Today, Wednesday Nov.12th, is my last day of my retreat.  I have spent eight glorious days doing nothing more than taking care of myself.  I take my Chinese medicinal drink, have my breakfast, meditate, check email etc., bathe in the hot red water, take a stroll, shop, eat, and sleep.  I feel so very rejuvenated.  I love it here because I can do what I want, when I want.  There is no communal bathing pool, no organized meals, no clinic, and no organized schedule.  I love to sit out here on the terrace with the sun on my face.  The thoughts of returning to Canada with the temps falling below zero sure is a downer.

This pension reminds me of the Kabli in Delhi, in that it is family run,  safe, and comfortable.  Also, the women here have started taking to me.  Most now say hello and one even comes to sit on my terrace from time to time.  At the Kabli, however, I had people to talk to because usually the sons brought their moms or dads from Afghanistan for medical treatment in Delhi, and could speak English (learned from the troops).  Here there is no English, but that is actually a good thing because it leaves me free to take care of me, and that is exactly what I came on this trip for.

Tomorrow Nihat and Sadiye are driving down from Tire.  They will spend one night here and then the plan is to drive to Didim to visit with Sami and Sermin.  I am holding my breath that this truly does happen because I really want to go there.

It is just after twelve now, and I haven't yet bathed….getting too relaxed, do you think?  I had better get with the program because I return to the real world tomorrow.