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The Great Mosque of Bursa
This mosque is a must-see. But be warned: it is right beside a big bazaar. It must be a disease..........
This niece of mine tops her entire generation when it comes to shopping. Her eyes would flit from stall to stall, her legs would carry her darting from store to store, her pockets were eternally wanting for replenishment.
From Istanbul through Kusadaci through Denizli through Cappadocia through Ankara, it has been an endless journey of shopping for the best turquiose set of jewelry, or the best evil eye bracelet and keychain, or the best leather shoes or shirt for Shelly. I do shop too, but I'm not exactly a big fan of shopping till you drop. I have long gone past the period of picking up souvenir items or even museum and history books, but would always make a mental note of one or two pieces that I would like to buy from a certain place. In Turkey, I have decided on a pair of Turquiose earrings. Shelly bought a pair for me from Cappadocia. That was it for me, plus some Turkish Delights (really delightful desserts!) and Turkish apple tea.
Not so with Shelly. When our bus dropped us off at the Great Wash Area
The faithful wash and clean up before entering the Mosque. Mosque which sits right beside a huge bazaar, I knew. I knew Shelly's mind is reeling not from the beauty of the Great Mosque but by the many things she'd like to scratch off her shopping list. The bazaar is very well-designed. Unlike the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, I did not fear getting lost here. I went along with Shelly as she shopped for a pair of leather shoes and another pair of leather boots. She also found some silk scarves past the lovely courtyard where locals were sipping tea, despite my repeated reminders that we will be stopping over in Shanghai on our way home. But no, she's got to buy the silk scarf from Bursa. I was tempted to tell her the story of the silkworms from China, being smuggled into Turkey hidden in Turkish turbans. Or that the Silk Road started in China, before finding its way through mountains and valleys to this part of Europe , or Asia Minor if you like. Well, honestly, who's to tell which silk is better.....the one from China or the one from Bursa?
Every so often, Shelly would ask which pair of leathers is better, or which color suits her. Or which leather scarf will look best with this and that . I tried..........really tried to give an honest opinion or shopping advice. But not for long. So, I hied off to the nearest bar for my Turkish apple tea, where I promised to wait till she's done with her shopping. While sipping my tea, the cafe owner curiously asked where I come from. At this point, I've got to say that the Turkish people are among the friendliest peoples on earth. Oh, sure, there were some sore points especially when one or two got overfriendly, even agressive, with Shelly. But overall, it has been a very happy experience with the locals.
In almost every place I traveled to, it has almost become a ritual to sit down in some courtyard cafe or bar to sip either coffee or tea. People-watching goes well with the hot beverage, and is actually good for sore legs and feet. Back in Continental Europe, it was more a half carafe of house wine. But here in Turkey, right here in Bursa, it has got to be my fav apple tea. I glimpsed many locals "cleansing" themselves Turkish Tea, anyone?
You'd find this courtyard within the shopping complex near the Great Mosque. Nice to just stroll or sit around and people-watch. in the fountain right outside the Great Mosque. Ladies with lovely eyes covering their heads as they entered the Mosque. Before our shopping episode, Shelly and I managed to take photos of the inside of the Mosque . We covered our heads as was the custom, and knelt on the
lovely rugs strewn all over the place. Remembering that, I said a silent prayer............that Shelly won't fancy some Hereke carpet or Iznic tiles which I spotted back inside. Dear Lord, please don't tempt her.
My prayers worked as I spotted Shelly approaching with just two shopping bags. She joined me just as I was enjoying the last drops of my turkish apple tea, and just about the time that our pick up bus arrived.
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