A train with a view.............................
Day 4......Sleeping on the train.....I had never taken an overnight train before----but I have now! Check that bad boy off the list!
After breakfast on the train and a quick "Starbucks"fix in Ankara, we were off for our first adventure of the day......the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations for pre-Roman treats........Yum!
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
"Venus" of Anatolia
Our first stop of the day was a visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. A local guide met us and gave us an overview of artworks of the early Anatolian peoples. Any where from Palaeolithic treasures to Greek and Roman artifacts. This museum was packed with very interesting artworks and artifacts The pieces in the museum were layed out chronologically and we made our way through the centuries by way of tools, pottery, figures, and jewelery.
Next stop on your itinery....Anit Kabir
The Mausoleum
We spent some time at Anit Kabir which house the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey.
We were fortunate enough to witness a changing of the guard and were inspired to reflect on the importance of this man to his country and to modern times. The grounds were massive and invited quiet contemplation on how one life can impact many .......for decades to come.
We were fortunate enough to witness a changing of the guard and were inspired to reflect on the importance of this man to his country and to modern times. The grounds were massive and invited quiet contemplation on how one life can impact many .......for decades to come.
Mystical, wonderful Cappadocia
Welcome to The Old Greek House in Mustafapasa....your home away from home!
This is a picture of the main house of our home base while in Cappadocia....The Old Greek House. Our actual rooms were up the little road in some villas. Some of the rooms in the villas were in cave houses traditional to the area. Mine was one of the rooms. Suprisingly cool, my room was full of rustic authenticity, from the rough cut beam ceilings to the rock walls and the dark wood floors. While the room had a minimal feel, it was full of Turkish warmth. The bathroom was state of the art from the heated rock floor to the "rain" shower head. The outside was full of sunshine and warmth with large jugs holding their trellis' tied with string up the wall. I was able to go into some of the other rooms and some had little sitting areas and quiet places to read and relax. Every room was different and special.
The city walk provided insight to the charm of the region. Old doorways, friendly locals, and modern conveniences gave us a view into life in rural Turkey. Walk with me!
Get on the bus....we're going to the Goreme Open Air Museum!
An on site museum full of cave homes, churches, and monestaries. Over 1000 year old frescoes were amazing and colorful. Free time here led to some "vertical exploration" helping us to prepare for lunch. :)
Lunch with the locals.
This is why you go on a Rick Steve's tour. You would have never had this opportunity unless you were on one of his tours. Lunch was provided by a local woman and her mother. It was fresh and lovely. Warm conversation and insights to life as a woman in rural Turkey was the reward for this stop on the tour. Enriching beyond belief. The best of this tour is showing up in the personal touches such as this experience.
Now that your tummy is full.....Off to your weaving lesson.
Our next stop was at a weaving gallery. These workshops provide an opportunity for women to earn an income. We got to see different techniques using the various weights of yarn. So amazing!
Friday Evening
As many days on this action packed tour we weren't done yet! Back to the hotel for supper. After supper that evening, we had the option of attending a Whirling Dervish ceremony. To me, the whirling, turban-hatted figures clad in white, are an iconic image of Turkey. Rather than attending ceremonys geared for the tourist trade. Aseugal took us to a more authentic ceremony. I very much appreciated the opportunity to witness this type of ceremony.
Day 6......Starts off with "The Hike"
The Hike....Saturday morning we had a choice of taking a hike or visiting a local farmer's market....I choose-----THE HIKE!
The weather was perfect and we walked through a small valley that housed remnants of long ago inhibitants. We were constantly wondering, "How in the heck did they get up there"? Towards the end of the hike we ran into some VERY happy Japanese.
The weather was perfect and we walked through a small valley that housed remnants of long ago inhibitants. We were constantly wondering, "How in the heck did they get up there"? Towards the end of the hike we ran into some VERY happy Japanese.
You're used to this by now....Back on the bus...There's more!....Off to the underground city of Kaymakli.
Whew! With all this walking, a girl gets hungry, and I'm in luck....Supper! But not just any supper......Dinner with a VIEW!
And as you are coming to expect....Yes, one more thing ....a surprize awaits you at the hotel.....traditional live music and dancing.....You just thought you were tired!
Day 7..........Up, up, and away!
Early day, I'm not kidding, really early.....4:30 am early. One of the nice things about RS is there are very few extra costs. On Sunday morning an opportunity was given to go on a hot air ballon ride. The cost was extra and it was expensive.....AND WORTH EVERY CENT! Again, not for everyone, but almost all of our brave group went....(I think we had more fun getting our old butts into the basket than anything). There was so much squealing, joy, laughter, oohs and ahs...it actually reminded me of being a kid at Christmas......and that was a very loooooooooooooooong time ago! And the views......OMG.......I took hundreds of pictures. I had one hand snapping pics and my little flip video in the other recording snippets of pure glee.
Please enjoy the following pictures and the happiness they represent!
Please enjoy the following pictures and the happiness they represent!
Landing.....a friendly face and a glass of bubbly.....all before 7:30 in the AM!
Heh!......All of the above and we still have a full day....Eat your breakfast and get on that bus.
The village of Guzelyurt and the meeting with the local Iman
The main hall of the mosque
We journeyed to the village of Guzelyurt and met with the local Iman. Wearing scarfs respectfully, we removed our shoes and sat on colorful overlaping prayer mats. The Iman was generous and patient when answering our questions. I must say our group was on its best behavior and very inquisitive. Another Rick Steves's . Very educational. Very meaningful. Very, very authentic.
A "Camel" stop.
Our journey continued across a very dry landscape along the same routes used by camel carvans. We took a break at a "truck stop" of sorts for ancient caravans. We spent the time wondering the fort like enclosure examining old tools and carvings and peeking into stalls that held resting livestock protectively long ago.
Konya
We arrived in Konya under a stormy sky. We toured the buriel site of the 13th century mystic Rumi. The Mevlana Museum is a unique place and a holy site making it busy. Covering our shoes, we entered the site and saw where Rumi is buried along with other "dervishes". Their graves are marked by the concrete version of their distictive hats. Making ur way through the echibit there were equisite handmade Qurans of all sizes. I was fascinated watching devote Muslums bend to catch a breath of air that surrounded the hair of Muhammed that was placed deep with in Russian style nested boxes inside a glass case. Asugul walked us though busy Konya to our hotel pointing out resturant choices and an outdoor market.