STAYING in a Turkish home is far more rewarding than a beach holiday.

I joined 11 members of the Greater Manchester Friendship Force for a home stay in Ankara.

Most of the time I shared the apartment of Ercan and Ayla Alguner and their sons aged 21 and 20. The boys even took me to a robot race at their University.

Their Friendship Force took us to the Mausoleum of Mustafa Ataturk, the “saviour” of Turkey who introduced the Latin alphabet and introduced women’s rights. He is still revered all over the country,

On the day of our visit the heavily guarded president of Northern Cyprus was there to lay a wreath.

Turkey is a secular country and the ladies wear modern, Western-style clothes.

Nevertheless, five times a day, we heard the Imam calling the faithful to prayer.

The highlight was our visit to Gulen Pakoglu school where 14-year-old girls clad in blue national costumes, danced for us in the sunny playground.

After watching little ones finger paint, I sat at a traditional desk and helped a 10-year-old with his schoolwork. I even got one question right.

Our hosts couldn’t do enough for us both individually and as a group.

They laid on a welcome meal in a restaurant followed by dancing to a typical Oud player and violinist.

Their farewell was an open air brunch overlooking a lake,

On the way back, we joined in an 80th birthday party. None of the guests spoke English but invited us to eat three Cornish style pasties with a yoghurt drink followed by birthday cake and a loud rendering of Happy Birthday.

This truly was a Turkish delight.

* Anyone interested in finding out more about the Friendship force should call 0161 707 1001 or visit manchester.friendshipforce.org.uk