Amasya - totally worth it

Get into Amasya about 6 in the morning after having a few hours sleep. Find a hotel and book a room for the night. I wonder briefly if they're going to charge me for the rest of this morning and tonight as two separate nights, but for now I just want a bed.

The night receptionist is the weirdest Turk I've met yet. After giving me my room he kisses me on both cheeks and hugs me. I'm all for friendlyness but this seems a little much. Shortly after this he follows me into the bathroom while I'm taking a piss and gives me a pair of sandals.

At this point I feel I would be completely justified in getting the hell out, but a combination of instinct and tiredness convinces me to stay. He is odd, but I think he is harmless. In any case, he is about two-thirds my size and three times older than me. I back myself to be okay if things get worse.

I sleep with the key in the lock and keep my passport on me today.

By the time I get up it's mid morning. I go for a walk and orientate myself before heading up to look at some ancient tombs. They are mostrously huge, visible from miles away. Even the graffiti doesn't make them any less impressive.

The tombs are scattered over a rocky hillside so I climb about for a bit. I find a narrow rail track heading up the hill so I follow it. At the top I meet five Turks who I take to be miners.

This is why Turkey is great; in the UK there's no way I'd have got anywhere near a working site like that, and if I did I'd be shooed away pretty quickly. In contrast, these guys greet me and offer me a cup of tea. Despite no common language they tell be they are archaeologists working for the museum, digging deep into the hillside (down a tunnel not visible from below) looking for Roman and Byzantium artifacts. Once we hear thunder they put me in the mine cart and send me back down the hillside, so I won't have to climb. Turks are amazing.

I walk a long way round to visit the Citadel which has a fantastic view of Amasya, and walk along a country road for a bit. Back in town, I have me first mixed grill of the month - I'm slightly surprised by how long it's taken me, but with all the kebabs on offer it makes sense. When I get back to the hostel the weird guy takes an extra 10 bucks off me. I'm not too surprised. Well, moving on again tomorrow.