In Turkey’s South Aegean, especially in Bodrum, September has a different meaning: “Yellow Summer”, as they call it

In Turkey’s South Aegean region and especially in Bodrum, September has a completely different meaning: “Yellow Summer”, as they call it. What does “Yellow Summer” mean? Below article, superbly written by Devrim Devecioğlu tell us what locals mean when they say “Yellow Summer” has arrived.

“Well, we cannot refer to a fixed date or something. Since you would not hear a knock on your door, everyone’s calendar would be different really. However, it is said to usually fall somewhere between the middle of September and the middle of October. On the other hand, “How many weeks it lasts” also varies from year to year. So, what is it like, you may ask?

One could describe it like “It is unexplained happiness”… For example, it was just three or five days ago; I said, “I think this is it,” “It’s here.” On the side of our terrace facing the road, there are rows of electric wires between the trees. Every April and September, a mini “swallow convention” is held there. I’ve witnessed this many times. They gather in the afternoon and communicate for a long time. The meetings last about a week, and then they’re gone! I noticed that on the day when the sun started to set again, they came and chirped in the same place. It’s the first time since April…

Just as I was watching them, my eyes were drawn to the clouds this time. This is also considered one of the signs of Yellow Summer; scattered, pure white cotton clouds on the Bodrum blue…

And when they pass by from above, it’s as if with them, the dome of the sky has risen, our roof has opened, and all the things coming at us will go out from that opening. What a refreshing feeling… One notices however, the weather is still warm, but for the first time in months, you’re not sweating. The sun is still up there, but it’s just gently warming you up…

The buzzing of cars, the hum of air conditioners, the weight of human crowds… None of it is there. All foreign sounds have receded, and even the air seems to absorb and erase the tranquility. You can even hear a distant rooster crowing. There’s no need to run, escape, do, say, hear, nothing is needed…

So, you just stand there listening to the rooster. And a spontaneous sentence comes out of your mouth: “Life is so sweet…”

For me, when the weather makes you say that in the South Aegean, Yellow Summer has arrived, but the old Bodrum locals say, “No, you need a bit more.” There are even those who say, “First, it will cool down, maybe rain a little, then it will appear.” When Yellow Summer arrives, it won’t knock three times for sure; it’s difficult to say anything for sure, but we know it’s just around the corner.

Days when we can create all sorts of excuses, small moments to say “Life is so sweet,” and a weather that excessively supports and assists us in this endeavor is waiting for us very close by.”

With our sincere thanks to Devrim Devecioğlu (dsevimay@gmail.com)
Original article published in Turkish on GAZETEOKSIJEN.com, translated and edited by BTT