tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14989474236311465302024-02-07T09:53:40.923-08:00Journey To TurkeyThis website serves to promote awareness of Turkish history and culture.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-33993700946928870672017-03-14T11:56:00.000-07:002017-03-14T08:10:39.932-07:00Turkey Fellowship<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_TzhXqi7xVToGqZlRRNcU47pJhEhQPNbNtD-oYyAx75SvDiZncVz9hNR5fxGGsSQicry7vExB2sv4D6pXPU-N3azA3HzgZCDMmKx4JeKCSf4mQAixH6ySljwZL6VsCIlwmFBY8SWmvvq/s1600-h/Turkey+flag.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061246992627607810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_TzhXqi7xVToGqZlRRNcU47pJhEhQPNbNtD-oYyAx75SvDiZncVz9hNR5fxGGsSQicry7vExB2sv4D6pXPU-N3azA3HzgZCDMmKx4JeKCSf4mQAixH6ySljwZL6VsCIlwmFBY8SWmvvq/s200/Turkey+flag.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
In the summer of 2007, Ms. Avery journeyed to Turkey with 20 educators from around the country as part of a Turkey Fellowship made possible through a grant from the Turkish Foundation in cooperation with The World Affairs Council of Connecticut and Yale PIER Institute. I was selected through a highly competitive process and will be a part of a four member Connecticut delegation of educators participating in this 17 day Fellowship, July 25th through the 10th of August.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhoQJu5boJISyMS8mgKpIV4zHJzpLpr65pb7eQnffZUixwXcMGMWjn-tejk0qXcW144GCNjQvYKo-rWOm4LHpLkNomVdFSo-Fcl5Lwoo0WHcCh9EqQsMQIX4EpAgm1mzQroL4xiVIgvJ1/s1600-h/Turkey+map.jpg"></a><br />
Following the study tour I will be leading in workshops open to the public through Yale PIER on Turkey and I will also be sharing all that I learned with my students and fellow teachers. I am so looking forward to it!! So stay tuned because there's more to come!Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-78206390906854174032017-03-13T04:01:00.000-07:002017-03-14T08:12:20.457-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznO4Cok6b9f5fL8biqZMZrwwC0f9rTx7BLvPnzbtx6BUgWN7vjOP9GojdB0Bpl9A-j4xoU8HhqvrYABBAKuLuELnKUeszKo9kQVIsZUa6A-6UcX_zawspdewEEZtb9lHM6B4FIMd-f7J-/s1600-h/trmap2-eu.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089335610450094802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznO4Cok6b9f5fL8biqZMZrwwC0f9rTx7BLvPnzbtx6BUgWN7vjOP9GojdB0Bpl9A-j4xoU8HhqvrYABBAKuLuELnKUeszKo9kQVIsZUa6A-6UcX_zawspdewEEZtb9lHM6B4FIMd-f7J-/s200/trmap2-eu.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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My Turkey adventure is set to begin soon...Below are some facts about Turkey:<br /><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital" title="Capital"><span style="color: black;">Capital</span></a><span style="color: black;">-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankara" title="Ankara"><span style="color: black;">Ankara</span></a> </li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Turkey" title="Demographics of Turkey"><span style="color: black;">Largest city</span></a><span style="color: black;">- </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul" title="Istanbul"><span style="color: black;">Istanbul</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_language" title="Official language"><span style="color: black;">Official languages</span></a><span style="color: black;">-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_language" title="Turkish language"><span style="color: black;">Turkish</span></a></li>
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<li><span style="color: black;">Ethnic divisions: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20%, (Laz, Hemsin, Armenians and Others)</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black;">Religions: </span><a href="http://www.allaboutturkey.com/islam.htm#muslim"><span style="color: black;">Muslim</span></a><span style="color: black;"> 99% (mostly </span><a href="http://www.allaboutturkey.com/siisunni.htm#sunni"><span style="color: black;">Sunni</span></a><span style="color: black;">), other 1% (</span><a href="http://www.allaboutturkey.com/hristiyan.htm"><span style="color: black;">Christian</span></a><span style="color: black;"> and </span><a href="http://www.allaboutturkey.com/jews.htm"><span style="color: black;">Jews</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span> </li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government" title="Government"><span style="color: black;">Government</span></a><span style="color: black;">-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system" title="Parliamentary system"><span style="color: black;">Parliamentary</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic" title="Republic"><span style="color: black;">republic</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Turkey" title="President of Turkey"><span style="color: black;">President</span></a><span style="color: black;">-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmet_Necdet_Sezer" title="Ahmet Necdet Sezer"><span style="color: black;">Ahmet Necdet Sezer</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prime_Ministers_of_Turkey" title="List of Prime Ministers of Turkey"><span style="color: black;">Prime Minister</span></a><span style="color: black;">-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan" title="Recep Tayyip Erdoğan"><span style="color: black;">Recep Tayyip Erdoğan</span></a></li>
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<li><span style="color: black;">Turkey is the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partitioning_of_the_Ottoman_Empire" title="Partitioning of the Ottoman Empire"><span style="color: black;">Succession</span></a><span style="color: black;"> to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire" title="Ottoman Empire"><span style="color: black;">Ottoman Empire</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_War_of_Independence" title="Turkish War of Independence"><span style="color: black;">War of Independence</span></a><span style="color: black;">-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_19" title="May 19"><span style="color: black;">May 19</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1919" title="1919"><span style="color: black;">1919</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black;">Declaration of Republic-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_29" title="October 29"><span style="color: black;">October 29</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923" title="1923"><span style="color: black;">1923</span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black;">Total Area-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_E11_m%C2%B2" title="1 E11 m²"><span style="color: black;">783,562 km²</span></a><span style="color: black;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_area" title="List of countries and outlying territories by area"><span style="color: black;">37th</span></a><span style="color: black;">) 302,535 </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_mile" title="Square mile"><span style="color: black;">sq mi</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population" title="Population"><span style="color: black;">Population</span></a><span style="color: black;">-71,158,647 (17th)</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black;">Total </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product" title="Gross domestic product"><span style="color: black;">GDP</span></a><span style="color: black;"> -$708.053 billion (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29" title="List of countries by GDP (PPP)"><span style="color: black;">16th</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_capita" title="Per capita"><span style="color: black;">Per capita</span></a><span style="color: black;"> Income-$9,628 (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29_per_capita" title="List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita"><span style="color: black;">66th</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></li>
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<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency" title="Currency"><span style="color: black;">Currency</span></a><span style="color: black;">- </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_new_lira" title="Turkish new lira"><span style="color: black;">New Turkish Lira</span></a><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-32202341012679588612017-03-12T13:27:00.000-07:002017-03-14T08:18:36.869-07:00The Bosporous Has A Soul<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kIsIGTZD5kGWo302Ikk1JLoSEyHF3Yymu-NOtjDVhfIsdj1kB_zR-sTykyEP_gYI-fN8SnrGS8f8PQsaLRWtSx7NbMAfAb2XMl6D4kmIVZvIvBrY6GShAvZk17aK8o3fShMVza0sElyX/s1600-h/IMG_3284.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091991844787086002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kIsIGTZD5kGWo302Ikk1JLoSEyHF3Yymu-NOtjDVhfIsdj1kB_zR-sTykyEP_gYI-fN8SnrGS8f8PQsaLRWtSx7NbMAfAb2XMl6D4kmIVZvIvBrY6GShAvZk17aK8o3fShMVza0sElyX/s200/IMG_3284.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Today is our first full day in Istanbul and we began our very full day with a visit to the Spice Bazaar, where we found all sorts of fresh <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8E0HqJ2AwWB8fXPWkf4mqhn815rJQu-yZQI8kXLRunltKd823vOsf58ccpQFOWI6t39Sy7LJWDhukhm5glKDP4yeSpAbti2CyMdaXk1LegDjbwo9zVJCNnL1ZA7N7DmFz6tWqRgK7qg5/s1600-h/IMG_3273.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091992278578782914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8E0HqJ2AwWB8fXPWkf4mqhn815rJQu-yZQI8kXLRunltKd823vOsf58ccpQFOWI6t39Sy7LJWDhukhm5glKDP4yeSpAbti2CyMdaXk1LegDjbwo9zVJCNnL1ZA7N7DmFz6tWqRgK7qg5/s200/IMG_3273.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>spices, sacks of henna, many varieties of oils and herbs and of course the world's very best Turkish delight. Afterwards we visited Robert College, a private high school founded by Americans. This prestigious high school is the number one high school in all of Turkey and graduates of this school go on to attend the best Turkish <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhPyfqTRiJAw2cO3oTkI0I91fniSrIQwyY2vA-8xmsJyqCrRT3Ii2W9JiiMukErkxGmR1RJDK7dysTSJclrcD_Nd-G1cDtfksf7ByQsghZ26U_Wg3EJpaqKTlS0caEbfgt5DWpKp5X0li/s1600-h/IMG_3310.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091992768205054674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhPyfqTRiJAw2cO3oTkI0I91fniSrIQwyY2vA-8xmsJyqCrRT3Ii2W9JiiMukErkxGmR1RJDK7dysTSJclrcD_Nd-G1cDtfksf7ByQsghZ26U_Wg3EJpaqKTlS0caEbfgt5DWpKp5X0li/s200/IMG_3310.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Universities as well as top universities in the US and Europe.<br />
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The remainder of the morning we had the ride of a lifetime-an incredible cruise along the Bosporous. The views took my breath away. At that moment I realized that I was in Istanbul, the city that is the crossroads of Europe and Asia. And this great waterway is its heart and its the soul. It breathes today with a life force that has existed for thousands of years, as man, vessels, goods and ideas have passed through this waterway. Along its banks lie opulent palaces, fine mosques, fortresses and traditional wooden Ottoman mansions. Orhan Oamuk, Turkey's most famous poet wrote of the Bosphorus, " To be traveling through the middle of a<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOYI3B4aqew5x1bIkU5QQp4nQa7egEbryrpuiCXMa1J25sXA0whLXYDdtADpodbOXaOVUsfVhhYrb_j40qtc94z83G9t-gg6_ukN2-t5lUIw9nXNmf4ltvqXGbANoMlv4RbrWPkiEgT8m/s1600-h/IMG_3383.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091993348025639650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOYI3B4aqew5x1bIkU5QQp4nQa7egEbryrpuiCXMa1J25sXA0whLXYDdtADpodbOXaOVUsfVhhYrb_j40qtc94z83G9t-gg6_ukN2-t5lUIw9nXNmf4ltvqXGbANoMlv4RbrWPkiEgT8m/s200/IMG_3383.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> city as great....and historic as Istanbul, and yet feel the freedom of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCXognk4awJpBfBgDZ5ZSSwggKCxon9bj7sIQCUnSdaFICdwTZrgF104rw0av6WC_-qexLUKg9mTmjiEVUAG1FRybXZToQIPlo1b38bIbTM0pZxr4BRwy6b9U1aKwYdCk45sPv-6q2vOI/s1600-h/IMG_3410.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091997101827056370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCXognk4awJpBfBgDZ5ZSSwggKCxon9bj7sIQCUnSdaFICdwTZrgF104rw0av6WC_-qexLUKg9mTmjiEVUAG1FRybXZToQIPlo1b38bIbTM0pZxr4BRwy6b9U1aKwYdCk45sPv-6q2vOI/s200/IMG_3410.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>open sea-that is the thrill of a trip along the Bosphorus."<br />
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In the afternoon, we visited the seaside neighborhood of Kuzguncuk and there we toured three houses of worship, a Sephardic Temple, an Armenian Orthodox Church and a Greek Orthodox Church. These places underscore Istanbul's long history of religious tolerance, where Christians, Jews and Muslims have lived together in peace and mutual respect. Today the Kozguncuk neighborhood is still cultural mosaic of Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Turkish communities.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-31485151902089192422017-03-12T13:05:00.000-07:002017-03-14T08:13:03.595-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYSC-oq9qH3mtamneN9kZt2w6gN1S_bFCdUUrraTt_uVOdnTcN1LBkvnZphJxvlvYviEaIPm96-taxwOwb7s6J3OhjasqUAUdnaoaxo5ghoU-JX6Bd_4NK_Vye0J7HZQy8faRQhVyIZeI/s1600-h/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+016.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091607638487622258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYSC-oq9qH3mtamneN9kZt2w6gN1S_bFCdUUrraTt_uVOdnTcN1LBkvnZphJxvlvYviEaIPm96-taxwOwb7s6J3OhjasqUAUdnaoaxo5ghoU-JX6Bd_4NK_Vye0J7HZQy8faRQhVyIZeI/s200/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+016.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsyKTrvmuC4leEGEFZfNcQRshQtro85yxcuvSflAioWdZ_H1wUU5n8sqQjG-SkQoHSJaUqSrfXQBXaQhcGWx5-B8V-LO0Pmisy0jlQY2aiZrphEkm7FmKE_MtdJRQ5WgXTw8UHyHT6tBO/s1600-h/IMG_3260.JPG"></a> Greetings from Istanbul!! We've finally arrived after a 9 hour journey. I puddle jump compared to the 15 hour journey to Korea earlier this summer. We're staying in the Arcadia Hotel overlooking the Blue Mosque and the Bosporous Strait. Today, after pick-up at the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3Kh151hHPXzlyzDqD-Vp1Ok_ajWVoAz_lyrLmQJr0By8mt3AAv9D2tdDk5Dtq_o4Q8Y-P12Yi0N-7-9RNgPXRgVaALvKRPFaaI0jlwqkqYQ5tYQAIM8hEvElEyPHvLI1KsZFimrUlScP/s1600-h/IMG_3269.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091604705024959010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3Kh151hHPXzlyzDqD-Vp1Ok_ajWVoAz_lyrLmQJr0By8mt3AAv9D2tdDk5Dtq_o4Q8Y-P12Yi0N-7-9RNgPXRgVaALvKRPFaaI0jlwqkqYQ5tYQAIM8hEvElEyPHvLI1KsZFimrUlScP/s200/IMG_3269.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>airport we check in at our hotel we all gathered atop the hotel terrace and had a brief orientation from our tour guide, Serhan. With a bit of time afterwards, Megan, Program <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pBH1gTAVi9MeAK6fSxXLjNlhP3uwBeoiCu8EoZnuxjzCsXDE3HhgO3PkXlin-LbO-npmMUQte4UBvemLEUVfgUQJj55XZBXZwjZwBiMYdAG3QvADXdEaub-ILgmd3wj82gAtp_80GPnW/s1600-h/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+017.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091605495298941506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pBH1gTAVi9MeAK6fSxXLjNlhP3uwBeoiCu8EoZnuxjzCsXDE3HhgO3PkXlin-LbO-npmMUQte4UBvemLEUVfgUQJj55XZBXZwjZwBiMYdAG3QvADXdEaub-ILgmd3wj82gAtp_80GPnW/s200/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+017.