Bill and Carol's Senior Years Abroad: Mezopotamya Turkiye'de (The Mesopotamian Turkey)

Middle East » Turkey » Southeastern Anatolia
October 29th 2011

Published: November 19th 2011

We have some pretty exotic tales for this post! We just returned from a trip unlike any we have taken. We knew we wanted to spend some time in the far eastern/southeastern Turkey, including Turkey's swatch of the famed "fertile crescent," where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow. This largely Kurdish area borders Iran, Iraq, and Syria and is home to some of the longest inhabited settlement... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 45, Displayed: 21

Huge Statues at Sunrise

A magnificent sight at the top of Mt. Nemrut

Antiochus

A local king, who built this monument to prove that he was godlike

Nemrut

It was cold waiting for sunrise!

Path down from Nemrut

The 50m pile of rocks on the right were constructed as part of the monument

Mor Gabriel Monestery

Syriac Christian, occupied by monks since 397 AD

Aramaic Bible in Mor Gabriel

The language of Jesus Christ and the Syriac Christians today

The Syriac Bishop

The Archbishop of the Mountain of Servants of God @ Mor Gabriel

Honey filled snacks

In a Midyat tea garden

Child labor in Midyat

This boy is 7 or 8

Cautious neighborhood girls in Midyat

Relief at Arsameia

Apollo (the god) shaking hands with King Antiochus signifying his deification

Euphrates

The result of a dam, we crossed by ferry

Bazda Caves: Ancient Quarry

This quarry produced stone for Harran in 3000 BC

Woman and her donkey

Even older women do heavy work, sometimes with the help of a donkey

Sogmatar: Moon-worshiping center

Even at the time of Christ, people still believed in human sacrifice-see the trough at the right

Abraham's Pool in Urfa

Abraham, thrown off a cliff into the fire by King Nimrod, but Allah intervened and the fire turned into a pool of water, the coals into Black Carp

Mardin Minaret

From Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) in Mardin

Stone in Mardin

An ancient city famous for its honey colored buildings and steep hillside location, settled since 4000BC

Chaldean Christian Church in Diyarkabir

Although considered the "Kurdish Capital" it also includes a Christian community (Eastern Rite)

Diyarkabir man in Shalvar

Widely worn traditional Kurdish dress with baggy pants with crotch below the knees

Hasankeyf on the Tigris R.

A stunning ancient site soon to be covered w/ water by Turkish dam project.

19th November 2011

catherine crain
non-member comment

wow!
Amazing pictures and information - thanks so much for sharing it!!! It makes me want to come back to Turkey and do that homestay thing - it's almost like a different country (the Kurdish region). I'm curious about the wedding - how is that you were invited? Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be in New York with Heather and Eric. What are you doing- I wonder if you'll cook a turkey?? Please say hi to Annie and Chloe and all the folks -- big hug, Catherine

19th November 2011

Jessie Strauss
non-member comment

Amazing!
What an amazing adventure into SE Turkey! Thanks for sharing it with us. Carol, how I wish I could write like you do. Jessie

19th November 2011

Denise
non-member comment

WOW!
The photos are so wonderful! I hope I can hear you talk about things when you are back in Seattle. More importantly, I look forward to being able to consult with you when I am able to travel to Turkey myself! You both look great! Carol, I love the hair! Love to you both, Denise

20th November 2011

Kara
non-member comment

Wowowow!
I'm continually amazed at your ability to capture your experiences through your writing and photos. It's as if we were there with you. What an amazing place that is SE Turkey! Thanks so much for sharing. The boys loved the photo with the donkey, the boy, and the baby goat. And yes, we are so thankful that you didn't experience the earthquake firsthand.

20th November 2011

Marjon and Lex
non-member comment

In awe
Dear Carol and Bill, Though we have never, until now, gotten around to answering you, we have so enjoyed following your blog!!! In fact, it leaves me more or less speechless . . . . So glad you are having a generally splendid time over there, making friends and being ambassadors as you are enjoying yourself, learning and contributing. Sending very best wishes and warm regards, Marjon Looking through your camera and reading through your writing I am transported to that ancient region of the origins of our culture. Everything is impressive - but most I am struck by the beauty of the faces, the nomadic matriarchs, the Arabic mother. And how different can life be from what we see here as \"normal\", with so much integrity. Well, words are too limited - but what radiates from your story is beautiful and enriching. Thank you so much. Lex

21st November 2011

Carol Merrill
non-member comment

thanks
Thank you so very much for sharing the richness of your experiences. It is wonderful to get these glimpses of lives most of us will never see. I applaud your continued reaching out to learn about the people of this country you have chosen to explore. And, you seem to be having a wonderful time doing so -- the best part!

21st November 2011

Cindy phillips
non-member comment

Amazing
What an amazing adventure within an adventure. I find myself wanting to see Mt. Nemru and Harran and view the ruins of a city built thousands of years before cities we thought were the oldest. Mind boggling. Thanks for sharing. Glad you escaped the earthquake and the border fighting. Stay safe. Cindy

22nd November 2011

Rick Wilson
non-member comment

Still, Wow!
I am so fortunate to still be sharing your travels with you. Thank you!

22nd November 2011

Heidi Henriksen
non-member comment

like others 'wow'
I can't let Neal see your blogs or we'll have to come stay with you. In the middle of moving to Colorado and selling the house here so our adventures need to wait a little. Fun to read and see what you are doing. love, Heidi

23rd November 2011

Carolyn Threadgill
non-member comment

Thank you!
I so appreciate your taking the time and effort to organize, write, and send these fascinating posts to us homebodies. May your sojourn continue to go well!

24th November 2011

Connie & Tom
non-member comment

What an amazing trip - and a wonderful way to experience and learn about the region. We enjoyed the narrative and the pictures - especially Bill in the "headdress." Thanks for sharing this.

9th December 2011

Mary Meyer
non-member comment

Extraordinary!
When this arrived I was too busy to read it. I've just been immersed in your adventures and feel rather overwhelmed. What "age" to experience. The archeological discovery is particularly amazing. Pictures are spectacular. Thanks so much.

14th December 2011

Diane Taylor
non-member comment

Amazing Report...and photos
Bill: Thanks to Helen Moody, I tuned in. How brave you all are to tackle this kind of trip and not be in your 20s! . A wonderful report and fabulous photos. My compliments.

17th December 2011

Laurie Elder
non-member comment

WOW!
I don't even know where to begin to comment! I was really excited reading about this trip! What a wonderful way to experience the culture. The description and pictures made me feel like I was puttering about day-by-day along with you. Turkey has an incredibly rich culture and history that I hope we can experience some day. How special to see the caves that will be underwater! Thanks for the wonderful travel report. Laurie

Tot: 0.535s; Tpl: 0.031s; cc: 14; qc: 63; dbt: 0.2927s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Bill and Carol (Bill and Carol) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

Bill and Carol's Senior Years Abroad: Mezopotamya Turkiye'de (The Mesopotamian Turkey)

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved