Narrated by: Metehan Can, 2016
We were in our third year of university, well adapted to both the university and the city we were living in. My friend Cihat Sarıca and I were working part-time jobs to save some pocket money. Both of us had plans to buy motorcycles, and over time, we saved about six thousand TL each. We bought the motorcycles we wanted, and it was approaching summer 2016. After touring many tourist spots in Denizli, we set out for Lübbe Village in İzmir's Ödemiş district, a place often associated with horror stories.
We arrived in the village at 9:30 PM. It was hard to keep track of time in this small paradise. While wandering around the village, we encountered historical houses, hills covered in greenery, and paths along the riverbank. The sky was dark, and it was pouring rain, so we took refuge in a mosque. It was cold, so we lit the stove in the mosque to keep warm and fell asleep there that night. When the time for the morning prayer came, the imam entered and woke us up.
"Welcome," he said, waking us up. After introducing ourselves and explaining where we came from, he kindly brought us breakfast. After a while, we started exploring the village. We met the villagers, whose warm smiles and sincerity showed us how different and peaceful village life could be. We tasted local delicacies and savored traditional dishes. Lübbe Village showed us that it was not only a place to buy a motorcycle but also a great spot to escape the chaos of city life and be in touch with nature.
After meeting the friendly villagers and enjoying the beautiful atmosphere, we decided to explore the village more closely. Early in the morning, we started touring the historical houses and small shops in the village square. Many houses were in disrepair, but this only preserved the village’s history and authenticity.
While chatting with the villagers, we learned that many had migrated from here and the population had decreased. This small village, predominantly inhabited by retired people, was surrounded by abandoned cemeteries and neglected areas. Many graves had collapsed due to neglect and were reclaimed by nature. Foxes and martens had made these neglected cemeteries their shelters.
The isolated lifestyle in the village and nature's reclamation made us think about how valuable escaping city life’s hustle and adopting a simple lifestyle could be. Spending time in a peaceful and serene environment, immersed in nature, reminded us once again of the importance of stepping away from city stress.
As evening approached, we gathered with the villagers at the village coffee house to chat over tea. We mustered the courage to ask if there was any truth to the horror stories associated with Lübbe Village in films and tales. The villagers looked at each other in surprise and then responded with a laugh. An elderly villager said, "There is nothing to fear here. Yes, the village is old and neglected, but that’s just the natural result of time. The horror stories are just tales we tell on dark nights."
Another villager added, "We don't have the noise, chaos, and tension of city life here. We just live a simple life. The horror stories exist only in our legends and imaginations."
We chatted with the villagers about some interesting and mysterious events from the past, but they viewed these events not as frightening but merely as intriguing memories. The silence and sounds of nature at night in the village might have inspired horror films, but the reality of the villagers' lives offered a completely different atmosphere.
The warm welcome from the villagers and their relaxed attitude toward these mysterious events highlighted that Lübbe Village stood out not only for its natural beauty but also for the peaceful atmosphere of village life. After leaving the coffee house, we walked under the stars in the village square, soaking in the silence and peace of the village, and spent an unforgettable night.
After spending unforgettable days in Lübbe Village, we got on our motorcycles and left the village. As we slowly made our way from the village’s stony roads toward the city, we thought about the natural beauty we were leaving behind. The warm people of the village, the peaceful atmosphere, and the time filled with mysterious events had given us new perspectives.
During our journey back to Denizli, we spent time recounting our experiences in the village. As we got closer to the city, the fields, mountains, and forests were gradually replaced by concrete buildings. However, the peace within us and the beautiful memories of the village helped lighten the chaos of city life a little.
When we arrived in Denizli, we parked our motorcycles and smiled at each other before parting ways. The days we spent in Lübbe Village had been a wonderful opportunity not only to buy motorcycles but also to experience the beauty of nature and the tranquility of village life. This short escape had inspired us to step away from the fast pace of city life and feel the embracing atmosphere of nature. Although we had returned to Denizli, the memories of our time in Lübbe Village and the pleasant moments we shared with the villagers had become an unforgettable adventure that would accompany us throughout our lives.
0 Comments