Turkey’s earliest wheat harvest begins in villages around the Çukurova region of Adana province. When crops are ready, harvesters take to the roads, seeking their livelihoods throughout Anatolia. (PHOTO AA)
8 July 2012 / BÜNYAMIN KÖSELI, ADANA
There is a bit of excitement as well as melancholy present in the air at the Haylazlı home of Refik Dallı; this experienced man finishes some last-minute packing and loads his bags into his vehicle.
Spare parts for his combine are placed in a trailer. Dallı doesn’t forget to pack a tea set, food items and, of course, a watermelon for the road. In a few hours, the combine and vehicle will be on the road, headed for Eskişehir. In the meantime, Seyhan Hanım, Dallı’s wife, is quite worried; after all, this time of year means she will be on her own, separated from her husband and son, for two months. As for Dallı, he is relaxed, having spent his life on the roads this way.
Before setting out, he pulls a knife out from the folds of his shalwar and cuts some slices of watermelon for his beloved geese. He smiles as he watches them eat up the watermelon, hungrily as can be. He then bids farewell to his wife and, saying “bismillah” (in the name of God) under his breath, gets on his trusty combine and heads out onto the roads of Anatolia. This is how the first few minutes of a long and difficult journey begin.....
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