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Elderly man living in cave due to love for nature in Turkey’s Mersin
Elderly man living in cave due to love for nature in Turkey’s Mersin
A 64-year-old man has been living in a cave in the historical and touristic Kızkalesi neighborhood of the Mediterranean province of Mersin’s Silifke district. (DHA Photo)
Although his residence is registered in a nursing home, Zekai Fırat has preferred to live in the cave for the past 15 years for his love for nature.
He makes a living by selling plants he collects from nature or the garlic, asparagus and black beet he grows in the field he calls home.
“I can live in a nursing home, but I don’t want to. Because I want to produce here. Without doing sports and just living in a room will only shorten my life,” he said.
After locals notified municipality authorities that he was living there, they went to the cave where he lives to help him.
But after seeing him happy there, they decided to give him food parcel and promised to improve his living conditions.
Vedat Uzunbağ, the nearby Erdemli district’s municipality coordinator, said, “We are with Brother Zekai. When we are delivering food parcels, we show special attention to those in need. We learned that he was also in need. So, we are with him. We will look how he will improve his life quality or how we can leave a mark on his life.”
Fırat thanked them, saying, “It is not where you live, but how you live is important. I can’t live anywhere else. I have to be alone. Life is beautiful when you are in nature. I can’t stand places full of people. It can be a mountain side. Only three-four trees are enough for me. Fresh air is good for people’s health,” he added.
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