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RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

TURKISH BAZAARS AND MASSAGES 17th February 2010

We were allowed to sleep in until 10:00 this morning - wow!!!!! I was over the moon about the chance of sleeping a little later, but unfortunately, I woke up at 7:00 a, the time we have become used to.

Our workout this morning started with a swim in one of the hotel pools. I was glad we began with such light training, as my body is still tired from the game against Floya. We did some light swimming and stretching in the water before we moved on to more competitive hydrotherapy - team relay races. I don't want to brag. but my team ROCKED!!

The rest of the day was spent either tanning, sleeping, or in my case, doing homework. At 2:00pm, those that felt like it, took the bus into the local town, Antalya, for a couple of hours of shopping and sightseeing. This seemed like a good idea, but that was before I learned that it took an hour to get there. And, "there" was not downtown, but a street bazaar. We were expecting something a little different that could accommodate a friend who was traveling on crutches.

However, it was too late, and we stayed in town until 5:00 pm. I enjoyed watching my teammates attempt to haggle and barter over prices. For the most part I watched. I did think about buying a few things, but the jean vendor offended me by suggesting I look in the stretch section of his jeans supply. Then, the t-shirt vendor threatened to up the price of a t-shirt I was considering, if I didn't make up my mind faster. I don't think being sensitive is a good thing in the back streets of a Turkish bazaar.

The shopping trip was also notable because of the many hotels we passed on the way there. I had thought that our hotel was unique in its "over-the-top" insane architecture. But, I was very wrong. The whole way into Antalya we passed by massive, sprawling hotels, each with its won "over-the-top" theme. I would have to say that the most … shocking was the Hotel Titanic, what the heck?

Tonight was spent relaxing and eating. A few of us also signed up to have a massage at the hotel. I really can't believe I did this, but Turkey is famous for "Turkish massages" isn't it? My masseuse was a little more intense then I would have chosen, but she did an excellent job. I have to admit though, that I was a little shocked when she got up on the table with me and started crawling all over my back - yikes! Hopefully the benefits of said massage will be in full force tomorrow when we start up serious training again at 7:00 am.