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Director at the World Affairs of CT and fellow CT teacher Susan and I had a coffee at the store down the street. It was the first taste of Istanbul for us. Then we made our way to the quant sea-side neighborhood of Oratky, to the Cinaralti Restaurant. We had a <em>mese</em> plate of<em> dumas</em> (stuffed grape leaves), humus, and artichoke heart, followed by a lamb shiskabe and a dessert of sweets and<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tl6ZdGfG9lnC1K7F-j3-9As9LElTrmmM5BPJPo7Sn0QHRtWz_UrIq-M0vvV8EqNWJauhcWrSIVVQpXCVzJOgsXRdvtDX-slZEbwz-kJ84PHwliq56pSAJU3u5CoZpyvFy0UBMMxPInkx/s1600-h/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091606818148868690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tl6ZdGfG9lnC1K7F-j3-9As9LElTrmmM5BPJPo7Sn0QHRtWz_UrIq-M0vvV8EqNWJauhcWrSIVVQpXCVzJOgsXRdvtDX-slZEbwz-kJ84PHwliq56pSAJU3u5CoZpyvFy0UBMMxPInkx/s200/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+008.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> fruit. Delicious! My friend Susan and I walked the main square around our hotel after dinner and took photos of the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sophia at night. We just heard the final moon up call to prayer outside our hotel window and now it's off to bed for a full day <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWB23Wf0lP_GJsuLQQBwLUhQ_4HHNSWuTzz28U7IX28yXLQNjKNz_1B8Zw7QPi4IBroFMBtuLdS8_5Xk5oqnbsJh3qZKpRTiuOovhHw7diILv3dsq9tBRyBzP9Lk6evSXfYjjegzL38Ep/s1600-h/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091608089459188354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWB23Wf0lP_GJsuLQQBwLUhQ_4HHNSWuTzz28U7IX28yXLQNjKNz_1B8Zw7QPi4IBroFMBtuLdS8_5Xk5oqnbsJh3qZKpRTiuOovhHw7diILv3dsq9tBRyBzP9Lk6evSXfYjjegzL38Ep/s200/Sue's+Turkey+Photos+004.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>tomorrow!Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-32786455847504100962017-03-11T14:21:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:23:11.689-07:00A Day in "Old Istanbul"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq8EDLB6E2Np54pf99B0lOqRjvuOGkzpsW_fHkzbH4aYzSRIKGmWBkj88voumbtuK7PuUHqPkfKSGDHdIOro2Zj6nROULKkfLE2YwDe-Ofw8KtrJF2Ij-5l7BQmD1vRlGvsSrulQuem2I/s1600-h/IMG_3550.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093474793915179922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq8EDLB6E2Np54pf99B0lOqRjvuOGkzpsW_fHkzbH4aYzSRIKGmWBkj88voumbtuK7PuUHqPkfKSGDHdIOro2Zj6nROULKkfLE2YwDe-Ofw8KtrJF2Ij-5l7BQmD1vRlGvsSrulQuem2I/s200/IMG_3550.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Today we spent the day touring the Sultanahmet district in Istanbul. Sultanahmet is the neighborhood standing right on top of the ancient Byzantium settlement. The area is very easily maneuvered on foot, and having been fortunate enough to stay in the Arcadia Hotel located right in the Sultanahmet district, made for a memorable last day here in Istanbul.<br />
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The <strong>Hippodrome</strong> was the center of Byzantine life for 1000 years and Ottoman life for another 400. It was the center of Byzantium’s political and social life, a place for gathering and discussion and debate for the residents of the city. The Sultan’s ruled from their palaces while the hippodrome was the place that belonged to the people. Political parties were formed here and chariot races were often conducted between teams. Victorius charioteers might even have effects on political policy. Many a Sultan kept a watchful eye over the events in the Hippodrome, discontent was observed here as it could signal the beginnings of riot, demonstrations and revolution. In the northern corner of the Hippodrome is the Kaiser Wilhelm Fountain, presented as a token of friendship from the German keiser to the Turkish Sultan as a token of friendship. In the center of the Hippodrome is the Obelisk of Theodosius. The emperor Theodosius had this Egyptian obelisk brought to Constantinople in AD 390. Next to that is a bronze spiral column that once had three serpent heads atop. It was made by the Greeks from melted Persian war helmets to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians. It was brought to Constantinople by Constantine in AD 330. Finally on the southern end of the Hippodrome is the Rough-Stone Obelisk that once was covered by bronze plates before removed by the invading Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade.</div>
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<strong>Hagia Sofia (The Church of Great Wisdom)</strong> is surely Istanbul’s most famous monument. First <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1f3kovb-qplxmM1shHFrgFUWfu3MtqqBCCSI0dnC9tBiv3b2lpLUF1V7mQDQ2DCPM0dUBTflh4a_dPsYJzyFAsHqwrbpOe9bAwmf5jViJ-4I33X4nZSearO7Ya5Hd_360Fq8ERu5uRhyphenhyphen/s1600-h/IMG_3573.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093475914901644194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1f3kovb-qplxmM1shHFrgFUWfu3MtqqBCCSI0dnC9tBiv3b2lpLUF1V7mQDQ2DCPM0dUBTflh4a_dPsYJzyFAsHqwrbpOe9bAwmf5jViJ-4I33X4nZSearO7Ya5Hd_360Fq8ERu5uRhyphenhyphen/s200/IMG_3573.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>built as a church by Emperor Justinian in 527-65 as part of his efforts to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire. Mehmet the Conqueror, the Ottoman Sultan who conquered Constantinople in 1453, converted the church into a mosque. In 1935, Attaturk, the founder of the Turkish republic turned Aya Sofya into a museum. Entering into this museum is awe-inspiring. The Emperor Justinian was said to have declared, upon entering the church for the first time following its completion that he was honored to have built such a glorious house of worship <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9ycHpOdnFLCzJRCRVn9rquerjOdx2TZGDbIUhLcxuij8yJfoaGjQxaFFLpfsHppM_07VtvR4_rtdfmtklW9nDn7799FMu1PuVpwnLTVZumu9u4IehEVMXILMfxlf8WzTeXDpjaE-t1re/s1600-h/IMG_3611.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093617425484112818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9ycHpOdnFLCzJRCRVn9rquerjOdx2TZGDbIUhLcxuij8yJfoaGjQxaFFLpfsHppM_07VtvR4_rtdfmtklW9nDn7799FMu1PuVpwnLTVZumu9u4IehEVMXILMfxlf8WzTeXDpjaE-t1re/s200/IMG_3611.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>and he is said to have uttered aloud,“ I have outdone Solomon himself.” Entering this site and immediately understand why. The enormous dome is the largest in all the world and truly one<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LZHCSeNOvxxh1LPUQeI4dC9i-UtJp7ZZ2TxpLUyTpigbWgDao3HObfT_WXoF5abgmBjSmYu0c5OkjuduzHm7tbvt9CC8B13gQpeLV74ouag4CP4aIkVEuaBJvv9lqq5C8LcqcITszv3a/s1600-h/IMG_3615.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093618185693324226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LZHCSeNOvxxh1LPUQeI4dC9i-UtJp7ZZ2TxpLUyTpigbWgDao3HObfT_WXoF5abgmBjSmYu0c5OkjuduzHm7tbvt9CC8B13gQpeLV74ouag4CP4aIkVEuaBJvv9lqq5C8LcqcITszv3a/s200/IMG_3615.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> of the great wonders of ancient Byzantium. One is certainly overwhelmed by the height and breadth of Hagia Sofia. There is a mix of Byzantine and Islamic art throughout the site.</div>
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<strong>Sultanahmet Mosque</strong>. The Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I (1603-17) set out to build a monument that would rival the nearby Hagia Sofia in grandeur and beauty. Today it’s more widely known as the Blue Mosque due to the stained-glass windows and Iznik tiles lining the walls of the mosque. The mosque has six minarets and the courtyard is the biggest of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR0z_iUBv_ISGZ1pKKQs1Folp6Sp2Tn2bZu0fSgsuK6gf0coTtMlQ3mJtEu5V4g6BM_uw3itHQN2FoLNXtFZwVaqTel07rDsE2EJlVY-D1fsnHu_U-pDK4hrtvET4QvvLnMJqsuvqDNLK/s1600-h/IMG_3637.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093814263835288530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR0z_iUBv_ISGZ1pKKQs1Folp6Sp2Tn2bZu0fSgsuK6gf0coTtMlQ3mJtEu5V4g6BM_uw3itHQN2FoLNXtFZwVaqTel07rDsE2EJlVY-D1fsnHu_U-pDK4hrtvET4QvvLnMJqsuvqDNLK/s200/IMG_3637.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>all the Ottoman mosques. </div>
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The mosque is an absolutely stunning achievement of architecture. Both beautiful inside and out, it is truly a wonder of the Ottoman Age. From our hotel terrace at night we could see the Blue Mosque along the Bosphorus with its unique six minarets. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWfCQpAZ8K8CSlfBmxGnO-rhcMqvIPFb8zl0iGEHCXAY3g6W5SS8cjQ31LYXyvzDaDuENr5hm3S4Y6qDDxIE8CbaKW8cFPcv-uqG3gEXa4VM7AZDr6E2pCb2wPuk6em1B6-A2Um-J-CqI/s1600-h/IMG_3666.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095813313413538930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWfCQpAZ8K8CSlfBmxGnO-rhcMqvIPFb8zl0iGEHCXAY3g6W5SS8cjQ31LYXyvzDaDuENr5hm3S4Y6qDDxIE8CbaKW8cFPcv-uqG3gEXa4VM7AZDr6E2pCb2wPuk6em1B6-A2Um-J-CqI/s200/IMG_3666.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>With the moon shinning from above on this lovely summer evening and the call to prayer being heard through loudspeakers, one is easily mesmerized by the beauty and mystery of this ancient city. </div>
Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-73357294838943338362017-03-11T13:40:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:19:55.049-07:00<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzNR0FHCs8eLv6ilZWPdXI2h35aiXbDc2lsLO-7JmWfChKxQb1jcgqNhyDX28ZPg_d8vXpJTopICZH99bnZQbZx3UghwUC7M5K-oPcE5xFWj2B4n850Irf1HMC_0wUaZqbBgwGSR8_SxV/s1600-h/IMG_3516.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092718415814615874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzNR0FHCs8eLv6ilZWPdXI2h35aiXbDc2lsLO-7JmWfChKxQb1jcgqNhyDX28ZPg_d8vXpJTopICZH99bnZQbZx3UghwUC7M5K-oPcE5xFWj2B4n850Irf1HMC_0wUaZqbBgwGSR8_SxV/s200/IMG_3516.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> Today was the second full day in the amazing city that is Istanbul. We spent the morning walking the grounds of Tokopai Palace, the lavish home to the Ottoman Sultans. Mehmet the Conqueror started work on this palace shortly after the Muslim Conquest in 1453 and it remained the home of the Sultans until the mid-19th century when the Sultan and his family moved into European style palaces that they built along the Bosporous.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza9jLr2M0i9WgJ1khjhPg4wPDEldi64sKef80rcyziEL622FEUFqM_eR66Awm9QSjQ1QOXx6dZQEyvFhvP0SELvlk4vowcsdC5gbdfbVT9taibSvO0U2ms1GerTWNBb2ed3K_BVfUNrvj/s1600-h/IMG_3476.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093472380143559522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza9jLr2M0i9WgJ1khjhPg4wPDEldi64sKef80rcyziEL622FEUFqM_eR66Awm9QSjQ1QOXx6dZQEyvFhvP0SELvlk4vowcsdC5gbdfbVT9taibSvO0U2ms1GerTWNBb2ed3K_BVfUNrvj/s200/IMG_3476.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>We started our visit with a walk through the first and second courtyards of the palace into the labyrinth of rooms that comprised the Sultan’s harem, the imperial family quarters. Next, we entered the third court that contained the treasury of the Sultan’s. We marveled (along with hundreds of others) at all the opulent jewels and gold and diamonds that the Sultan’s and their court acquired. The highlight for me was the golden throne of Ahmet I and the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, an 86-carat rock surrounded by several dozen smaller stones worn by Mehmet IV at this accession to the throne.<br />
After a lovely morning at Topkapi, our group crossed the Bosphorus Bridge and drove to Uskudar. There we watched one of Turkey’s leading Ebru artists, Mr. Hikmet Barutcugil demonstrate this ancient art of Turkey.<br />
We then visited the Istanbul Modern Museum of Art and toured the exhibit of Turkish modern <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlMKTv6JJ_NZyoFfZDgQRH2JS-2dlzAMqN5re0eNO36nMTnkVsxa2CkO2Dps4-qIEsan7f0dl_z8XtCadaXfG1ZdAC-pDBvAyuQOmthzKV8-ceGEL_HtJZt6JUE9nyaOJDQsEegcxrYP8/s1600-h/IMG_3523.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093473050158457714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlMKTv6JJ_NZyoFfZDgQRH2JS-2dlzAMqN5re0eNO36nMTnkVsxa2CkO2Dps4-qIEsan7f0dl_z8XtCadaXfG1ZdAC-pDBvAyuQOmthzKV8-ceGEL_HtJZt6JUE9nyaOJDQsEegcxrYP8/s200/IMG_3523.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>artists. Afterwards we stepped out on the balcony and once again took in the amazing view of the Bosphorous and the Sultenhamet District.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXb6vBBp_5ZUPampIWO6MjuPJs_om_apH_pxZgozwSUM8vQm6aS2Xi6EMRvMVrFUSpn3KHvFbczaJA-epzzYXv4YAcaHx_xUFhjC2n82r2VdD4HXzSybepwrHLec2bMdhPC75zoCsZ7EB/s1600-h/IMG_3531.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093473548374664066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXb6vBBp_5ZUPampIWO6MjuPJs_om_apH_pxZgozwSUM8vQm6aS2Xi6EMRvMVrFUSpn3KHvFbczaJA-epzzYXv4YAcaHx_xUFhjC2n82r2VdD4HXzSybepwrHLec2bMdhPC75zoCsZ7EB/s200/IMG_3531.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>This very busy day last day in ended with a lovely dinner in a restored Ottoman mansion. We enjoyed good conversation, wonderful food and <em>fasul</em>, which is traditional Turkish classical music.<br />
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Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-437032930243680172017-03-11T12:32:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:24:11.000-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX7y8r4T9K-dyneiYWUYe-NUjnR__VXbkEJGgS3rKWMbHCmDSfY6aLdx2NDOn2SH9uUBMVqY89Vh7laPHiIcgzQJ1d4uPxAhFWMiBKo2HiJniWAAV9PF-DsM16KecNf41cgBVJq5M5wkd/s1600-h/IMG_3694.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094339568400360482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX7y8r4T9K-dyneiYWUYe-NUjnR__VXbkEJGgS3rKWMbHCmDSfY6aLdx2NDOn2SH9uUBMVqY89Vh7laPHiIcgzQJ1d4uPxAhFWMiBKo2HiJniWAAV9PF-DsM16KecNf41cgBVJq5M5wkd/s200/IMG_3694.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> This morning we said goodbye to Istanbul and headed on our bus journey to Bursa. On our way we we visited the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Enka</span> School in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Adapazari</span>. This region suffered a terrible earthquake in 1999 and 20,000 people died as a result. Enka School was set up in aftermath of that earthquake to help the children of the victims. Most of the students who attend this school are orphans. Here are some facts on the visit:<br />
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<li>Supported by multinational corporation, their purpose is to serve children who lost their homes and families</li>
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<li>Private, but free to students (uniform, meals, transport, board) </li>
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<li>Budget is $3.5 million annually </li>
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<li>Began building 40 days after earthquake by searching out needy children and teachers </li>
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<li>Now 560 students, K-12 (ration 8:1) </li>
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<li>Entrance is difficult and according to need (85% poor, disadvantaged)</li>
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<li>Projects displayed in hallways, activity encouraged </li>
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<li>Not interested in aesthetics of building itself (focus on kids) </li>
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<li>Curriculum is student-centered </li>
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<li>Separate elementary and high school </li>
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<li>Covered gym </li>
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<li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">IB</span> programs </li>
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<li>Mentoring </li>
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<li>After school activities </li>
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<li>Technology (4,000hrs of instruction) </li>
