Varuna Gezgin

When I pack my bag, toilet paper goes in first! It’s almost like I can’t travel without it. People normally laugh at me about it, but I can’t stop telling them how useful toilet papers are. Perhaps, Bob Dylan would understand me the best. Though I never wrote song lyrics on toilet papers.

I think a real traveler is a person who can prepare a backpack in a short while, using the limited wisely. You often see some people doesn’t use most of the things they bring with them and start regretting when they don’t have the power for carrying the heavy bags. So, I certainly believe there is such a notion as “a professional traveler”.

I was wondering the night life in Dorylaeum. My previous visits had not included discovering the shining streets where youngsters hang out. So, I asked my friend to take me to one of the city’s favorites.

I saw the bikes in front of the pub and I already liked the place. My friend told me that the owner of the place is a traveler and everything he collected in his trips is in the pub. It’s not only the owner, but also the staff and the customers who travel together. They even have a website that they write useful information about traveling, countries, cities, hostels etc. I wish there was an English version, but still you can make it translated: http://www.varunagezgin.com/

The pub is more than a place to drink. It’s a social community too! My friend told me the pub organizes many events that brings the travelers together. For example on Sundays, there is a Pub Quiz. They show pieces from movies, pictures (painting, architecture etc.) and play songs and you guess to whom does that piece belong. The winners get a bottle of whiskey, or gin or whatever they have for that day.

Everywhere in the pub is covered with pictures and tickets and flags; anything related to traveling. I quite enjoyed the atmosphere since I’ve always felt great in international environments.

The waiters were really energetic and friendly. They were probably university students. We had to wait in at the first floor for a while until they arranged us a table on the terrace. I think the first floor is really nice except sitting indoors is not what I desire when it’s summer time.

While we were waiting we ordered drinks. You can’t believe how happy I was when I saw Leffe on the menu! Until that moment, I had not seen any bar in Turkey selling Leffe. So I definitely had to go for it, it wasn’t even expensive. After a short while, the charming waitress told us, “I only have bar seats.” I was hesitated because bar seats are not the most comfortable but my friend nodded yes so I did not say a word.

When we reached our seats, my friend turned to me and said “bar seats???” Apparently that nodding was random… But I think, bar was the best place! I did not like the tables, people were squeezed and it looked like a restaurant. The barmen were fun yet a little arrogant. There was some celebration, so only the people sitting around the bar got tequila shots. The staff sometimes gathered and had Jägermeister shots. Before drinking, they were shouting “oi, oi, oi, oi!” and some voice coming from somewhere commented, “Why, are they Irish?” I chuckled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF5ngUzGWhU

I wanted the DJ to play Movits!- Skjut Mig I Huvet but he didn’t! I really wanted to hear that song in that moment… That’s why I have to add it here. And by the way I didn’t see any toilet papers in the bar, collected as a memory