Update from Turkey!

---

Monday, July 13, 2009
Arrived in Istanbul around 10AM, the Alaska contingent only. This turned out to be a good thing as we had the rest of the day to do as we wanted. Four of us took off together to head first to get some Turkish coffee. We sat at a little cafe where they made Turkish pancakes or crepes. We shared a spinach one and a potato one. A very tasty snack! Afterwards off we went to the Grand Bazaar. What a feast for the eyes! It is very brightly lit, clean and 4000 shops to choose from. Scarves, tea and coffee sets, jewelry, ceramics and of course carpets.

The only disappointment for me has been the fact that I was not able to get online with my Mac… but other than that I am having a wonderful time and that is not enough to dampen my spirits and love of travel.

Turkey is a marvelous country of contrasts. One can see fashions from the very traditional, conservative clothes that cover from head to toe on one hand to the very secular clothing that cover very little. Old buildings from a thousand years ago to ultra modern skyscrapers. An old tractor moves along the road along side a 2009 car or bus. While a secular county there are religious reminders everywhere. One cannot help but see the minarets of the mosques everywhere and five times a day one hears the call to prayer.

We are definitely on a study tour and not a vacation, very little free time. One night in Istanbul four other teachers and myself went out to experience some nightlife! On to Istiklal, a pedestrian walkway but there is a trolley that runs the length along with a car or two. We all wanted to start by finding a pub. The street itself has shops on both sides but none of the cafes had seating outside. Only the side streets had seating outside. We found a pub with second story seating and got a seat in the window box. Beer and Rakı (an anise flavoured drink like Sambuca) in hand we toasted Turkey and our tour. Şerefe!

People watching was fantastic from our seats on high. The street was crowded with so many people of all ages and all modes of dress. I think this is so fascinating to see. It is almost like those who are secular will go out of their way to show just how secular they are with their dress. After sitting for a bit we wandered on till we heard some music on one of the side streets. That seemed like a good place to go next. We got a table within hearing distance of the two musicians, a violinist and a guitar player. Both sang and from the audiences reaction they were very well liked. Many of the audience sang along. We thought the music sounded like good folk songs. One of the teachers went to take their picture up close and stopped to talk to a couple who were also watching. They hit it off and began a long discussion then another of our group went to talk to them too and then a third… by then the couple came to join us at our table. This couple lived in Dubai. He was from Egypt originally and she was from Lebanon. Both spoke Arabic, French and English very well. We talked to them about everything and when things got heated she would start clapping in time to the music and we all joined in. What fun! We wanted to find some belly dancing, both of them knew how to belly dance also so off we went. What we found was a dance club that the sign outside said salsa. The music was loud, the floor was only slightly crowded with many young people. After requesting some belly dance music we finally heard it and had a great time dancing. I had to kick off my sandals, much easier to dance that way! We must have danced for over an hour but it was an early morning the next day so we reluctantly said goodbye to our new friends and off we went. It was only a couple of miles back to the hotel but being a bit after 1AM we chose to take a taksi. Oh, we were the last ones in the club too along with the bartenders and DJ… The taksi took us on a mini tour through the narrow winding streets of İstanbul, onto streets that had do not enter signs and on the back streets to our hotel. After quickly packing I fell asleep only to wake up in the early morning to the call to prayer…

Riding around in Turkey, I am reminded very much of Israel. The countryside with greenery, fields and crops, the cities of stone buildings and red roofs. One difference are the wooden houses that are built right next to an older stone house. There is much more land too but the flora and possibly the fauna- I’ve only seen birds and numerous cats- are the same. Of course there are many differences too…

We’ve been to museums and mosques that are all very beautiful, learning the history of Turkey along the way. I will have to do some more reading and studying to get it all figured out.

Shopping… okay so it has been fun to see the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market, the Silk Market… In the Spice Bazaar one of our leaders of the group took us to a specific store where we were treated to pomegranate tea, I did get some to bring home. I also indulged in some Turkish Delight, even got it hand fed by one of the store clerks! Cumin, red pepper (not very hot at all…) apricots in hand I left after being offered a private tour if I wanted tomorrow… The shop owners stand outside drumming up business by talking and saying everything under the sun to entice you in their store. Much like markets in many other places. The Grand Bazaar was clean, brightly lit. The Spice Market had shops and shops of spices, