take me all that long but those period stone built houses had me taking serious notice. Yes, I easily could have stayed drinking that local wine but I had a village to discover. Challenging the narrative, I was able to experience Üzümlü really easily, within a quaint central setting I was able to be in the village centrum really quickly! Hadi! 

Word on the street was that Üzümlü had protected status, the village itself was under a conversation scheme to keep renovations in-order with the governments vision. I noticed that along the main street the clientele was practically all men, you know I respectfully scanned that area with intent. Relics or realness, I was loving Üzümlü's time-capsule settings without any doubts. I was feeling hungry, checking out a street-side cafe had to be done! That pint-size village eatery served me a banging serving of kokoreç for my nerve! Oh that kokoreç tasted better than what I had been previously served at the markets both in Fethiye and Çalış combined. Sipping on my Turkish tea was a whole mood, I was able to watch the village operate with a top billing view! My lunch was my own to enjoy, it was lovely to be out and about again with more to experience. Like pure honey, Üzümlü's nature served nothing but 'boutique fantasy' without any apologises to make. Sheep's intestines never tasted so yummy! Very that! 

The category was very much 'Uncle who like to play board-games in the shade!' Where were all of the women at? Like, I saw one lady prance to and from the local shop in her kitten heels, her strut was so severe, well she click clacked along that scorched path! During my cafe stop, I was able to observe the shiny looking mosque, which overlooked my lunchtime moment. Keeping in with the current administration of Türkiye, Üzümlü had definitely had a new mosque built in the centre of the village's heart. I did hear the call for prayer made, it was great to be part of that cultural experience whilst I sipped my tea without a care in the word. I had had my mosque moment in Manchester during November 2021, so that reference played back in my mind. From wine before lunch, that intestinal treat to then hear the call for prayer, Üzümlü treated me and then some! Finishing up my lunch had me feeling satisfied, the 30 Lira price tag had me shocked in the best way! Üzümlü made sure that those last minute Turkish food goals were scored! Yes!

Uncles, Dads, Brothers and Sons... Yes, those menfolk were busy playing their games, don't ask me what game it was, I didn't and still don't know! Their game-play looked like it was an everyday occurrence, a certain wave of masculine competitiveness could be felt in the air! Now, I love the smell of success! The mosque located opposite those playing tables definitely had an eye upon me and my thoughts, only 'Haram' vibes from that Üzümlü location stood in my brain! Grabbing a carton Ayran had to be done, I didn't want any fizzy refreshment because the salt content in the Ayran helps to retain salts lost from sweating in the hot weather. Lingering around the village had to be done, I had loved my time exploring through those characterful streets, clocking all of the scenery. The fact that an overnight visit wasn't happening, if that was the case, enough local wine would have been consumed! 'Secret Safe With Me', Üzümlü had most definitely saved the very best until last! What was I going to see next? Üzümlü guided me!

Leaving the village's centrum took some going, I honestly didn't want to leave Üzümlü's heart behind! The mountains had never left my side, from stepping out of the car by The Winehouse, those majestic rugged mountains had been my guide throughout my short exploration around Üzümlü's heart. Along with my carton of chilled Ayran, I made my way to the correct 'Sokak' numbered sign. As I made my way out of the village I saw a darling path that was more like a small road, those trusty mountains stared right back at me with a reassuring nod. The whole view had me falling in love with that part of Türkiye all over again. As I walked further towards my next destination I saw a smaller sized mosque, located on a corner that place of worship served a slice of China's Turpan. The whole feel of Üzümlü had me visualising those Xinjiang memories because Turpan shared the same grapevine production like Üzümlü. Adventure is where you find it, I found that adventure during the final throws of that week. Üz!

Correlating that connection allowed me to feel another Xinjiang similarity with that region of Türkiye, without a doubt that felt utterly amazing! It was crazy how much Türkiye looked like those places that I had been to in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, sincerely each connection had me making a live link between my 2019 and then 2022 summer adventures. Forever with me as a secret, my time in Üzümlü will stay with me because in Turpan I also enjoyed local wine, both Turkish and Chinese contingents shared that trade! Sure, I'll leave that Chinese Turkic element behind for now, as I made my way to my Aunt and Uncle's villa I kept those elements close to me. Arriving at that family meeting point, it was time for another lunch but of an English kind with enough wine and spirits washed down. You already know that I was treated to my very own sütlaç! Üzümlü had served everything and more, it was such a nice break away from the heat of Çalış! Content with my Turkish travel experience, it was home-time. No!

'Üzüm' Means 'Grape!'

Desperately Seeking Adventure