Erasmus trekking trip

Hello, everyone! Today I would like to share my experience of first Erasmus trekking trip outside Eskisehir. It was our first month of Erasmus mobility, and we still did not know each other so good. It was a great opportunity to get to know each other. 

Our lead was ESN Anadolu member who planned everything. Our destination was Aşağı Kalabak Köyü - Yukarı Kalabak Köyü. This little village is around 40 kilometres away from Eskisehir. Also, it was the end of February, but the weather was very comfortable for trekking. I could say that it was quite hot.

Our trip has started!

The very beginning

Our trip had started when everyone gathered in front of Eskisehir's main shopping mall Espark. We were totally around 25 people, including Erasmus individuals and others. We had to take a tram from Espark to Odunpazari district. When we got there, our bus was nearly leaving, so we had to hurry a little bit. Also, we found out that we have few guides to lead us through all the way. 

When we reached territory somewhere nearby Aşağı Kalabak Köyü, we got off the bus and started the trekking trip. The area seemed half desert because there was no grass and a lot of trees. We have begun going and near one private house, we found one dog that wanted to lead the way for us. Moreover, this dog was always following us and keeping our company.

We were crossing the river, and our first destination was to climb up to the top of the hill. Climbing was quite dangerous because the way was not so plain. If you are not careful, enough it can be possible to fall, but it was not so possible as I am saying. The hill was quite high, it can be approximately 50 metres. But the view from there was fantastic. We decided to take a rest and have snacks with tea.

We were just sitting and having a nice talk with everyone. There were some rock structures, in the form of a cone. Our guides told us that during the time it became empty from inside, and just the boundaries were left. We took photos of it, and even some people were brave enough to climb to the top of the cone rock to take the pictures of themselves. We also took a photo with Lithuanian flag.

It was a good time to show our flag. Why am I saying this? Because we were told that not to show our flag in the streets. The reason for that is that our country flag is similar to terrorist group flag, but their flag is opposite of ours. 

Later we started going further, and we did not know where. We were told that after some time we will reach a small village. After some hours of trekking, we took a rest in the forest to have some snacks. In a soon time, we went and finally reached a village. However, it was about time to finish our trip and turn back to Eskisehir. We were waiting for a bus to come

Evening 

Problems with bus schedule

Nevertheless, the bus schedule was incorrect, and the next bus was just in the late evening. We had no choice but to stay in the village and try to find doing something. While our guides were thinking what should we do, we were just enjoying a company of few dogs who were very friendly. 

After our guides had thought of something, we went to another small village on foot. They decided that we should have a camp fire in appropriate place and do a picnic. The way there was not long, just a few kilometres. But our legs were tired already because we were walking quite much through all the day. We were just walking and talking with everyone.

Having a picnic

After we have reached the village, our guides were thinking where should we have a picnic and which place is appropriate for a camp fire. On the contrary, we were so hungry, and we did not have any food left. This is where the story gets funny. Our guides went to a village house for asking some food and telling the situation. Moreover, our guides came back with bread and eggs!

We found a lot of wood around the area and started the fire. In addition to this, the bread was freshly made and so nutritious. We had so much food for all of us. It was already getting dark, and we started cooking. Even if we were tired, but we were in the mood and wondering what is going to happen next. We believed that this is probably no the end. 

Try to imagine, how much eggs and bread we had that we even did not finish eating everything :D The evening was fabulous, we were relaxed and always telling jokes. There was one girl from Poland, but she was not Erasmus. She was trying to keep everyone in the mood and made such good jokes. Thanks to her everyone got tired fast from laughing too much :D 

Our way to Eskisehir

It was time already to turn back to the village and wait for our bus. We did not want to be late. It was time already for the bus to arrive at the bus stop and we were still waiting. It was very late, and we started laughing what can be next. Some people assured us that the buses can be very late in Turkey, this is normal for them.

Finally, our bus has arrived! We were just sitting and resting in the bus. This evening did not finish yet as you think. Actually, in the middle of our way to Eskisehir, the bus struck down. It had a problem with the engine, and we could go with the speed of maximum 20 kilometres per hour. Later, the bus has stopped, and we were waiting for another bus to come. 

Meanwhile, we found one amazingly huge dog that seemed dangerous. But no, he was so friendly. When he stood up, he was even taller than me, almost two metres! After some minutes another bus has arrived to take us back to Eskisehir! This is how our adventurous trip has ended :) It was incredible time with the Erasmus people.

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