The Neighbours

Beginning in April we began to see more activity in the village where we live.  People would arrive at their houses Friday or Saturday and leave again on Sunday.  Many overgrown yards were transformed literally overnight as a husband and wife and sometimes a local helper would scythe and mow.

Our neighbours on all three sides of us have arrived.  They have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome. A smile, a nod, or a wave go a long way when you don't share the language. However they have done more than that, bringing us plates of fruit off their trees and one lady made me a shawl!

There are some kids around now and more coming nearly every day.  We were in the water at the swim dock a week or so ago debating in English whether the water was deep enough to jump into, when a young fellow, sailed past us and dove into the water.  As he went by he said in perfect English, "It's deep enough to dive."  I wish someone had captured the look of shock on our faces with a photo.  We've made the mistake a few times of assuming we're surrounded by people who don't speak or understand our language.  Turns out this fellow, his sister and parents are here from Georgia, USA, visiting their Turkish relatives.

Not sure what kind of berries these are. They have a peculiar green taste.

Cherries off the tree in our neighbour's yard. 
The plate was heaped when we got it but I didn't get the camera out quickly enough!

The shawl Itan made for me.