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<li>Dance, art, music </li>
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We were very much moved by the service learning essential of the school. The seniors have to do community service before graduation and the teachers proudly shared one of their projects on helping a poor nearby village improve their school and community center.<br /><br />We proceeded next to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Iznik</span>, Turkey. In ancient times this city was called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nicea</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">located </span>on the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmrgFpQjXbetA4nrGpezLk0FHRau5Xlbm8js9r8bUyDIZ8xyT0hI9AofaC5hUtcjm13SpZgl0BapiJqx4mcZCgwio8upoKc1AM1sxq0-PIkZBVklN0nS5QVzuI8wlSARAyRyJDfZjEPHU/s1600-h/IMG_3739.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094326515994747906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmrgFpQjXbetA4nrGpezLk0FHRau5Xlbm8js9r8bUyDIZ8xyT0hI9AofaC5hUtcjm13SpZgl0BapiJqx4mcZCgwio8upoKc1AM1sxq0-PIkZBVklN0nS5QVzuI8wlSARAyRyJDfZjEPHU/s200/IMG_3739.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>shore of a peaceful lake. The city first flourished under <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">greek</span> rule in the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> century <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">BCE</span>. It was here in the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> century that the First Ecumenical Council was held and formulated the Nicene Creed-a statement on the basic beliefs of Christianity (I Believe in God....") <br />
While there we visited the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Isnik</span> Foundation, an organization dedicated to reviving the tradition of Turkish tile-<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaPsv4lY2MsPEVbebuAOEFlHI1dtS3s33UlJsy9TAzA6fJM3ojzqqtYV95F4lepQgL7Qg7XykLL4RYtXW0w6DVyHxSiTXVN-LXRWFKqof7_AuTYB0CWFTqrzUMUlGp85glosTWRgswJml/s1600-h/IMG_3738.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094327452297618450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaPsv4lY2MsPEVbebuAOEFlHI1dtS3s33UlJsy9TAzA6fJM3ojzqqtYV95F4lepQgL7Qg7XykLL4RYtXW0w6DVyHxSiTXVN-LXRWFKqof7_AuTYB0CWFTqrzUMUlGp85glosTWRgswJml/s200/IMG_3738.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>making (<a href="http://www.iznikvakfi%2Corg/">http://www.iznikvakfi,org/</a>). It was fascinating to watch the women move through the age-old process. <br />
Our tour’s final destination for the day was Bursa. Bursa has a special place in the hearts of Turks for it was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Bursa has many ancient mosques , medresses, (seminaries) and hamams (bathhouses). It is also was the center of the Silk trade and home to the famous “Turkish Towel.” Our hotel was the Karavanaray Thermal Hotel. This hotel was once offered rest, food and relaxation to tired sojourners and their animals along the Silk Road and is connected to an ancient spring. Before dinner, I enjoyed a luxurious <a href="http://www.allaboutturkey.com/hamam.htm">Turkish Bath </a>experience at the Hotel. It was one of the most memorable and most relaxing and pampering experiences on my trip so far. A must do for any traveler through Turkey.<br />In the evening we attended a Hacivat and Karagoz traditional Turkish shadow puppet show at the Karagoz House in Bursa. Please see my link on traditional Turkish shadow theatre for more information.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-58660671483538922342017-03-10T12:33:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:24:35.170-07:00The Classical Heritage of Anatolia (Day I)<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tBc_8P2Hyq8x3DVhAM1vKIgagbI-TgtYfp_Lou_pEogTQVO6FXwVGZ6BJBGQFjf191Sg47sm6-VU3H0YEka7pm9Si4XsxBA-hmGqG64nfbD3uXpcuQ9_EJt8AIDb__HZ2fZxF-k_HnZm/s1600-h/IMG_3783.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094712509000606786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tBc_8P2Hyq8x3DVhAM1vKIgagbI-TgtYfp_Lou_pEogTQVO6FXwVGZ6BJBGQFjf191Sg47sm6-VU3H0YEka7pm9Si4XsxBA-hmGqG64nfbD3uXpcuQ9_EJt8AIDb__HZ2fZxF-k_HnZm/s200/IMG_3783.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> In the morning, before leaving Bursa we visited the tombs of Ozman Gazi and Orhan Gazi tombs, the founders of the Ottoman Empire and Koza Han, home of the silk trade.<br />
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Then it was on to Pergamum. There we had our first of many encounters of the breathtaking ancient ruins that run up and down the Aegean part of Anatolia. Pergamum was one of the greatest cities of Western Asia. It achieved its greatest power under Roman control and the rule of Eumenes II in 2nd century BCE. The wonders at Pergamum are many. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdZmiULwF8-GhdHFqKbgvPFzokuodNnuSL_K03g9CCEDzwd4g-JS-VnDzlOd38MTNmSGnwnbzooXkpZNdbFqkNK-5MU-uXiqmBZcTbMt94bricWtaLdVPWUpPEsFVTcjjTlvPbsmI487-/s1600-h/IMG_3839.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095811165929890898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdZmiULwF8-GhdHFqKbgvPFzokuodNnuSL_K03g9CCEDzwd4g-JS-VnDzlOd38MTNmSGnwnbzooXkpZNdbFqkNK-5MU-uXiqmBZcTbMt94bricWtaLdVPWUpPEsFVTcjjTlvPbsmI487-/s200/IMG_3839.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>We walked up the acropolis, the high point in ancient Pergamum to the Temple of Trajan, built during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian and used as a place of worship for those emperors as well the worshipping of Zeus. This Roman temple is built atop Roman foundations that were later used as cisterns during the middle ages. We also <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4hhcmmWvxvsdQoji07up38MvrQM9SSdeGOxBWoK8npAOy3sdXkhzws9NoDdohukV-VjOJPfMwIhT18sv1FFGDPaKsgWa9sBxI_93cni3bCz33lTf5eu5Ji7g4bZ-w3AWxZ3wGitab6S4/s1600-h/IMG_3834.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095811814469952610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4hhcmmWvxvsdQoji07up38MvrQM9SSdeGOxBWoK8npAOy3sdXkhzws9NoDdohukV-VjOJPfMwIhT18sv1FFGDPaKsgWa9sBxI_93cni3bCz33lTf5eu5Ji7g4bZ-w3AWxZ3wGitab6S4/s200/IMG_3834.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>visited the 10,000 seat theater at Pergamum. This open air Hellenistic theater is the steepest theater in the world, built right into the hillside and allowing for a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Above the stage was the ruined temple of Dionysus and to the south of the theatre and shaded by a evergreen trees is base of the Altar of Zeus. The altar itself, depicting freezes of a battle scenes between Olympian gods and their human foes can be found in Berlin at the Ephesus Archeological Museum.<br />
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We pulled into our Kusadasi Hotel late and before going to bed took in the breathtaking view of the Aegean at night from our balcony</div>
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Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-28300124255875254152017-03-09T12:31:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:26:24.427-07:00Classical Heritage of Anatolia (Day II)Today was one of the highlights of my journey here through Turkey. We spent the day exploring the best preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Walking through Ephesus, I felt as if I were stepping back in time and experiencing what life was like in Classical times. Ancient Ephesus was a great trading city and a centre for the cult of Cybele, the Anatolian fertility goddess. Under the influence of the Ionian Greeks, Cybele became Artemisia, the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon, and a fabulous temple was built in her honor. When the Romans took over this city and made it the capital city of the province of Asia, Artemisia became Diana.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34-JbuF8qBFFw9KOclbgnzRJIOepgHpsaLxJWthSNJoMHzol0b6d-Pnbafxkgi8PXsKTHQp8DxO_gzbmpMY0TiamaFz3h_op9mmCmnQ-rQqLO91PfFlYMwijJKewtK6G1vaaV4Bm5df2-/s1600-h/IMG_3883.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095819017130108082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34-JbuF8qBFFw9KOclbgnzRJIOepgHpsaLxJWthSNJoMHzol0b6d-Pnbafxkgi8PXsKTHQp8DxO_gzbmpMY0TiamaFz3h_op9mmCmnQ-rQqLO91PfFlYMwijJKewtK6G1vaaV4Bm5df2-/s200/IMG_3883.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>We started this incredible day with a visit to the site of the <a href="http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/list.html">Temple of Artemisia</a>, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This site had been a place of pilgrimage in ancient Anatolia since 88BCE. By 600 BCE Ephesus was a prosperous trading city. In ancient times Ephesus was a seaport on the Aegean. The temple of Artemisia would have been looming large and magnificent as ancient vessels made their way into the harbor. Under Roman control Ephesus grew to 250,000 people and the cult of Diana brought pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean world. St. Paul when he visited this city in the 1st century CE came to preach about Christianity to the Ephesians and the uselessness of the cult of Diana. He preached in the Ephesus theatre and caused such a riot among Ephesians as a result of his attacks against Diana that he fled the city for his life.<br />
After a stop at the site of the temple we toured the Ephesus Museum where among other <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R7YbCN0y2mX6NcWmXFuuHM5EGHSJMWUo38aHxRMD2gXuE1zThgl3jzVn3e5vd8sbwrFNoqkWgTj9PzgUuCvgNDOTfMMmd5p6PBca8BRIX9BnWdynHWMIni1-iWDxAFGXEyKbuLmcMGvB/s1600-h/IMG_3894.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095819455216772290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R7YbCN0y2mX6NcWmXFuuHM5EGHSJMWUo38aHxRMD2gXuE1zThgl3jzVn3e5vd8sbwrFNoqkWgTj9PzgUuCvgNDOTfMMmd5p6PBca8BRIX9BnWdynHWMIni1-iWDxAFGXEyKbuLmcMGvB/s200/IMG_3894.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>classical ruins excavated in Ephesus we saw the statue of Artemisia. Next we explored other sites of Ephesus. In upper Ephesus we saw the odium, where the city council met and the Temple of Hestia Boulaea, in which a perpetually burning flame was guarded. Making our way towards the marketplace we passed through the Gate of Hercules constructed in the 4th <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_rX-QFn-RTDmmJyD-zqC5dmpyoAKZKK7iO3yTgf8bQrk2UkILxaI3xlCA2jiQTYWPUhRF4vQmxppVNcEC6jm-ybibz7XiRtkO2-K8-M-rYWU4MtaAMJT1bhHuBVp1mniKGHFuIIN9xC8/s1600-h/IMG_3975.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095817934798349458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_rX-QFn-RTDmmJyD-zqC5dmpyoAKZKK7iO3yTgf8bQrk2UkILxaI3xlCA2jiQTYWPUhRF4vQmxppVNcEC6jm-ybibz7XiRtkO2-K8-M-rYWU4MtaAMJT1bhHuBVp1mniKGHFuIIN9xC8/s200/IMG_3975.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>century CE . The view looking down onto the agora, the market place, is spectacular. At its end is the famous Library of Celsus, named after the Roman governor of Asia Minor in the early part of the 2nd century CE. Along the market we couldn’t help but to pop into the remains of the male communal bathroom. (FYI-I now know what the Romans used instead of toilet paper-the had a remarkable water distribution system running all the way through Ephesus and some of the water that ran in throufs below the toilets from the baths up above was diverted into small channels in front of the toilets. Romans would then used available sponges to clean themselves and then washed them in the channel.) We also passed the Temple of Hadrian with a head of Medusa to keep out evil spirits. Finally, I paused for awhile to appreciate the library which once <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S-niY3npIHL-yX5UIdBYxHBIADINGbCWQMTOpBUhyphenhyphen-ZWyUIgv8nxk-fiu_Z3C1bajfPsD6Eipu_JPCa0EqufWu5zeC0CLm4yzlKIOnVWjQDD2Eb1WWGIYyOJwyOfc-BsGRx2mqAJomQH/s1600-h/IMG_3991.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095818415834686626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S-niY3npIHL-yX5UIdBYxHBIADINGbCWQMTOpBUhyphenhyphen-ZWyUIgv8nxk-fiu_Z3C1bajfPsD6Eipu_JPCa0EqufWu5zeC0CLm4yzlKIOnVWjQDD2Eb1WWGIYyOJwyOfc-BsGRx2mqAJomQH/s200/IMG_3991.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>held 12,000 scrolls in niches around its walls. The outside of the temple has statues of the four wisdoms-Though, Knowledge, Wisdom and Goodness. (The real statues are in the Austrian Archeological Museum). There was of course much, much more to see and explore but time was against us.<br />
Next it was up to visit the Basilica of St. John built by Emperor Justinian. It was here that St. John is believed to have preached. The 6th century church that bears his name was built here atop the ruins of the earliest Ephesus ruins. It was so moving to walk through a baptismal font along “the way of the pilgrims” as the early Ephesian converts must have done. Perhaps they were baptized by Paul or St. John themselves. St. John’s believed <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJzQyekB-g0F-k-VDlO12JFckIVAgY6sfxUzCwBSxMU-gA9jfX4iwy7Yz3rOxscIqokRxB5nxiItpNx4uXuNEVlrDSBKGwKTmm3uwlEj2s2lRE1y64b973aGKKh9lO3PubDWdfahc9JfK/s1600-h/IMG_3919.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095825481055888610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJzQyekB-g0F-k-VDlO12JFckIVAgY6sfxUzCwBSxMU-gA9jfX4iwy7Yz3rOxscIqokRxB5nxiItpNx4uXuNEVlrDSBKGwKTmm3uwlEj2s2lRE1y64b973aGKKh9lO3PubDWdfahc9JfK/s200/IMG_3919.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>burial spot is here as well. The hill allows for a spectacular view of the temple of Artemesia and it’s easy to use one’s imagination to see the Aegean waters reaching up to its shores.<br />
