Muş – Elazig

1st September 2014      39℃        318km
Muş – Elazig

I rode out from Mus, trying to skirt around the areas where conflict with the Kurdish population has flared up over the past few weeks. The eastern part of Turkey has a large number of Kurds, who are fighting for an independent Kurdish state.

I passed a large number of military bases, often situated right on the road, where soldiers were stationed at arms, sitting behind weapons of large caliber. I always slowed right down when passing through, and tried to give them a wave, occasionally I’d get a reluctant wave back.

I stopped in a small village for a drink, and was greeted by a group of men and boys. They were very interested in all the flags on the bike, and one older guy asked which country I was travelling to next. He then asked, “Why are you not going to the country of Kurdistan?”
I showed him my map, and asked him to show me where Kurdistan was.
He responded with “Exactly!!! Where is our country!!!” He was very passionate about this point, almost tense, and I regretted my clumsy stumble into yet another political issue outside my understanding or ability to do anything about.

I powered on to the city of Elazig, and the very comfortable Marathon Hotel, for a good nights rest.