Morning Coffee
We woke up on the beach and noticed there were already some other folks enjoying the day. I got ready, found a shady spot, and started preparing coffee.
Work Time
After getting ready for the day, we pack up and head to the nearby Starbucks. This one is huge so we find a big table, plug in our devices, and get working. I have French class via Zoom and Selim writes some scripts to later film. This is the second day in a row we got Starbucks. I decided to perform an experiment to see if Selim could tell the difference between an Americano and a filter coffee. The day before, he had an Americano and this day, I ordered him a filter coffee. I asked him a few times how he liked it, if he thought it tasted the same as the day before, etc. He detected no substantial difference and actually said this one was more flavorful. He drinks it black without sugar so that wouldn’t be throwing off his senses.
Our Kitchen
When we camp in the middle of nowhere or take a break in a park, we have some privacy to cook and it’s no big deal. This day, the beach was super crowded and there weren’t any benches available in the shade. A little awkward as everyone was staring at me. Though on the positive side, a man gave me cardboard to block the wind when I was cooking and another let us borrow his table to enjoy our lunch. Here are the the components of our camp kitchen if you’re thinking of getting together yours:
- Orgaz Kamp Gaz (450 gram) + burner (250 TL total)
- 2 metal bowls (I don’t remember)
- 1 saucepan (50 TL)
- Utensils. I got a camping set from Decathlon that I love. (30 TL)
- 2 cups from Şok (4 TL each)
- 1 plastic cutting board (10 TL)
- 1 lighter from Şok (4 TL)
- 1 proper knife for cutting (free, Selim found it on a picnic bench!)
- 2 tupperware containers (12 TL, one for snacks, other for spices)
- 1 one-liter Nalgene bottle for water ($1 in thrift store in US. Thrift store = fripe)
- Bags
Pedaling Along Samsun’s Coast
After lunch, we pedaled for a bit along the Samsun coast. We passed miles and miles of people bathing and camping out on the beach.
Avoiding Mosquitos
That night, we found a campsite slightly off the beach in a more wooded area. Unfortunately, that meant a good number of mosquitos. Selim prepared Shakshuka and he ate while walking around to avoid getting stung. Wasn’t the most relaxing dinner but delicious per usual. The great thing about a tent, at least a fully-intact tent, is that it keeps mosquitos out. I love getting into the tent at night because it means I’m safe from bugs. We have a rule that we keep the tent door zipped whenever possible but especially careful at night. It’s also best not to camp next to sitting water as that’s where mosquitos like to hang out and reproduce.
After dinner, we got into the tent and watched an episode of Plan Coeur, a silly Netflix series. It’s such a luxury to watch a TV show in our tent 🙂