Lastly, but certainly not least, on my personal list, we visited The House of The Virgin Mary. After Jesus’ death in 33 CE, his mother, Mary, was entrusted into the care of the apostle John. John as I mentioned earlier, came to Asia Minor to spread the gospel and it is believed he took Mary with him and that it was here in Ephesus that Mary lived her last years. In the 19th century a German nun had a dream that the spot where Mary lived and where she was taken into heaven was in Ephesus. Clergy from nearby Izmir came to Ephesus and went to the place <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiWq5j_yGmpXYhpmQBk3SZsZFZJBkIOQJQ5Im_DEeP5XOmDpQGgP1dYl8zgmYinNypbZaeK3NzgwxTip4snQcy9yVYL6uM22Ygq3P1JGptI7ACi_I9z6AbQbCyFoF4kFfdDYxXgVZqvNB/s1600-h/IMG_3959.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096384398035018994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiWq5j_yGmpXYhpmQBk3SZsZFZJBkIOQJQ5Im_DEeP5XOmDpQGgP1dYl8zgmYinNypbZaeK3NzgwxTip4snQcy9yVYL6uM22Ygq3P1JGptI7ACi_I9z6AbQbCyFoF4kFfdDYxXgVZqvNB/s200/IMG_3959.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>revealed in the sister’s dream. What they found was the foundation of the house you see today. (The house was reconstructed in the early 20th century). Below the Byzantine foundation was the remains of a 1st century home. Today pilgrims from all over, Muslims as well as Christians come to this spot to pray and meditate and bring back the waters from the spring. It was a very peaceful and reflective end to a extraordinary <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsFy_t55gSaOHfszVV2iuJONQ3sv9mmXsv9XEQz98nRXHnDwCPj0XeHOyUnVJJgwwnX4c0uj-uJrPkkL3uld79FhTffqlfkUzRRpfW45SGYCuiUo_8dq04hEDAzL39IPwygMgCFnJhEyA/s1600-h/IMG_3957.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097824715317734002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsFy_t55gSaOHfszVV2iuJONQ3sv9mmXsv9XEQz98nRXHnDwCPj0XeHOyUnVJJgwwnX4c0uj-uJrPkkL3uld79FhTffqlfkUzRRpfW45SGYCuiUo_8dq04hEDAzL39IPwygMgCFnJhEyA/s200/IMG_3957.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>memorable day.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-808499818479563362017-03-08T12:39:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:26:35.264-07:00Classical Heritage of Anatolia (Day III)Today we left Kusadasi bound for Pammukale. We drove most of the morning stopping for lunch along the way. The landscape outside my window has changed from the low lying lands along the seacoast to the high plateau/mountain region of Western Anatolia. Brick homes dot the landscape surrounded by dry, yellow fields with the mountains behind. There's not much arable land or crops being grown. Water allocation is a hot issue in this country. Damns and rivers provide most of Turkey’s water, but Turkey is going through a terrible dry spell and water is rationed. Cypress trees and olive tree groves appear often. Occasionally I see a small village and then we passed through Denizili, a major city in the area. The air is dry and the weather is HOT-108 degees Fahrenheit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM-w7eNE0PKnzsB1fZA4NNVLpstVUVyVfIJsWJq5e_vHWYksSJpuZT1DRLVXxNFcDzUdmIuZKKuSikwmAMoRV4M2qlWJklz-MBlhqXxWO0HSkvWK0WJLmvi5jE8PFWPQdEbrumAeU8cCA/s1600-h/IMG_4076.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096385725179913506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM-w7eNE0PKnzsB1fZA4NNVLpstVUVyVfIJsWJq5e_vHWYksSJpuZT1DRLVXxNFcDzUdmIuZKKuSikwmAMoRV4M2qlWJklz-MBlhqXxWO0HSkvWK0WJLmvi5jE8PFWPQdEbrumAeU8cCA/s200/IMG_4076.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>We arrived in the early afternoon to Aphrodisias, (Aphrodite-Greek/Venus-Roman), the city <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthaLSv5sAL4pkcOsxNdzlSiGieEMWsHj67HzG7IEiepz6oVJb5vvjfE5ucItrzxbn1dVW1p5tOdFw_L7WlWg6rzWhr0AxpFOrBvg2RYnYORQe7EWs80XDBJfnbB8m2me8OZQsAm58Vvr3/s1600-h/IMG_4074.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096385476071810322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthaLSv5sAL4pkcOsxNdzlSiGieEMWsHj67HzG7IEiepz6oVJb5vvjfE5ucItrzxbn1dVW1p5tOdFw_L7WlWg6rzWhr0AxpFOrBvg2RYnYORQe7EWs80XDBJfnbB8m2me8OZQsAm58Vvr3/s200/IMG_4074.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>dedicated to the goddess of love and one of Turkey’s finest archeological sites. Here I got a real sense of the grandeur and the extent of the lost classical cities. The settlement at Afrodisias dates back to the 6th century BCE when Anatolians worshipped the local fertility goddess here. By the 2nd century BCE it was a town and by the 3rd century CE it had grown into the capital of the Roman province of Caria.<br />
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While here we visited the open air theatre that was built on the prehistoric earthmound that marked the earliest settlements of the city. We then saw the large agora and marveled at the gigantic swimming pool that ran its length. Then to the Hadrianic Baths where I could really envision the Romans bathing <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN6PjIVtKqkkPdKB7TUaG5Ga_akn6FybJNlk5TZRZtUX1KISPrfX3ahlbJaRBAF28DFdbrbKNhpIk7_VCviRSWtb1Lfkx_AVi8w08bZ7p-XzBt9YMEZQ_zRfTkTu7Rig6pU1KTvvZ670S/s1600-h/IMG_4043.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096385046575080706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN6PjIVtKqkkPdKB7TUaG5Ga_akn6FybJNlk5TZRZtUX1KISPrfX3ahlbJaRBAF28DFdbrbKNhpIk7_VCviRSWtb1Lfkx_AVi8w08bZ7p-XzBt9YMEZQ_zRfTkTu7Rig6pU1KTvvZ670S/s200/IMG_4043.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>taking time during the day to come together in this place and bath in the pool and talk politics and discuss all sorts of social issues. The Roman bath became the model from which the Turkish Bath stemmed from. We passed the site of the Temple of Aphrodisias and later I visited the museum that contained her statue that was worshipped here. We could also see how the temple <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFeELMBaTRNkZKiUbQuAhdodAo_mvEqH_eDLH7hh4Otraway3i3i61A-js56hstyd3GRgKmcDX6xHf5Re7kWAL1XpRqKdMkHGxxSGb9KyyHeVL0jkbdGveE8cwVdI7jXt-TYn6O-px4G4/s1600-h/IMG_4060.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096386214806185266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFeELMBaTRNkZKiUbQuAhdodAo_mvEqH_eDLH7hh4Otraway3i3i61A-js56hstyd3GRgKmcDX6xHf5Re7kWAL1XpRqKdMkHGxxSGb9KyyHeVL0jkbdGveE8cwVdI7jXt-TYn6O-px4G4/s200/IMG_4060.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>was later converted into a Byzantine Basilica in 500 CE. I loved touching the early Christian crosses carved into the marble pillars of the basilica. The stadium at Aphrodisias was the real treasure of this site. It’s the largest (30,000) and best preserved stadium in the classical <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vHl7vAAXdwfoWL7Njl-Gwop4LYLCbQZRhJevHMXBah_0IfoVgfYpU3wzFVBTZVFx9Hf9WQqG-H4G21qV-6cZMM5JRenqlAhI9az8xcToY1wt4_VnlmZxr5p7EFWgmC9wjvpCx1fA6U0U/s1600-h/IMG_4071.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096388074527024450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vHl7vAAXdwfoWL7Njl-Gwop4LYLCbQZRhJevHMXBah_0IfoVgfYpU3wzFVBTZVFx9Hf9WQqG-H4G21qV-6cZMM5JRenqlAhI9az8xcToY1wt4_VnlmZxr5p7EFWgmC9wjvpCx1fA6U0U/s200/IMG_4071.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>world. The shape of the stadium is ovoid and at one end of the stadium was a circle for gladiatorial combats.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NQ8HCzgl1HuC1bl5Tz8YJLKx48Zfb-sLX2ez2c9UoeIm6atPQkOUCb7-KDS7eHPR5v4pMMV142afTnTUcIeQb7kTFlaUiZN556hAwCzYBD2IPkfUZcpOjksJxNHDF0TIY53G9JXuf4Ux/s1600-h/IMG_4007.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096395771108418978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NQ8HCzgl1HuC1bl5Tz8YJLKx48Zfb-sLX2ez2c9UoeIm6atPQkOUCb7-KDS7eHPR5v4pMMV142afTnTUcIeQb7kTFlaUiZN556hAwCzYBD2IPkfUZcpOjksJxNHDF0TIY53G9JXuf4Ux/s200/IMG_4007.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>After lunch we payed a short visit to a village school, <em>Atakoy Ilkogretim Okulu.</em> The principal and a handful of adorable students were there to great us. Here is some data on the school:<br />
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<ul><br /><br /><br />
<li>School founded in 1948 </li>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rZuJf4nwz2r-Nh4uZ4MDox7vQQMHj0dZRj3xOqkXaClMevR_D1oylosoTULyIJwKbTLHV5QsV80rz1J7bTxMcUpCNIEYFY0vT7K3Nj054W1wmnBv_TzJHFmLM3ak2B5yJxU5nyKMfT9H/s1600-h/IMG_4009.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096395779698353586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rZuJf4nwz2r-Nh4uZ4MDox7vQQMHj0dZRj3xOqkXaClMevR_D1oylosoTULyIJwKbTLHV5QsV80rz1J7bTxMcUpCNIEYFY0vT7K3Nj054W1wmnBv_TzJHFmLM3ak2B5yJxU5nyKMfT9H/s200/IMG_4009.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></ul>
<ul>
<li>210 students, 3 buildings </li>
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<li>Children come from this village </li>
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<li>Each class has own classroom </li>
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<li>14 teachers, 1 English </li>
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<li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFmkODPH9zfND_DkNnFLYovJpYaP9YWPC96RgOynKY7i-5_jBBZliSoQ7PqRM1jW75GI2gysglzBFzDwDB3wf53S5Ow6rZPIGXnGgm7bWA2aA4kHuqUdY3FZWSazusv42-bSh72QvlU-F/s1600-h/IMG_4010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096395788288288194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFmkODPH9zfND_DkNnFLYovJpYaP9YWPC96RgOynKY7i-5_jBBZliSoQ7PqRM1jW75GI2gysglzBFzDwDB3wf53S5Ow6rZPIGXnGgm7bWA2aA4kHuqUdY3FZWSazusv42-bSh72QvlU-F/s200/IMG_4010.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>8 grades, 1st -5th here </li>
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<li>50% continue to high school, 10% to university </li>
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<li>Students wear uniforms through high school (nationwide) </li>
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<li>Teacher shortage is a problem </li>
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<li>No internet yet, but hoping for it soon (basic training given) </li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWRWX954ywo3gONg6DrYHJTapRwTT58r8VGPvJuo1hi7cowT93zohoG9Qb5T1bO1rgc6RjbP2l2DZ4AUzMq_Vbhf4TaBFo_G023bC7dt33kp4ucnOwfE_QNKQdSb7c16THX7poTTe0JEV/s1600-h/IMG_4026.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096395801173190114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWRWX954ywo3gONg6DrYHJTapRwTT58r8VGPvJuo1hi7cowT93zohoG9Qb5T1bO1rgc6RjbP2l2DZ4AUzMq_Vbhf4TaBFo_G023bC7dt33kp4ucnOwfE_QNKQdSb7c16THX7poTTe0JEV/s200/IMG_4026.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Government mobilizes businesses to contribute and sponsor (tax cuts) </li>
</ol>
<ul><br /><br /><br />
<li>Until 4th grade, teachers educate in all subjects; after, specialization </li>
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<li>Teachers pursue bachelors, take civil service exam and are assigned to regions by score and preference but must stay 2 years (victim of system) </li>
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<li>Equal salary by experience but not very different by region </li>
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<li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4GE-Fg3CB44Q0MKqa1jsno43kZcQbmU7zNh1Ib7YszdkMfj2dRddcEmNAa9o5BO_NAKYUQXmFv4JUXQYYxlkiN03IvqBVOcY1v2f-X0AFNueFqhvLilD4c2AJjpQIWAQV-J_Bfi2pSBo/s1600-h/IMG_4021.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096395792583255506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4GE-Fg3CB44Q0MKqa1jsno43kZcQbmU7zNh1Ib7YszdkMfj2dRddcEmNAa9o5BO_NAKYUQXmFv4JUXQYYxlkiN03IvqBVOcY1v2f-X0AFNueFqhvLilD4c2AJjpQIWAQV-J_Bfi2pSBo/s200/IMG_4021.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Teachers respected but expected to produce results </li>
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<li>Homework is expected and necessary for reality </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Government provides books for all 14 million students in the country </li>
</ul>
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The students were worth the trip to this small, country school!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNF9iGy4cUF_NRt3lcf9c6q4XsFgMDsML3Ht3BGUi732TqmlCe7UAR10iBjxl6uJfzOkfUh8kKBG6B6vo3gk2gR4UI_31c03q3ZmxeU-k9TTeEGDgDN3_6JB5Xqa7E_Qq6VvOY_ehHekIk/s1600-h/IMG_4033.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096397106843248130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNF9iGy4cUF_NRt3lcf9c6q4XsFgMDsML3Ht3BGUi732TqmlCe7UAR10iBjxl6uJfzOkfUh8kKBG6B6vo3gk2gR4UI_31c03q3ZmxeU-k9TTeEGDgDN3_6JB5Xqa7E_Qq6VvOY_ehHekIk/s200/IMG_4033.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
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Next we traveled to ancient Hieropolis and the Pamukkale travertines. Hieropolis was an ancient spa-resort. It was located near calcium <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAAXtv3g0XjA6amxvhdfiqYk7L1k0E1nTP1FJH4lfHtsIpGxW-uz0aFatcLNf7JI6W5qP6bBKFgJnj4GD7o4J4-wiSbBAlX45Z-9LCsvV7Tz5MZpqLktf4rD2_1LZ3z60dcm3I5jYZfYY/s1600-h/IMG_4098.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096389036599698770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAAXtv3g0XjA6amxvhdfiqYk7L1k0E1nTP1FJH4lfHtsIpGxW-uz0aFatcLNf7JI6W5qP6bBKFgJnj4GD7o4J4-wiSbBAlX45Z-9LCsvV7Tz5MZpqLktf4rD2_1LZ3z60dcm3I5jYZfYY/s200/IMG_4098.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>formations known in Turkish as Pammukale, or “Cotton Cloluds.” These gleaming white-calcium formations are a spectacular site. As our tour bus drove up to Hieropolis we marveled at the snow white mountains in the distance. We had some time to enjoy the waters of Pamukkale and then walk through the ruins of Hieropolis, past the spectacular Roman Theatre and into the Hieropolis thermal pool<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0mvF4_7MF-58ldUUOl5FDT_s4Sfo0JhDQKtmm_ylpiuxlpfvFr1LR-6BmjPEY9qo6FM0KlPOfc2f9Y5RGDYA75WSifPaiS_qJozKIkzfPLHykrQW71oiKr8uMUbYibmA3rW_tRBpA7DL/s1600-h/IMG_4104.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096389045189633378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0mvF4_7MF-58ldUUOl5FDT_s4Sfo0JhDQKtmm_ylpiuxlpfvFr1LR-6BmjPEY9qo6FM0KlPOfc2f9Y5RGDYA75WSifPaiS_qJozKIkzfPLHykrQW71oiKr8uMUbYibmA3rW_tRBpA7DL/s200/IMG_4104.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> and then onto the necropolis of Hieropolis. I couldn’t help but feel sadness at the image of the ill sojourners coming to Hieropolis, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEP913AZN6tximeTSjjxFJIlEFSiABXLMzbQDH7mfEEhjdkjO9bHPkyGzivRSn8G6OHUIpL2BnrTGi3EGBVYf_pC-XWPB0-cCTA1LsgkdqF01OgpxwxMfTV9J_gAPtH8vAggRAVFA-tLI9/s1600-h/IMG_4113.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096389066664469874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEP913AZN6tximeTSjjxFJIlEFSiABXLMzbQDH7mfEEhjdkjO9bHPkyGzivRSn8G6OHUIpL2BnrTGi3EGBVYf_pC-XWPB0-cCTA1LsgkdqF01OgpxwxMfTV9J_gAPtH8vAggRAVFA-tLI9/s200/IMG_4113.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>hoping for a cure, and in many cases not getting it and ending up in the necropolis in the distance.<br />
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Despite the intense heat of early August, I loved my day at Aphrodisias/Hieropolis. What I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS3_NDF-C2Gw4bHpwyEBNYzXA_itLUsEuXIZSEOptlyp_iebkXr8JrJuq5VhDegVB30KutEjoXamSbiBCgdniCEC7VSEaWidD3y3QNDh68XjFUR76BUG3GhBhXUU6ipXw1urc1V8seilo/s1600-h/IMG_4119.JPG"></a>enjoyed most about these sites was the closeness I could get to the ruins. To be able to touch the Greek and Latin inscriptions, exploring classical structures and walk among these ancient stones, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSRYsv719U-ysxyVJB1x5IAF-Bwm8pThDnXEwmvUDXk1V0iPDb8OIRR5Ngu7i7KWtP074gZJSqj1hewNkPG8oYDyqmXt3epBcBGOeHMZjcvge-hwf2V8Pqlwyxcr624y8iTwcfblqZGGM/s1600-h/IMG_4128.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096389719499498882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSRYsv719U-ysxyVJB1x5IAF-Bwm8pThDnXEwmvUDXk1V0iPDb8OIRR5Ngu7i7KWtP074gZJSqj1hewNkPG8oYDyqmXt3epBcBGOeHMZjcvge-hwf2V8Pqlwyxcr624y8iTwcfblqZGGM/s200/IMG_4128.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>allowed me to connect with the ancient inhabitants of Anatolia in a way no history book could teach. I felt a deep connection to these people of long ago. As my friend Susan and I ran through the necropolis of Hieropolis, while the sun was beginning to make its own journey to the underworld, I could feel how the ancients must have loved and laughed, and hoped and dreamed and lived and died like those of us today. All that remains of them now are the ruins around us and the writings they left behind. And like the ancients, we too will someday be gone and the ruins and writings we leave behind will speak for to future generations. I realized as we jumped on board the bus, that we share a common humanity, both the past and the present and we also share similar journeys through life and death.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-9260261900800404172017-03-07T12:46:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:27:02.753-07:00Along the Silk Road (Day I)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pyxWtG6ZChLTInErhwqVMKXDO45-fiiLrwGRnhsRiHqa6bPY1cJK_XiFhWVdpdyKln70IcWmpe_DFjY3iAhXyNYuZySjNGLggnvxaA__Yq6BIlalTYbLIsia-KsWauQ3NGbioaUsgBdg/s1600-h/IMG_4147.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096401981631129154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pyxWtG6ZChLTInErhwqVMKXDO45-fiiLrwGRnhsRiHqa6bPY1cJK_XiFhWVdpdyKln70IcWmpe_DFjY3iAhXyNYuZySjNGLggnvxaA__Yq6BIlalTYbLIsia-KsWauQ3NGbioaUsgBdg/s200/IMG_4147.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> We’ve left Pamukkale and are heading towards Konya, home of the Sufi mystic and poet Romi who founded the Mevlevi Order of the Whirling Dervishes. The journey today is long ( 6 hours), but it has given me time to get caught up on my journaling. The view out my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUvqEjYfH64NBGc64EVMbXF2wI79Y_qaJrBWu3aE28fB1HMUWCJQDnXaaZ85VE2KiRFAOeuM6wNDvHY2fEW5h6J3nmvsuqTV4o3FMc9sct786Gyd2PgzAijxe7myoM9bZIFsgSgmByC8F/s1600-h/IMG_4136.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096400976608781858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUvqEjYfH64NBGc64EVMbXF2wI79Y_qaJrBWu3aE28fB1HMUWCJQDnXaaZ85VE2KiRFAOeuM6wNDvHY2fEW5h6J3nmvsuqTV4o3FMc9sct786Gyd2PgzAijxe7myoM9bZIFsgSgmByC8F/s200/IMG_4136.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>window continues to be mountainous and dry. This road we are taking follows the old southern route of the Silk Road.<br />
