"Malatya, Intro to the east" Malatya Ili by MadKiwiBeast

Well I spent too many days in Goreme, first being sick and then lazy so decided to take the bus to Malatya as I want to be in Iran in 10 days and running out of time. Was tired already as I didnt sleep much the night before and expected to sleep on the bus. They told me the bus would leave 6.30 from Goreme, change in Kayseri and on again at 10.30 to arrive Malatya at 6am. Got my tickets the day before and thought it was all in order...
But get to the bus depot and thankfully I went to ask if I needed to take the wheels off my bike and discovered they had forgot to give me one ticket and then discover the bus was ARRIVING 6.45pm Off to a good start already. About 10 to seven a bus to Kayseri arrived so I got on and about 7 we left. So far so good, until they checked the tickets and told me I was on with the wrong bus company and had to pay extra money. Was not happy. OK arrive Malatya and go to the ticket office I was told to go to and confirm my seat, turns out the bus leaves at 11.30. Damn more waiting and I just want to get on the bus and sleep, never mind dump the bags and go with my bike in search of something to do. See a big tourism agency and ask if they have a map but no, but this old taxi driver says he will take me for free to look at the town, I am already expecting the outcome will be countless demands for sex but decide to go anyway.
He doesnt even take me to town only the local alcohol shop and buys a bottle of Raki and we sit outside and I drink nearly the whole thing (it was only a small bottle). Like most Turkish men he thought one drink and I'd be on my back, so he was a bit upset when I finished the bottle and still refused all his advances and told him if he wasnt going to stop asking to please just take me back to the bus station, so depressed, he did. I was much happier with a bit of drink but still bored waiting at the platform they told me to wait at. 11.30 comes and goes. OK its Turkey but I start to wonder and ask again, they tell me to wait but then 5 minutes later come and get me and take me out on the main road and we wait another 5 minutes there. Yay finally on the bus but two guys behind me talk for a couple of hours and I cant sleep then we're stopping for toilet break. The whold trip I must have slept ½hour. Then they come to tell me we are arriving in Malatya and get my things ready. Horrified I realise it is only 5am and pitch black and the bus station is miles from anything. So standing alone on the street opposite the bus station I decide to park the bike in a nearby park, get out the sleeping bag and sleep till 8am. I am just starting to put my things away and Hello, 3 guys and a policemen demanding to know what I'm doing. Having just woken up and still tired and grumpy I refused to speak any Turkish, just told them the bus arived early so I went to sleep, what the problem?? 2 of the guys left after that and left the policeman to deal with this aggressive wee tramp on a bike. Turned out the cop was really nice, just lsughed and told me tamam (OK) So good morning Malatya....

Actually really enjoying the morning here, stopped at a petrol station to use the toilet and got invited for tea which was welcome. The people here seem really nice and friendly and so far a whole lot less sleazy men than the Kirsehir - Kayseri region but that remains to be seen... Toddled off to the museum, not like me at all but it was interesting Malatya has a VERY long history. So finish this hunt some food and I'm off direction the lakes and Elazig. EVERYBODY has told me not to bike further than that because the terrorist problems around Býngol and Mas so I'll listen and probaly train it to Van after that but they all assure me Maltya and Elazig are fine and it does appear so although there is a strong military presence here.