European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 26, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Antalya intriguing seaport offers glimpse of turkish life the Harbor of Antalya with the City behind it. Antalya is the commercial and agricultural Hub for the Region that produces Cotton Citrus and fresh Effie Bathen staff writer the turkish shuttle bus honks its Way through a Green Light and a Rush of people and autos filling the streets of Antalya. For Many touring the Turquoise coast that is one of the first things they see when they visit this Mediterranean port City. The Hogar or bus depot is one of the next. The air is filled with the smell of diesel exhaust and the voices of Young boys shouting out destinations or waving cards and arms to solicit fares. Izmir. Ankara. Alanya. And an endless list of Many in Between. Businessmen tourist and locals make their Way through the contusion of buses and shuttles called in muses. Quot when will you leave Quot they ask. Right now right now Quot comes the answer from those leaning out of the doors. But now seems to include just enough time for a Tew children to peddle baked Rolls or sequined scarves. And a Mother to Send her Young daughter into the aisle holding out her empty hand for a oin or two. The Otogoro somehow captures a part of what makes a visit to a turkish Cit so fascinating. It is enterprising and Dusty. Colourful and rustic. 1 threatening Anil intriguing. Antalya is the commercial and agricultural Hub for the Region that produces Cotton Citrus and fresh vegetables. During most of the tourist season the City of 270,000 doubles in population. It s Likely that rapid development and the addition of a posh new Sheraton hotel to the Skyline will increase that trend. It is Little wonder that crossing a Street is such a Challenge. Shiny yellow Nissan topped with the signs Tarsi Fly by. Many women wearing scarves and Billowy pants tote babies in cloth slings. Others Wear modern dress. An occasional turkish Soldier in Crisp Green fatigues walks among them. So do students a the boys in Slacks and shirts the girls in uniform jumpers. Sometimes men Are seen walking Arm in Arm but following the Muslim tradition Man and wife do not publicly display such affection. Shops Are everywhere. In darkened Alley bazaars to shirt shops sell tops with names like Gucci Benetton and Esprit embroidered on them for the equivalent of about $ it. A sweat shirt marked w Ith the diesel logo goes for about $20. Portable Shoeshine stands appear in nooks anywhere. Aggressive polishers smear polish on your shoes Tor approval leaving of no Choice but to pay them to Sinoh the Job. One of their scams is then to demand an outrageous Price that Max Een exceed the original Price of the shoes. Shops also sell leather carpets and Gold and Gold and More Gold. Small cards written in English in the windows set the prices 14 Carat 17 German Marks about $111 per Gram 18 Carat 20 German Marks. The Street Sar Ampol leads from the Dow n to the Harbor and the old Quarter. The City s landmark fluted minaret Yilli minaret Points out a Square by one of the main mosques. The slim column is a Monument irom the Rule of a 13th-Century seljuk Sultan. As in All cities it is easy to stumble upon the unexpected. On our recent visit police were seen temporarily blocking a Street by the Square for hundreds of people gathered for a furs Al. The crowd lifted Large Flower and foil wreaths above their Heads. Then the deceased s coffin covered with a Green cloth Rose on a sea of arms and a procession snaked away through the City. A few Steps away life and Commerce continued m the narrow streets of the old Quarter. Yoi a p Rug merchants called out to those who a i. By. On. Ator w As greeted with Quot Bonjour. Whert re you come from Quot a route "bye-bye1&Quot might not be enough to Are them aside. Quot see you later Alligator Quot came the Good nut a a stripes new go me november 26, 1992