Late in the day we arrived to Konya. Konya’s history goes back 4,000 years ago to when the Hitites called this city “Kuwanna.” The Romans called this city Iconium and the Turks called it Konya. Iconium was an important Roman provincial town and visited several times by St. Paul and St. Barnabas. Under the Turks, Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.<br />
Finally after a long day’s bus journey we arrived in Konya and spend some time at the Mevlana Museum. This museum is filled with pilgrims and visitors who to pay respect to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx9BcomQ8IZ4Hg8On3ljY-jiuK_s7RfEytqUGAB-uzVIUuuPzFPTCWK8y4tbfLHIYJSIIHmtPnAds5zeAPZnLG7h8gEoJVcLjRRGXv06w5dsOK6tdbuayRtITY340fAuAKa9gBnywtmgK/s1600-h/IMG_4166.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096401363155838514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx9BcomQ8IZ4Hg8On3ljY-jiuK_s7RfEytqUGAB-uzVIUuuPzFPTCWK8y4tbfLHIYJSIIHmtPnAds5zeAPZnLG7h8gEoJVcLjRRGXv06w5dsOK6tdbuayRtITY340fAuAKa9gBnywtmgK/s200/IMG_4166.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Turkey’s greatest saint, Mevlana Rumi, mystic, poet and religious writer.<br />
Rumi was born in 1207 in Balkh, Afghanistan and fled as a young boy the invading Mongols by moving first to Mecca and later to Rum, reaching Konya in 1228. His father being a noted Sufi preacher, Rumi became a brilliant student of Islamic theology. He <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo33CPaaGWexLT9qelCphxrR40G4jmM8brL2Rg5MALxebHDbQGTzchCaHGejuWqV3AR2Fjt1vw3gOH-MJy0QFBJVjVtf0EbFP07yQzTLBzZOIGUVq1wN6fPKGekcdoNUnSUhg3otb2_qq/s1600-h/IMG_4170.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097463938064869202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo33CPaaGWexLT9qelCphxrR40G4jmM8brL2Rg5MALxebHDbQGTzchCaHGejuWqV3AR2Fjt1vw3gOH-MJy0QFBJVjVtf0EbFP07yQzTLBzZOIGUVq1wN6fPKGekcdoNUnSUhg3otb2_qq/s200/IMG_4170.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>studied in Aleppo and Damascus after his father’s death and later accepted an offer to return to Konya in 1240. It was in Konya that he met his very close friend Mehmet Tebrizi, one of his father’s Sufi mystics. Together they spent much time together discussing philosophical topics. Mevlana abandoned his teachings and rarely appeared in public. Tebrizi had a profound influence on Rumi. His disciples became jealous, believing their master had been bewitched by an evil sorcerer. They plotted to have Tebrizi killed in 1247. Heartbroken by this loss, Tebrizi withdrew from the world to meditate and write his great poetic work, Mesnevi.<br />
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His teachings can be summarized with this verse:<br />
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<em>Come, whoever you may be,<br />Even if you may be,<br />An infidel, a pagan, or a fire-worshipper,<br />come.<br />Ours is not a brotherhood of despair.<br />Even you have broken<br />Your vows of repentance a hundred<br />times, come. </em><br />
<em><br /></em>Rumi died December 13, in 1273 and his death was described by him as his “wedding day” with Allah. After his death, his son continued on his following by forming a brotherhood called the Mevlevi, or Whirling Dervishers.<br />
Today, the site of his tomb is considered to be a very holy place visited by 1.5 million pilgrims a year.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-58972921412637011202017-03-07T11:29:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:27:20.782-07:00Silk Road Tour (Day II)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iE2GmI4VnavkIyaAEchyphenhyphen53yPNi3Dh6I9ksT7JoDLEajljCxrESILqbUNvVjobyOYEyYDwrIOW0A2iMOsu7avdTItVVPntRa9q7p4w4ny4tR0-7eFWDTlJB7vhrJjZQPJyjVdMwF1oQSk/s1600-h/DSC_1759.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097480593948043266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iE2GmI4VnavkIyaAEchyphenhyphen53yPNi3Dh6I9ksT7JoDLEajljCxrESILqbUNvVjobyOYEyYDwrIOW0A2iMOsu7avdTItVVPntRa9q7p4w4ny4tR0-7eFWDTlJB7vhrJjZQPJyjVdMwF1oQSk/s200/DSC_1759.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Today we left our hotel in Konya and headed over the Konya plain. This plain is the largest in all of Turkey and is located in Central Anatolia. As I looked out over the plain I thought of the various peoples that have traveled through and have left their mark on this land. The Silk Road passed through this area and many crumbling caravensarai's, dot the area along side the modern highway we travel on. I imagined 12th/13th centrury <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJXkG0TQXyZI1S7yXpvCCFHroNZobS4XtbAl5-pQ0npJxQStkMH4o1_FaCeuJeN4rCkwjTWD257-v1hZJMSw1PGyWmpDWUei5bifPT2sPPJ3Sgp2AV_qkm-FvtaZ4k7ER_c3S4u4Eg2Ok/s1600-h/DSC_1849.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097466403376097138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJXkG0TQXyZI1S7yXpvCCFHroNZobS4XtbAl5-pQ0npJxQStkMH4o1_FaCeuJeN4rCkwjTWD257-v1hZJMSw1PGyWmpDWUei5bifPT2sPPJ3Sgp2AV_qkm-FvtaZ4k7ER_c3S4u4Eg2Ok/s200/DSC_1849.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>merchants and traders passing through with their camels and goods. I also imagined the ancient peoples who inhabitated this land such as the ancient inhabitants of Catalhoyuk some 9,000 years ago or the Hitities some 4,000 years ago, as well as and the Phrygians, and Romans and Seljuk Turks. Our bus stopped suddenly once for a sheppard and his flock of sheep that needed to cross the street. I wondered where the shepard was leading his flock for water and shelter. It was so <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGdk9DApWGs3GLphWpImQG6Ycq1d8SndONdsCnaX67aTX1TwJCi5PeMYbz4EGb_taTBMdMbzJVBRSRGOGFdKBAW2xCHB7Db0uq-U52ym5q5VxtfiDrtUr_8tSkqgPj_ZJe4KIkZA0Jsq3/s1600-h/DSC_1848.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097466411966031746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGdk9DApWGs3GLphWpImQG6Ycq1d8SndONdsCnaX67aTX1TwJCi5PeMYbz4EGb_taTBMdMbzJVBRSRGOGFdKBAW2xCHB7Db0uq-U52ym5q5VxtfiDrtUr_8tSkqgPj_ZJe4KIkZA0Jsq3/s200/DSC_1848.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>beatiful to see him tend to an injured or sick sheep by puttinh him on his donkey and riding off with him! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnfnIbh5voLvFs0B4MLw9hQ1YVo1OC5aVpdne03C-T7NgvmNGaCUNG2hXI453zdqmyagW2elns55BUuXFMkeaJgeHr0uOdSSZ4_OtNj5XGLdSBQNboM9IVFupkF_dprVEJZ0ExW3gbIhi/s1600-h/IMG_4293.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477677665249186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnfnIbh5voLvFs0B4MLw9hQ1YVo1OC5aVpdne03C-T7NgvmNGaCUNG2hXI453zdqmyagW2elns55BUuXFMkeaJgeHr0uOdSSZ4_OtNj5XGLdSBQNboM9IVFupkF_dprVEJZ0ExW3gbIhi/s200/IMG_4293.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
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As we continued along the small modern highway our bus stopped periodically for "humanitarian needs" and we also stopped for lunch in the small town of Agzikarahan for lunch at a restored Caravansarai. It was a beautifully restored Caravansarai and I imagined how it must have provided shelter, drink, food, a bath and a place to stay for <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasJiIkmN-h9zNVbdHUGM0G2I5FPPuKSzdX7y4P1B9ZzH2ttgxAxhcjpSWFHy3qZGVBE4ltL4g58OtH_NUSDh8RN4IgYuO6hPUgE10FegVlmulgdjo1xuFj3biJAtARRuB3bbhO9qIRuGS/s1600-h/IMG_4270.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477965428058034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasJiIkmN-h9zNVbdHUGM0G2I5FPPuKSzdX7y4P1B9ZzH2ttgxAxhcjpSWFHy3qZGVBE4ltL4g58OtH_NUSDh8RN4IgYuO6hPUgE10FegVlmulgdjo1xuFj3biJAtARRuB3bbhO9qIRuGS/s200/IMG_4270.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>the merchant and his animals for the night. It was nice to see how the old mixes with the new, as modern bus stops and modern buses mix with the old, showing that time doesn't change our common humanity. </div>
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About 40 miles outside of Konya we stopped to visit Catalhoyuk, one of the world’s earliest urban settlements. The settlement dates back 9,000 years and was first excavated by <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbOPxFiiZwn5waXMv2dD10mfb-_bt0SBWZbMLqLRJzur6ttjTsuCgcUSd3XmFGIvIs-7iZR7sgDdm1rxhj5Kttemqngm-7HLMcodvmZQ8MwWQ1VMfUiR6y7srquk4Ep66V2nrPKU7B2eY/s1600-h/IMG_4223.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096403811287197298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbOPxFiiZwn5waXMv2dD10mfb-_bt0SBWZbMLqLRJzur6ttjTsuCgcUSd3XmFGIvIs-7iZR7sgDdm1rxhj5Kttemqngm-7HLMcodvmZQ8MwWQ1VMfUiR6y7srquk4Ep66V2nrPKU7B2eY/s200/IMG_4223.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>James Mellaart in 1958. Today we had the privilege of having a private tour of the site by the current head of excavations, Dr. Ian Hodder, of Stanford University. The mounds <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN4d8RzDqvNaKHlcFinosME-rj56C-7zwlBQMFqp2DZStrdXUptR9Q3ryhoPFPtmbOQd5aDFoqzU4p3o70p4ibHa4ZbhpEGHavyftgWUKcnHD3E1e0U6m_g2wxVaLArUL-tzcmBz0cAeW/s1600-h/IMG_4181.JPG"></a>visible on the site have shown to cover the remains of 13 layers of buildings dating from 6800-5700 BCE. The dwellings were mainly mud-brick with an entrance by ladder on the roof. Ancestors were buried under the floors of the homes causing archeologists to deduce that the houses also doubled as shrines. When the house began to wear, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09iKNWEwXASLiZW-HUFmHidmUhk_S02lTK9iAwofRuLgnb1K6BFIQhCQqVHOcMqTo06LRGRlBeD8Us1MKKF9Bq9uz4LD00bnfk5RrnViaKmyQjKYQfvRLUU_peMMj-KxLOECTC17isvNp/s1600-h/IMG_4252.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096404356748043906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09iKNWEwXASLiZW-HUFmHidmUhk_S02lTK9iAwofRuLgnb1K6BFIQhCQqVHOcMqTo06LRGRlBeD8Us1MKKF9Bq9uz4LD00bnfk5RrnViaKmyQjKYQfvRLUU_peMMj-KxLOECTC17isvNp/s200/IMG_4252.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>they were half dismantled and the bottom half filled in (to perhaps allow for further burials) and then the new house was built above it. Many finds have been found throughout the site including remains of the dead, murals, bulls’ head plaster reliefs, mother goddess figurines, tools and the earliest known pottery, most of which is housed in Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.<br />
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Then it was on to Cappadocia! Situated deep in the heart of Turkey, Cappadocia is a world of lunar landscapes and surreal scenery, of ancient churches, and cave dwellings, of picture-<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MVt5LHAtdGmU9YTYHN8i4tByKcYsNiJ4ww3oSy5JFGjsa9Td5KWSZAwb86g3ww1wm4vLwNTaIl-c3weia1JEcnkhZXxVyKoAhS-bHeJ5OXzW1PH0xvpIYh4TytlTslBBDsG_pCCBkP4C/s1600-h/IMG_4313.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477042010089362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MVt5LHAtdGmU9YTYHN8i4tByKcYsNiJ4ww3oSy5JFGjsa9Td5KWSZAwb86g3ww1wm4vLwNTaIl-c3weia1JEcnkhZXxVyKoAhS-bHeJ5OXzW1PH0xvpIYh4TytlTslBBDsG_pCCBkP4C/s200/IMG_4313.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>postcard villages and big cities steeped in tradition. The history of this region is long. Cappadocia was once the heart of the Hitite Empire from 1800 -1200 BCE, then came under Persian control followed by Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman rule. Cappadocia is truly the crossroads of East and West, with its inhabitants having encountered different peoples from all around the region.<br />
Cappadocia’s heavenly backdrop was the result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The area was covered with volcanic tuff that has been sculpted over millennia into fantastic shapes by water and erosion. The landscape therefore is truly out of this world. Huge mushroom shaped stones and “fairy chimneys”, soft ridges and deep valleys, acute edges and mild undulations fill the landscape-all riddled with numerous ancient cave dwellings like a Swiss cheese.<br />
We drove into Cappadocia in the late afternoon and explored the underground city of Kaymakli. This underground hide-away was built thousands of years ago by the inhabitants of this region <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyLEplfCeXHT4pdedTf9lC5VjJdnpU7S-vlr0CZIiG4byORABGqixkdQGCe3COc6botzuyHqrUjKBO1CHFrcUnj13LfwXxmwrwYDmj9alCQUnPW5xb_wZL0wSQrwlfM9JNCYz0h5tTEQs/s1600-h/IMG_4300.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097462756948862786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyLEplfCeXHT4pdedTf9lC5VjJdnpU7S-vlr0CZIiG4byORABGqixkdQGCe3COc6botzuyHqrUjKBO1CHFrcUnj13LfwXxmwrwYDmj9alCQUnPW5xb_wZL0wSQrwlfM9JNCYz0h5tTEQs/s200/IMG_4300.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>to use a place of refuge when invaders threatened them. Here they fortified themselves for up to six months at a time. We toured this underground city with flashlight in hand. It was a truly<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPinee_nsvFOyEfyfsMPc-KjaysSTKj5vEpDwbGIK_MwDS_Qnq9jwNqGFwves415vYKAhEt0svpWrAZaSKGQq3VkSBlwffj-wXPRsaUgI7SoaGYTaNgmXAQqe5rL5fyEGzt3ydVa34YkZM/s1600-h/IMG_4302.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097479082119555026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPinee_nsvFOyEfyfsMPc-KjaysSTKj5vEpDwbGIK_MwDS_Qnq9jwNqGFwves415vYKAhEt0svpWrAZaSKGQq3VkSBlwffj-wXPRsaUgI7SoaGYTaNgmXAQqe5rL5fyEGzt3ydVa34YkZM/s200/IMG_4302.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> other worldly encounter. We walked down and up stairways of stone, and through low, narrow passageways at times practically on our knees. To imagine that thousands of people lived in these sunless, cramped, damp surrounding really gave me pause. I passed the kitchen, the church, the catacombs. Room after room after room we explored going down in total four levels. All these amazing rooms are underground, all carved from the tuff stone. It was a delight to step out into the sunshine after our tour (of under an hour). I could only imagine how the ancient Hitites must have felt after months underground.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWDxqJIpgyM25LYUwJHw6yZVZlQ3MWyta1ECoro6NJ0Iw06T2B0-bMHFWItHcnObmqQC80DXv992XIXrf3KquWUsM2jyII-zx5gi5plFVWPGQvee0EzjzwbIa67Bb3_g1duKWab0EN8G9/s1600-h/IMG_4316.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097480018422425586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWDxqJIpgyM25LYUwJHw6yZVZlQ3MWyta1ECoro6NJ0Iw06T2B0-bMHFWItHcnObmqQC80DXv992XIXrf3KquWUsM2jyII-zx5gi5plFVWPGQvee0EzjzwbIa67Bb3_g1duKWab0EN8G9/s200/IMG_4316.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Last stop for the day was a visit to a modern day “cave dwelling” home. These were friends of our tour guide, Serhan and they allowed us the privilege of stopping by their home for some Turkish apple tea and a short visit. This couple have lived in this cave home they dug out of the rock 25 years ago. It was a lovely hmome and oh what a view!</div>
