Sunday relaxation - let your hair down Turkish-style

 

People in Turkey love picnics. They take every opportunity to go outside with family and friends, taking the samovar, all kinds of food, and maybe a small portable barbecue. They have a meal, drink endless glasses of tea, chat, might even take an instrument, and play music, but it’s very likely that they would burst into songs at one point.

Beyaz su (Ava Spî) is a very popular picnic spot in the Midyat area. It’s located at Sivrice (Dalîn) village between Midyat and Nusaybin, but people even from Mardin and Diyarbakir flock here for a relaxing day spent with chatting and music, eating freshly barbecued fish.

 

The picnic area itself is at the stream called Beyaz Su (Ava Spî). Its water is channelled so that it’s zigzagging through the whole picnic area. Benches with cushions are placed over the water, so you can listen to the soothing murmur of the water or cool yourself in the heat. Children are playing in the shallow parts and men may go for a swim in the ice-cold waters of the fast running stream itself.

You will surely see men or children playing the kemençe, a three-stringed violin reciting local songs. They might be playing just for themselves but it’s more likely that they go from bench to bench entertaining people and making an income. There is also a legend related to music: a shepherd at Batman dropped is pipe into the water and it reappeared in Beyaz Su.

 

When you go there, go to one of the restaurants serving freshly caught fish. The fish is cleaned, some spices are rubbed on it and then it’s put on the grill. What is a better way to cap off a nice and relaxing day than with a perfect meal?

And a last note. At the entrance of the picnic area, of course you fill find many stalls selling the usual scarves, sweets, carpets and …. stuffed animals. One of the most surprising sights we have encountered, which we haven’t really seen anywhere else. A strange fascination, but obviously these are selling well.