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Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-89412195610969036302017-03-06T11:30:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:27:38.121-07:00Cappadocia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrd551jmc6afa274w2I3Jfl7eL67bFAZT-1rXi8W3WvaQNOhXaKgzxYeNIQdsEEm8rGs7L8N84KDZk_m-r56E2b-h05bYFtSetZ8IfxoKZsZa7CECb4F-y6WsZl2PSB2AHcFEALJz0C1O/s1600-h/IMG_4402.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097783127149406338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrd551jmc6afa274w2I3Jfl7eL67bFAZT-1rXi8W3WvaQNOhXaKgzxYeNIQdsEEm8rGs7L8N84KDZk_m-r56E2b-h05bYFtSetZ8IfxoKZsZa7CECb4F-y6WsZl2PSB2AHcFEALJz0C1O/s200/IMG_4402.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Today was a full day in Cappadocia, “Land of the Beautiful h<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_5fUZ2ji9RFY9NCwHxiu63E60zmHuUsuzFxSeQpqfHhMSXgDv3941W8gycGBPkRVb4Ey47CSZPukhyphenhyphenEuXGkU7dA3b-HTnBwabdalCLtj-jirR9br8YId_IMFRugDjSmL8gRvoxCueLDg/s1600-h/IMG_4392.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097782723422480482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_5fUZ2ji9RFY9NCwHxiu63E60zmHuUsuzFxSeQpqfHhMSXgDv3941W8gycGBPkRVb4Ey47CSZPukhyphenhyphenEuXGkU7dA3b-HTnBwabdalCLtj-jirR9br8YId_IMFRugDjSmL8gRvoxCueLDg/s200/IMG_4392.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>orses.” We started this incredible day with a trip to Zelve Open Air Museum. Zelve was once a monastic retreat from the 9th to the 13th century. There we visited some incredible rock cut churches, including, Balikli Kilse, or The Fish Church named for the image of Christ as fish painted on the wall above the altar.<br />
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Then it was on to “Anatolian Carpets” and a presentation on <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnbpL3Md0WUovVufTvXEfjMC9iH7E7-8rEHVj-lYutlaM64UJHF8jIz35hDcwSXGqusMuhSah_LDp4Vuz_KAczD_c40GMhOW-dDLf4LUiNDfudTl46AaZLBUZ0pAQRaL50BDbXR5QpBhyphenhyphen/s1600-h/IMG_4339.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097798284088994130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnbpL3Md0WUovVufTvXEfjMC9iH7E7-8rEHVj-lYutlaM64UJHF8jIz35hDcwSXGqusMuhSah_LDp4Vuz_KAczD_c40GMhOW-dDLf4LUiNDfudTl46AaZLBUZ0pAQRaL50BDbXR5QpBhyphenhyphen/s200/IMG_4339.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><a href="http://www.turkishembassy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=315&Itemid=332">Turkish Carpets</a>. Carpet weaving is an old tradition in Turkey going back to the 12th century. . Traditionally carpets were woven by village women for their dowries. During Ottoman times carpets were used in the homes of the Sultan and of the upper classes. I learned quite a bit about the types of Turkish carpets as we toured the factory -wool on wool, wool on cotton, and silk carpets. We were shown their weavers-all women. (The men in the area are all trained as potters <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV4Uwrc6iuHbjmtLUsEnSMYzFaq9JCuzRj294-ZUXv1E28Goe1NKK-ZwLorgQrJy9Ltrxvcrp7_zlX4g7BQHTdoIujcS7oRPQSWpAtBEvaWt01k447Y3BJ2E-3nC-GYOUYTXpRotkO9YR/s1600-h/IMG_4367.JPG"></a>traditionally.) </div>
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In addition to the women in the factory, “Anatolian Carpets” outsources many weaves throughout Turkey to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17LwrAHEhoec4OAUB-KNv87P0JuzJyhrTmgi0iQcfxuKPECeEo1H-HxYIp_Bli7suVlmHKxxHVyI8KbqQMHMcnxeVpkjRgPf_dPJ7mIYJj0USoc736HbJqyQ8ug3xqPkToOdU-YgVB9_9/s1600-h/IMG_4374.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097781129989613650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17LwrAHEhoec4OAUB-KNv87P0JuzJyhrTmgi0iQcfxuKPECeEo1H-HxYIp_Bli7suVlmHKxxHVyI8KbqQMHMcnxeVpkjRgPf_dPJ7mIYJj0USoc736HbJqyQ8ug3xqPkToOdU-YgVB9_9/s200/IMG_4374.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>make artisan quality hand-made carpets. After an enjoyable presentation of various styles and types of carpets we were allowed to roam the factory for a carpet of our very own. I won’t tell you how much I spent, but I left very pleased (and that’s all that matters after all, right?) I bought a lovely wool on wool carpet to put on the side of my bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-9iEReFHzEXQ5_0Rc6lg6QaNHlpUwvrfS7F1Z7rRQfiVP_RJB09odYFvX98Mb1HF_Yx91uKPkcytm3sGfFH1KSUeHERzwWmq7TejKzbCttGjCEhkEdnJzWh3kkM3iNmWUTJrOcS2NPdI/s1600-h/IMG_4446.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097786709152131266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-9iEReFHzEXQ5_0Rc6lg6QaNHlpUwvrfS7F1Z7rRQfiVP_RJB09odYFvX98Mb1HF_Yx91uKPkcytm3sGfFH1KSUeHERzwWmq7TejKzbCttGjCEhkEdnJzWh3kkM3iNmWUTJrOcS2NPdI/s200/IMG_4446.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>In the afternoon we explored the Goreme Open Air Museum. One of Turkey’s Cultural Heritage sites, Goreme is a valley beyond words. It is a cluster of rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries. Cappadocia was once the home of 1500 Orthodox Churches. First built during the time of Christian persecution, in the first through third centuries BCE, these churches were built in secret and in remote places to escape discovery. Once Christianity <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04vYiyerLkz7kG8oO-2sw-w7tvnjEC4dQSzfDoWfwQSRdm3c8H7goNgeTvGkX6IvlrfZ697ehtoVC8GtztYjmtcdt32DY6Xp6E2VhNl7G_g_FQHPRurKDo44joFm4Hy8fXCR4uPASeUck/s1600-h/IMG_4437.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097786691972262050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04vYiyerLkz7kG8oO-2sw-w7tvnjEC4dQSzfDoWfwQSRdm3c8H7goNgeTvGkX6IvlrfZ697ehtoVC8GtztYjmtcdt32DY6Xp6E2VhNl7G_g_FQHPRurKDo44joFm4Hy8fXCR4uPASeUck/s200/IMG_4437.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>was made the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine the Great these churches continued to grow in number. The insides of these churches were covered in elaborate wall paintings depicting Christ and Mary as well as bible <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQTUWQ1IYbsY02RjB1kJBCroT8Q1nB_5Kz_OrdvBcvg5hDvPom-sUaqsgncDTL2gJ5lvAkoaIft9tQkCELbMk4fVx95DpJZfdxPNgOFVNUXWrAMEekCINKobZScMTY3wxskFB9Bgrjy7U/s1600-h/IMG_4461.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097790613277403410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQTUWQ1IYbsY02RjB1kJBCroT8Q1nB_5Kz_OrdvBcvg5hDvPom-sUaqsgncDTL2gJ5lvAkoaIft9tQkCELbMk4fVx95DpJZfdxPNgOFVNUXWrAMEekCINKobZScMTY3wxskFB9Bgrjy7U/s200/IMG_4461.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>stories, the gospel writers and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AmA7w3904kjrVKC2mhYRbncRi5NGhg0nnxK5p4knWU_GUO7v3_dhD7wXwglVWK6jBl4ygITneay0HK0AHveCpXp4hFfV8IHhlZTarHq0nQlYiRSWxYzUOxrXZDfSep8oZZXrTQSScl0x/s1600-h/IMG_4435.JPG"></a>various early Orthodox saints. One church we visited was the Yilanli Killse, or the Snake Church. I loved the fresco of St. George and St. Theodore attacking the dragon as well as the fresco of St. Helena and Constantine the Great holding the True Cross. The Karanlik Killse, or Dark Church had stunning recently restored frescoes of Christ Pontocrator, Christ on the Cross and the Betrayal by Judas.<br />
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I spent some time today just wandering alone through this breathtaking land and found myself greatly moved by the beauty surrounding me. I ended my afternoon here at Goreme with a "must do" when traveling along the Silk Road-a camel ride. Can you imagine <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRvWJ8Q8NKhJrbDoSFF_3Y2zys5U5zbIxVt3-T0lFAh-IhvzpF_bCMeNEm2MhqPu6b6nmV74ut4a5Pr2WMa9erXH5W2oTSz1kD-aWJ-3OSJpM07z6BWula4-DIaLMyjTd50Rp54uSZC67/s1600-h/IMG_4472.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097791403551385890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRvWJ8Q8NKhJrbDoSFF_3Y2zys5U5zbIxVt3-T0lFAh-IhvzpF_bCMeNEm2MhqPu6b6nmV74ut4a5Pr2WMa9erXH5W2oTSz1kD-aWJ-3OSJpM07z6BWula4-DIaLMyjTd50Rp54uSZC67/s200/IMG_4472.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>traveling hundreds of miles on this big beast? Ouch!<br />
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As if this top ten day could not have been any better, we ended it with an evening trip to a Whirling Dervish Ceremony.....We gathered in an old 13th century Caravansarai after nightfall through the illuminate gate and main courtyard of the caravanserai. We sat down on raised seats <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGZZxs9FY_7mxHoz9FZODp1s1gdcAvQQr83MKL3YtWnqzkYAKLkkHk0kdLChMKCdHxNiskgYKXpqCcQcouy9B5eTCqriA2Ocy8gs5p6DKC8YLZTzXC4EVbfepVM6J2ZLG1sEzxgGkJikG/s1600-h/Dervishes.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097797618369063234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGZZxs9FY_7mxHoz9FZODp1s1gdcAvQQr83MKL3YtWnqzkYAKLkkHk0kdLChMKCdHxNiskgYKXpqCcQcouy9B5eTCqriA2Ocy8gs5p6DKC8YLZTzXC4EVbfepVM6J2ZLG1sEzxgGkJikG/s200/Dervishes.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>surrounding a rectangular platform. The room was faintly lit. The Mevlevi ceremony was about to begin. Out walked the Dervishers in black robes and tall turbans. They bowed to us and sat down in the center. An opening verse from the Koran was chanted aloud. The drum, and the reed flute was played. And then the Dervishers began their mystical dance of union with God. I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKeWdcxFpTle_vTI3c-bd1I_x-jfBHWvYuhoG8FAp6ksC8B7ENIy_tP8d7NKUEKa6r2YH5WwYyk6bkLepzMOMOR3Pq3HrW3Hs03ZDmvReSz2D0CqyTitSJ9iraqRxV_l6te9nYP3zv4U4/s1600-h/IMG_4486.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097796454432926002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKeWdcxFpTle_vTI3c-bd1I_x-jfBHWvYuhoG8FAp6ksC8B7ENIy_tP8d7NKUEKa6r2YH5WwYyk6bkLepzMOMOR3Pq3HrW3Hs03ZDmvReSz2D0CqyTitSJ9iraqRxV_l6te9nYP3zv4U4/s200/IMG_4486.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>sat in the evening darkness entranced by their swirling, graceful movements. One hand up and one hand down to symbolize their role as vessels of God’s grace poured onto all present. Around and around they went, led by their master. Their black cloaks drop to reveal their white skirt and top undergarments-symbolic of their burial shroud. Their conical felt caps symbolic of their tombstones. Now the Dervishers are in union with God and have left behind their worldly attachments. The music is so uplifting, the movements so trancelike. I am lost in the mystical feeling of it all. When they stop their dancing, the Koran is chanted again wishing peace on all of us. The mystical union is sealed. The ritual dance is over.</div>
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Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-89125419499050573592017-03-05T11:31:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:28:02.645-07:00Balloon Ride Over Cappadocia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib-sWuoYMvBbm3M11YLA7NbOZt6zCloX0g1wYOac3TDHYSAZxqarr7LOi8tp5Gq1EVaj3jkcuhelCmsHbyTMe7CUqtfpn98SWveBabrSzuPUrpoaN1flVhfm_VMgYe47Opac9wQzfwD-e/s1600-h/IMG_4507.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097801982055836066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib-sWuoYMvBbm3M11YLA7NbOZt6zCloX0g1wYOac3TDHYSAZxqarr7LOi8tp5Gq1EVaj3jkcuhelCmsHbyTMe7CUqtfpn98SWveBabrSzuPUrpoaN1flVhfm_VMgYe47Opac9wQzfwD-e/s200/IMG_4507.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWv0OercivDJed4lzsIRXqdhSlWqrs-aK-N3X52l9TxNgyDHsqqCm8EE2KA9jjtjNv2zppEAdhm7RGutkwYf_IoujhpI9jfmwWvj0J-2sbBPh5t3pw8e2EgqxXaNH6kmXdNWGql3NatuF/s1600-h/IMG_4586.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097801324925839746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWv0OercivDJed4lzsIRXqdhSlWqrs-aK-N3X52l9TxNgyDHsqqCm8EE2KA9jjtjNv2zppEAdhm7RGutkwYf_IoujhpI9jfmwWvj0J-2sbBPh5t3pw8e2EgqxXaNH6kmXdNWGql3NatuF/s200/IMG_4586.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
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4:30 am....That was time I had to meet <a href="http://www.kapadokyaballoons.com/">Kapadokya Balloons </a>down in the hotel lobby for an incredible once in a lifetime experience. For over an hour, as the sun was beginning to rise over the magical land of Cappadocia, I enjoyed a beautiful hot air balloon ride from 3,000 feet above.<br />
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The hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia was surely the highlight of this day. Before leaving the Cappadocia region we went to Avanos, a town famous for its pottery and visited a pottery workshop. Afterwards, we boarded the bus and headed towards Sivas.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-51368348619092932582017-03-04T06:29:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:30:36.614-07:00Central Anatolia Tour (Day I)<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmgM4mV1n3CMyhqEhxGZB80UKMtCuodoPZ0VhH1V_jAo3Id3sDl7VvlCuj-to_XU8LJVfHt1v-ucsHhqezPirT05KCPnLXTUi2nCWXyu-xuEVq2s78uusfg8CNRnCYDv4w6TDmFwK8efD/s1600-h/IMG_4623.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097809390874421682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmgM4mV1n3CMyhqEhxGZB80UKMtCuodoPZ0VhH1V_jAo3Id3sDl7VvlCuj-to_XU8LJVfHt1v-ucsHhqezPirT05KCPnLXTUi2nCWXyu-xuEVq2s78uusfg8CNRnCYDv4w6TDmFwK8efD/s200/IMG_4623.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> We stayed overnight in Sivas, our most Eastern Turkish town. I felt as if I had come to a part of Turkey where tourists are not so commonplace and it felt exciting to feel the east closing in on me. While staying at the hotel in Sivas, a few in our group were invited to attend a night before the wedding party for the bride and all her family and friends. It was so nice to be welcomed to see the happy occasion. I saw the "bride to be" dance in her red dress with her future husband and then when he kissed her goodbye and left, the real party began. The women at the event danced and ate cookies and cake and had a wonderful time. Later in the evening my friend Sue went down and had her hand painted with henna, along with the bride, a tradition in Turkey.<br />
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Sivas is located on the eastern end of the Central Anatolia Region and at its highest point. Its <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBpy5llkgwehwN2eMovrTRYa6ABpoY3geb_w17iiPcelv1rlS3bCy4fXRrekfS2ZeR3nUp4qa8WnmA03UI3uYr9auVJFGDJZk1izFCQttc7P3nCjLtbQBy0bdMN9nBGzZuJlntP0N7bpM/s1600-h/IMG_4624.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097811190465718802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBpy5llkgwehwN2eMovrTRYa6ABpoY3geb_w17iiPcelv1rlS3bCy4fXRrekfS2ZeR3nUp4qa8WnmA03UI3uYr9auVJFGDJZk1izFCQttc7P3nCjLtbQBy0bdMN9nBGzZuJlntP0N7bpM/s200/IMG_4624.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>history goes back to 1500 BCE when it was established as a Hitite town, and then in turn was ruled by Assyrians, Medes, and Persians before coming under the rule of kings of Cappadocia and Pontus. eventually it fell to the Romans and finally the Turks. It is located at the junction point of the Persian and Baghdad caravan routes and was once a busy commercial center. It has some of the finest Seljuk Turk buildings ever erected.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_chgMU3qe8JCgwPzt1jpgdRJymLJHU4jNCY6mBqSvuAZfGXMdoN5nxiTMwwm-H-MxGfqh7kcutrhDIuv4ZSL-plJcVK3iibrWV55LdSKE0vSAlTh9oxcyquteeyjwfkIXPWJRkZxQ61nv/s1600-h/IMG_4631.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097810116723894738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_chgMU3qe8JCgwPzt1jpgdRJymLJHU4jNCY6mBqSvuAZfGXMdoN5nxiTMwwm-H-MxGfqh7kcutrhDIuv4ZSL-plJcVK3iibrWV55LdSKE0vSAlTh9oxcyquteeyjwfkIXPWJRkZxQ61nv/s200/IMG_4631.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>We spent the morning exploring Sivas <a href="http://www.allaboutturkey.com/medrese.htm">medresses.</a> We started with the Sifaiye Medresse, a medieval medical school dating back to 1217. Inside now is a lovely rose garden and tea tables. Just opposite it is the Cifte Minare Medrese (Seminary <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAfRlcX_pWlaWINxWrfJydC3HXaRpujJmMvm24yatDd9eULok1HAebt49Wi8le2o3aY4KboM6aSlU7ZoaFPMRnSsPz-ps1Sceo1yTxbXGprt5zQFqC0J1flLplRWWAOyWrItMTkyEtjbn/s1600-h/IMG_4627.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097810357242063330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAfRlcX_pWlaWINxWrfJydC3HXaRpujJmMvm24yatDd9eULok1HAebt49Wi8le2o3aY4KboM6aSlU7ZoaFPMRnSsPz-ps1Sceo1yTxbXGprt5zQFqC0J1flLplRWWAOyWrItMTkyEtjbn/s200/IMG_4627.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>of the Twin Towers) finished in 1271. Unfortunately all that is left of this medresse is the portal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk9b42lXV-ncsFZ_-8bTj5dOaFJ8BPKg69nbcCGGzLPCRtS9hosFO95jluSqyFopKOFbYrhaI8fu8bXvjn786hqU3a8SsvVY8OJiTAbrzxVMkqeqvNiSavPaAImMevVqtJAjGq0ZesueQ/s1600-h/IMG_4634.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105975345081306162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk9b42lXV-ncsFZ_-8bTj5dOaFJ8BPKg69nbcCGGzLPCRtS9hosFO95jluSqyFopKOFbYrhaI8fu8bXvjn786hqU3a8SsvVY8OJiTAbrzxVMkqeqvNiSavPaAImMevVqtJAjGq0ZesueQ/s200/IMG_4634.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>We walked next to the Buruciye Medressi, built in 1271. This medresse was once the mathematics and science school. Currently inside is a lovely tea garden. On our way out we were approached by some adorable young boys selling pretzels. Hospitality for <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVM7l3t83AoNuh6tVmtlZbogiRQn8rNObNwrS4UEvCGiOy3hUla5r9jQDheVHefO9_Yq-pAP2LLce_SyCJD__3mNfS8yQv9cQrLvHhP5fBi0_hyphenhyphenoBl5w8uOkQuQ0oFPpHA3qSQAfGeYca/s1600-h/IMG_4635.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097810855458269698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVM7l3t83AoNuh6tVmtlZbogiRQn8rNObNwrS4UEvCGiOy3hUla5r9jQDheVHefO9_Yq-pAP2LLce_SyCJD__3mNfS8yQv9cQrLvHhP5fBi0_hyphenhyphenoBl5w8uOkQuQ0oFPpHA3qSQAfGeYca/s200/IMG_4635.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>sure!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEfHhHv0BX7GBklt3pMccXCIzcGJnRleqx-ON88WClM-VjV0f7oDFnT4Dj40K6NbJnTISFbYWScpX7sm44VoUtM042TLOw2q6YbTpup5nxUPCUyF_NmB4Ktup9C67Z47xtYIgpACQPy-C/s1600-h/IMG_4650.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097819256414300722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEfHhHv0BX7GBklt3pMccXCIzcGJnRleqx-ON88WClM-VjV0f7oDFnT4Dj40K6NbJnTISFbYWScpX7sm44VoUtM042TLOw2q6YbTpup5nxUPCUyF_NmB4Ktup9C67Z47xtYIgpACQPy-C/s200/IMG_4650.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>After the morning tour we headed to Tokat and a visit to the <em>Gok Medrese</em>. Gok<em> </em>means blue in Turkish and the building's blue tiles is where the<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxc9Q_bByt5YtIO95sjTEOsoAH9puWAl07X6aVcHpTLU5V9hBdDwk5obtbFI2eFs4FmdeQLqKCSmczhCXiRTPw_oDQli9-Gma-yF5BVi3s2gTQNDLrK_naUyEyHpmdrdFI2_wKG1XvVkr/s1600-h/IMG_4643.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097819793285212738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxc9Q_bByt5YtIO95sjTEOsoAH9puWAl07X6aVcHpTLU5V9hBdDwk5obtbFI2eFs4FmdeQLqKCSmczhCXiRTPw_oDQli9-Gma-yF5BVi3s2gTQNDLrK_naUyEyHpmdrdFI2_wKG1XvVkr/s200/IMG_4643.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> medrese received its name. It was built in 1277 and was used as a hospital until 1811. Now it's a museum that contains Stone and Bronze Age artifacts from excavations at Masat Hoyuk, relics fromTokat's churches, (including a wax effigy of St. Christina martyred during the reign of Diocletian), tools and weapons, Korans and Islamic calligraphy and an excellent costume display. On the way to lunch, we walked by the <em>Tas Han</em>, an Ottoman caravanserai and by the <em>Hatuniye Mosque and Medresse</em> dating from 1485. And finally right across the street from where we ate lunch we saw (but unfortunately <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E7dOn66WThhTtm7SsE-StIgpY8G1R9EvLURlxwK88sKbvlfTppUq4Rb7rv3J3slTwXwImi4ngMQU0lgd1_g2sTqf4klGf1dYVuHKi8rLdXexdDlDH29iJBpu5vNdv62OpGtz1F6UDHBc/s1600-h/IMG_4651.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097820622213900882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E7dOn66WThhTtm7SsE-StIgpY8G1R9EvLURlxwK88sKbvlfTppUq4Rb7rv3J3slTwXwImi4ngMQU0lgd1_g2sTqf4klGf1dYVuHKi8rLdXexdDlDH29iJBpu5vNdv62OpGtz1F6UDHBc/s200/IMG_4651.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>had no time to enjoy) the wonderful <em>Ali Pasa Hamam.</em> This bath house was built in 1572 for Ali Pasa, one of the sons of Sulleyman the Magnificent. I also bought a pretzel from some more "pretzel boys."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SfHdVeC3dgEdWN063qpr60aSuI_ZafG31EVDLd5RlBp6_23jQtfZn26YbDYNlMIs6teU3C3VcZFOSUQqVKsxerqMB2wcXiS5GZq9-x68FNIzgIuAZzECjISN0ufuxz6eBje0_xt2ZMio/s1600-h/IMG_4653.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097821163379780194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SfHdVeC3dgEdWN063qpr60aSuI_ZafG31EVDLd5RlBp6_23jQtfZn26YbDYNlMIs6teU3C3VcZFOSUQqVKsxerqMB2wcXiS5GZq9-x68FNIzgIuAZzECjISN0ufuxz6eBje0_xt2ZMio/s200/IMG_4653.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
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Next it was on the bus again to <a href="http://www.amasya.gov.tr/httpeng/index.asp?PageNo=5&deger1=4">Amasya</a>, a beautiful city between the Black Sea and inner Turkey. It is described as one of the prettiest towns in all of Turkey. Amasya was once an Hitite town and later conquered by Alexander the great. It was later controlled by Persian provincial governers and became the capital of a great Pontic Kingdom. The golden age of the Kingdom of Pontus lasted until 47 BCE when the Romans conquered this area. On the way to Amasya our bus passed through the same pass that Ceaser's troops passed in Central Anatolia. Nearby this area, Julius Ceaser was recorded as saying, "Veni, vedi, vici...I came, I saw, I conquered," made in reference to his victory over the Kingdom of Pontus.<br />
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Once in Amasya we walked along the Yesilirmak River and had a "off the itineray" pleasure. A <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA2fUJtQ0AJeFQIGs1sn7mYdeS84Byk8R7YvhnJz5CptQuW5n1pQZwVzx1zDmdt-5Yt2E1_fMXJ13TMxmczNQRiEKmVpvCK3NulY35QW40kD3su9H18mvXlHZeTGcWl8-wuQBa0seh0hk/s1600-h/IMG_4675.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097907049840798338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA2fUJtQ0AJeFQIGs1sn7mYdeS84Byk8R7YvhnJz5CptQuW5n1pQZwVzx1zDmdt-5Yt2E1_fMXJ13TMxmczNQRiEKmVpvCK3NulY35QW40kD3su9H18mvXlHZeTGcWl8-wuQBa0seh0hk/s200/IMG_4675.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>small group of us popped into the Mihri Katun women' s tea house for a cup of cay and women's talk. (Mary Khatun was Amasya's first female poet in the 1400s). It was so delightful for the small group of us American and Turkish women to laugh together few a while and share our stories in this tea house. When we left, we hugged goodbye and really felt like we had connected with each other. It was well worth the reprimand from our illustrious leader once when we returned!<br />
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That night we stayed in the Apple Palace hotel over looking the Tombs of the Pontic Kings, which were cut deep into the rock face on the bank of the river. At dinner that night up near our hotel we had a beautiful view of the Pontic Tombs illuminated in the evening darkness.</div>
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Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-26874440720700888032017-03-03T06:23:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:30:56.829-07:00Central Anatolia Tour (Day II)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocwh55kkYEhgAc4_JlTvF5sAlhd-9n0KbRJsxqKsfeB51lxWX8wrYmkszFh4Zyx6I7iYPj2OZiEuEoqV9TFrg-IL0RXyP7xgrvol7daxhHdEz8h5IiS9bvro16vje4wVWQZyuTwLfj31j/s1600-h/IMG_4690.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098182924180155026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocwh55kkYEhgAc4_JlTvF5sAlhd-9n0KbRJsxqKsfeB51lxWX8wrYmkszFh4Zyx6I7iYPj2OZiEuEoqV9TFrg-IL0RXyP7xgrvol7daxhHdEz8h5IiS9bvro16vje4wVWQZyuTwLfj31j/s200/IMG_4690.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>This morning we drove to the ancient center of the Hitite culture at Hattusas. Hattusas is near modern day town of Bogazkale. The ancient Hitites once commanded a vast Middle Eastern Empire around 2,000 BCE from Babylon in the East, Syria to the south and to the borders of Egypt in the west. Hattusas was their capital city. They worshipped over a thousand gods, most importantly was Teshub, the storm god and Hepatu, the sun goddess. They wrote in cunneiform style and these tablets reveal a society that was well ordered with more than 200 laws. They went into decline around 1250 BCE, being taken over by the Phrygians.<br />
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First we explored the Hitite religious sanctuary called the Yazilikaya, or Inscribed Rock. In these galleries of stone we saw reliefs of numerous goddesses and gods. We next explored the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_Ac784PC6SqnHo-Pfx0bFFaG0NgnI6pOrrFdBQnWlmbm0u65BzrTbAjvrLScUH8qTkE0I808YM45Gt1jJGavYxv4BVPKKCDJXCzd66fRjNLINs9zASldKPk1RmTxwUnn8-9EJFNf1Arm/s1600-h/IMG_4711.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098183839008189106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_Ac784PC6SqnHo-Pfx0bFFaG0NgnI6pOrrFdBQnWlmbm0u65BzrTbAjvrLScUH8qTkE0I808YM45Gt1jJGavYxv4BVPKKCDJXCzd66fRjNLINs9zASldKPk1RmTxwUnn8-9EJFNf1Arm/s200/IMG_4711.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>Main Temple Complex, dating from the 14th century BCE. We walked through the processional street and saw the main temple surrounded by storerooms which contained food stuffs, money, and cuneiform tablets, amongst other valuables. We also saw the green cubic rock, supposedly one of only two in the world and a present from Ramses II after signing the Kadesh peace treaty. Next, we drove up to the defensive walls and gates of the city. The most impressive was the Lion Gate, with two stone lions on either side of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-rhmhrBdR2efkzcvaKX0ztIzTVMB4S5PbpzcBxAqE3FkBS06Jo8ioTVZA1hgj7NfclO81SUMdiPIRDQiZhyPntTSdHnBr51O3z3lfJBgNoKt_eb7W4PCvJKsX9GW9tI0rf2RlRZ-u8lD/s1600-h/IMG_4722.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098184135360932546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-rhmhrBdR2efkzcvaKX0ztIzTVMB4S5PbpzcBxAqE3FkBS06Jo8ioTVZA1hgj7NfclO81SUMdiPIRDQiZhyPntTSdHnBr51O3z3lfJBgNoKt_eb7W4PCvJKsX9GW9tI0rf2RlRZ-u8lD/s200/IMG_4722.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>gateway to protect the city from evil spirits. These walls, built alomost 4,000 years ago, illustrate the Hitites engineering ingenuity. They had a great ability to build along with the terrain plus and ability to transform the landscape. It must have been an impressive view to any approaching army! Next, we drove down to the Sphinx Gate and walked through the 70m long tunnel used <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpTkQm_yCJqSok-2cCzgWoT-mdWra9Mv22omyR4B1Bjr33ggWCGhRlsNATJdDJYGqQUcP0zjg08MFQkaJhLd0jb-IeT4tNnWmCdsr05LJt7SmEm1FZRL4zPoRe0OYhOBSRDlwQL4ze0vs/s1600-h/IMG_4732.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098184599217400530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpTkQm_yCJqSok-2cCzgWoT-mdWra9Mv22omyR4B1Bjr33ggWCGhRlsNATJdDJYGqQUcP0zjg08MFQkaJhLd0jb-IeT4tNnWmCdsr05LJt7SmEm1FZRL4zPoRe0OYhOBSRDlwQL4ze0vs/s200/IMG_4732.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>as a route for Hitite soldiers defending the walls from attacking invaders. We then carefully climbed down from the rampart via the monumental stairway and enjoyed the view over Bogazkale.<br />
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On the bus again to Ankara, the capital of the Turkish Republic! It was our last and longest bus journey of these past two weeks, but finally we arrived to the Gordion Hotel in Ankara in time <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKZaOf6zAf_i2HIszt3dQezugkN9cvxdlfDNc184nMZxX9A1pPLlbC7_PX_WkOHfN8-LGVhE_VfaukgDbnYpuv-Svio-AL6CVMcGBt1xI0n8dYb7pxaYMvBhqUz2wJRPfQksL1otVRuuL/s1600-h/IMG_4856.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099299917931301698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKZaOf6zAf_i2HIszt3dQezugkN9cvxdlfDNc184nMZxX9A1pPLlbC7_PX_WkOHfN8-LGVhE_VfaukgDbnYpuv-Svio-AL6CVMcGBt1xI0n8dYb7pxaYMvBhqUz2wJRPfQksL1otVRuuL/s200/IMG_4856.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>for dinner and a little gift shopping along the main street. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP5maUebQGr1XsUXpPs9O-NIJ8Q6mxdE8wvYt8faB-pd3GvikPKNFjBLlKdoODcp9Mt4zqV2Vd2v-O4ttXDSKfBBx-EaIOM9xw4oGd6fmiB_YEKUoRyoRpHuSsWoHge1lJKjUq4A10iSa/s1600-h/kizilay_ankara_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099298917203921714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP5maUebQGr1XsUXpPs9O-NIJ8Q6mxdE8wvYt8faB-pd3GvikPKNFjBLlKdoODcp9Mt4zqV2Vd2v-O4ttXDSKfBBx-EaIOM9xw4oGd6fmiB_YEKUoRyoRpHuSsWoHge1lJKjUq4A10iSa/s200/kizilay_ankara_1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Ankara is the capital and center of secularism in modern Turkey. It's Turkey's second largest city after Istanbul. It's history goes back to the time when Ankara (then called Angora) was once part of the Phrygian empire. It prospered at the intersection of the north-south/east-west trade routes. Later it was taken over by Alexander the Great, claimed by the Selecuids, and finally occupied by the Galatians (Gauls) who invaded Anatolia around 250 BCE. Julius Ceaser annexed it to Rome in 25 BCE and named it Ankyra. It was controlled next by the Byzantines and Seljuk Turks briefly before the Ottomans possessed it. Angora was known at this time for its gsoft haired goats but little more until 1923 when Ataturk chose Ankora as the capital of the new republic.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-52204615372172888982017-03-02T07:10:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:31:12.864-07:00Ankara-Cental Anatolia Tour (Day III)<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkjq0zpy-A45M_eAVsCueOLfbx_WJDEJtvi4pwJqDwxoncj47tMNywnWD31rxnfxBXHp-ST-tfMmkU-tX1rLPbUgIvOLYNJWnBEC3nv6vD7l9LZ92OSRSBELDgfYGD-xr5Cp1-MoOhH6G/s1600-h/IMG_4792.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099345805361892178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkjq0zpy-A45M_eAVsCueOLfbx_WJDEJtvi4pwJqDwxoncj47tMNywnWD31rxnfxBXHp-ST-tfMmkU-tX1rLPbUgIvOLYNJWnBEC3nv6vD7l9LZ92OSRSBELDgfYGD-xr5Cp1-MoOhH6G/s200/IMG_4792.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Today was our last full day in Turkey. We spent the morning visiting the <a href="http://www.transanatolie.com/English/Turkey/In%20Brief/Museums/AMM/anatolian_civilisations_museum.htm">Museum of Anatolian Civilization</a>. The museum has priceless collections stretching from prehistoric times (we saw many artifacts from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Catalhoyuk</span> site we visited) to the classical (again we saw many artifacts from the ancient sites we visited-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pergamun</span>, Ephesus, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Aphrodisias</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hieropolis</span>). It is one of the world's greatest museums and is housed in a restored Ottoman Han. Then it was lunch with the Eurasian Strategic Research Foundation followed by an informative briefing on Turkish domestic/foreign policy issues.<br />
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In the afternoon we visited the Mausoleum of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mustafa</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kemal</span> Ataturk, the founder and first <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVsubDjlZuM6bgiNp04zYxzc0PyL6ja9yi9tv3xv6dtXaHxHGaASi6GCbbHJ02IViqq63CQw70PGOT7vvbi_KOeTH750x90axBmOtn7skpzNIFJZm6oVZyFdLU8xhEXl1v-gq2lWxrvhp/s1600-h/IMG_4803.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099346183319014242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVsubDjlZuM6bgiNp04zYxzc0PyL6ja9yi9tv3xv6dtXaHxHGaASi6GCbbHJ02IViqq63CQw70PGOT7vvbi_KOeTH750x90axBmOtn7skpzNIFJZm6oVZyFdLU8xhEXl1v-gq2lWxrvhp/s200/IMG_4803.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>President of the Republic of Turkey. After spending two weeks here in Turkey, it was fitting to end our trip here with this visit. His presence has been felt constantly...his image is in every classroom in Turkey, statues of him are in all public institutions and main squares throughout the country. School children learn about his life story and on November 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> of every year, the country comes to a standstill on the stroke of 9:05 to commemorate his death in 1938. Ataturk is Turkey's hero for sure and perhaps it can be argued more than that...for he is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">embodiment</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Turkey's</span> secular modernization, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kemalism</span>" and as such a counter to of the growing Islamic ideological movement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2w8By-77APRtgG-70aMW4TrOvzUPdoo97Q3cLcwd9i_xOCG5JmOPYJ-mL7yiXnR7SSn-XSySzE35H_yTpa3u3AHJxIqFSv4UGP6ypwbADGH2zVuOwrKqzSpDxfGLSwNHMQc67x6pybwv/s1600-h/IMG_4809.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099346535506332530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2w8By-77APRtgG-70aMW4TrOvzUPdoo97Q3cLcwd9i_xOCG5JmOPYJ-mL7yiXnR7SSn-XSySzE35H_yTpa3u3AHJxIqFSv4UGP6ypwbADGH2zVuOwrKqzSpDxfGLSwNHMQc67x6pybwv/s200/IMG_4809.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>So we made our way past two towers, down a stone walkway, flanked by two lions, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Hittite</span> symbols of power and strength. The design of the stones forced upon us the need to always look down instilling in us a posture of respect in the presence of this great man's final resting place. We eventually came to the museum of Ataturk, where we walked through what has to be described as a surreal journey through Ataturk's life and accomplishments, memorabilia and personal effects. And finally we walked up the grand marble stairway of Ataturk's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Mausoleum</span> and through the huge bronze doors into the lofty marble hall and paused for a moment in front of the cenotaph marking the final resting place of the country's first president.</div>
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Then it was onto the bus for one final journey together to the Ministry of Education for a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ9urDxW8FJJz1fJp17xFWYoimZHi4hQw0x10hkzm1wHOKfKTRnlSLfHd4s-vf27lEn74ugeiWwTZNpJEpbl_xvXfWZtkhpJYLLup5K99Ag8GItMYqoPfuQZYl9ddumb6MqOGo7-gliBQ/s1600-h/IMG_4843.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099347742392142722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ9urDxW8FJJz1fJp17xFWYoimZHi4hQw0x10hkzm1wHOKfKTRnlSLfHd4s-vf27lEn74ugeiWwTZNpJEpbl_xvXfWZtkhpJYLLup5K99Ag8GItMYqoPfuQZYl9ddumb6MqOGo7-gliBQ/s200/IMG_4843.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>farewell reception. We were given a briefing on Turkish Education and afterwards chit chatted with the Turkish educators present and gave our farewell gifts to Hulya, our Turkish Foundation liason person and to Serhan, or illustrious tour guide for the trip. Then it was back to the hotel for one last eveing in Turkey before our 9 am flight back to the states.</div>
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Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-18803751825411708422017-03-01T17:37:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:30:28.326-07:00Turkish ReflectionsBelow are some comments made by Group II participants of the 2007 Turkish Cultural Foundation study-tour to Turkey.<br />
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<strong>Summer 2007 Teacher Study Tours</strong><br />
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I am so grateful to the TCF for this opportunity. Each day, I discover something new and amazing about Turkey! The people have been wonderfully gracious and friendly. The sights have been awe- inspiring. Words simply cannot express what a valuable experience this has been for me. Thank you so much. <strong>Angela Cartwright Lysnkey, Columbus, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>I had never traveled abroad before and many family members, friends, and co-workers were shocked I was going to a country as dangerous as Turkey. After having been here 15 days, I have to say I have never met so many friendly people. From the merchants at the Grand Bazaar, to the water vendor who knew me by name on the streets of Istanbul, to the women having an Amway meeting in Amasya I felt welcomed and respected by all. I will never forget the imam who took his time to read part of the Koran with a smile for all of us, his students for that moment. <strong>Beth MacLehose, Columbus, OH, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>I can’t put into words all the sights and sounds of such a rich, diverse country. I didn’t know what to expect but I am fondly taking home many memories which I will share with my students and community. <strong>Pat Huss, Columbus, USA</strong><br />
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Your investment in the experience will result in countless hours of fascinating projects and research about Turkey – an amazing country with a balance of rich tradition and modern growth! I have learned so much as a result of your generosity. What I had previously in terms of knowledge about policy and contemporary issues I can now enhance greatly. I’ll forever remember the feel of Turkey, the sounds, landscape, food, art, and people and will work to make it real for my students as well. I plan a return trip in the near future – both with students and with my husband as this country is a very romantic place! I will be indebted to all of you forever for making this possible. <strong>Stephanie Calondis, Columbus, OH, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>Older Turks to children have been a spirit of joy: we respect each other. Looking at the stars one night, we all felt serene and asked the unanswerable question: why can′t the world show the same respect that we have encountered? "See with your mind; hear with your heart." Turkish proverb that’s what this study tour has done: I have seen with my mind, but my heart has listened as well. Thanks for filling my memory card with unforgettable delights.<br />
<strong>Marilyn Strelau, Connecticut, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>These past two weeks have been life changing for me. To travel to such historical places and see firsthand how much Turkey has been a part of history –center stage in fact- has been eye opening. The grandness of Istanbul, the beauty of Bosphorus, the classical history of Turkey, the importance Turkey has played as stops along the Silk Road, the history of Ottoman Turkey, the beauty of Islamic mosques and medresses, etc. I can go on and on. My knowledge of this land, history and people has so immensely increased! Thank you Turkish Cultural Foundation.<br />
<strong>Maria Avery, Connecticut, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>Not all the DVDs I watched nor all the books I read prepared me for the beauty of Turkey, the varying landscapes proudly waving the Turkish flag and minarets dotting the country.<br />
<strong>Susan Kopecki, Connecticut, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>My impressions of Turkey – firstly I am impressed by the history of this area and how each succeeding group has built upon the previous groups. This has created such a beautiful patterns of diversity and tolerance. I love the pride of the people in their history and the layer upon layer of cultures which is modern Turkey.Secondly, I see Turkey as an amazing example of democracy for this whole area of the world and I would like to see a stronger partnership between the USA and Turkey because we share important beliefs in human dignity and democracy.<strong> Nancy Billman, North Carolina, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>The overwhelming emotion I’ve experienced over and over on this trip is appreciation – appreciation for Turkey. Its history is my history. Every event in Turkey’s past has had a indirect influence on the way most of the world lives today. It is a part of the “New World’s” past. So how come when I talk about Turkey to people at home, they have so many misperceptions? I will continue to educate people about Turkey, and now I am so much more equipped to do that. <strong>Nancy Goodwin, North Carolina, USA</strong><br />
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This visit to Turkey has been a highlight of my life. The amazing legacy left by ancient civilizations and the impressive dynamism of contemporary Turkey exist side by side and serve to make Turkey an utterly fascinating place. Given this rich history and its importance to contemporary world affairs, it is unfortunate that it is often given short shrift in typical school curricula in the U.S. The Turkish Cultural Foundation has given us a tremendous gift in this experience. In response, all of us will trumpet the virtues of this nation back home in America and work hard to not only have it represented more in American classrooms, but to also forge closer ties between our two countries. <strong>Bob Herold, Seattle, USA</strong><br />
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I am overwhelmed with the hospitality and graciousness of everyone I have met. I will take this opportunity to experience the glory and luminosity of Turkey to my heart, and share what I have learned both through my teaching and because I am a citizen of our world community. Each day on this journey I have been privileged to new priceless artifacts o truly magnificent civilization. <strong>Jan Morgan, Seattle, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>We have been guided expertly by Serhan, Hulya and others along the way. It’s a portable university, a portable feast, a paradigm shift of tectonic scale. I’d love to bring a group of students here, they’d never se the world the same way again. Rebecca Timson, Seattle, USA<br />
It will be impossible to remember every moment of this trip, but the special memories will be once to last a lifetime. I am grateful to the Turkish Cultural Foundation for this amazing opportunity and wish them the best of luck in expanding this program to even more education throughout the U.S. Jesse Sealey, South Dakota, USALearning more about Turkish art forms has been a highlight. I appreciate the way people in this country treasure old traditions and then use that background to inform current and future parts of this lives.<br />
The more I learn, the more I want to learn. This introduction to the richness of Turkey will be a springboard for asking and searching answers to new questions. It will be a joy to share about Turkey with people in. <strong>Kathryn Ann Miller, South Dakota, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>I had high expectations for this trip but somehow the Turkish Cultural Foundation found a way to exceed them!... Every day and every way. Clearly this program was put together with great care and the result is that at the end of each day I felt filled to the brim with new knowledge, images, insights and fantastic food – but now, at the end of the trip, I find myself hungry for more. All the efforts put forth to make this trip memorable are deeply appreciated.Mere words cannot express my gratitude for the great gift of this trip. I will work hard to repay the opportunity by teaching more about Turkey with greater understanding... And I will be back. <strong>Cindy McNulty, Pittsburg, PA, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>It is difficult to contain in one page all of the various impressions that I have of Turkey. How does one sum up over 8,000 years of history and culture? How does one do any justice to the tastes, sounds, and smells? Where can one go to meet people that are more friendly?The trip has been one of discovery and awe from Istanbul to Ankara. There was so much that I did not know about the country, and I know there is so much to learn. Turkey is a proud country and one I very much admire. I think that when people –Americans- came here, they leave with a more informed and positive impression than what they had before they left home.<br />
<strong>Gary Peiffer, Pittsburgh, USA</strong><br />
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Before coming, I had no idea of the vast diversity I would encounter. I hope I can do Turkey justice after returning home. I felt very at home here and that is due to the very warm & friendly Turkish people that I met. Every day was filled with new adventurous and sweet smiles. <strong>Victoria Robins, Pittsburg, PA, USA</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>This has been one of the most professionally –rewarding experiences of my career. The understanding, experiences and stories I have acquired over the last two weeks will enrich my teaching for decades to come. David Rezelman, Hampton Roads, Virginia, USA<br />
After all that we’ve seen and done over the last few weeks it still seems as though we’ve barely scratched the surface of what Turkey has to offer. So many cultures have passed through and left their mark on this land! It’s truly awe-inspiring. <strong>Lisa Marie Priddy, Hampton Roads, Virginia, USA</strong>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498947423631146530.post-60644793424559378252017-03-01T10:15:00.000-08:002017-03-14T08:30:08.290-07:00Hascakal Turkeye!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bvGxC5m59aNogPy3jfTOJ4HILZAyc_TJoBmjZ6-Wf2SnSodx2m9LpQ-aEAiwli6vy_gIMvDDQQNp0tEnvwTz6gFdl8enjxtGmnTmw03ey36D74hRIUfoSewMETrh1ugToc9DvEzhrAvG/s1600-h/IMG_4850.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099353325849627538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bvGxC5m59aNogPy3jfTOJ4HILZAyc_TJoBmjZ6-Wf2SnSodx2m9LpQ-aEAiwli6vy_gIMvDDQQNp0tEnvwTz6gFdl8enjxtGmnTmw03ey36D74hRIUfoSewMETrh1ugToc9DvEzhrAvG/s200/IMG_4850.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>It's 6 am in the morning and I'm packed and waiting for our 7 am ride to the airport. We fly from Ankara to Istanbul and then direct to New York. It's been an amazing two weeks here in Turkey......Istanbul, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cappadocia</span>, the Aegean Coast etc...this land has such beauty...Ephesus, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pergamum</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Catalhoyuk</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Konya</span>, etc....this country is so rich in history and culture.....A big THANK YOU to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hulya</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Guler</span> and the entire Turkish Foundation for putting this trip together and making this journey a reality, a thank you to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Serhan</span> and CREDO tours for guiding us through this amazing land, and thank you to all the Turkish people we have met along the way (the Imam we met, the Turkish tea house ladies, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Iznik</span> tile artist, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Cappadocia</span> pottery makers and carpet weavers, the lovely cave house couple, and all the Turkish people we have met etc)...they have all been so hospitable and have gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">comfortable</span> in their beautiful land.<br />
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I leave Turkey with a sad heart, but hopeful that someday I will return. So it's not goodbye Turkey, but it's "until we meet again."Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526210513460380023noreply@blogger.com0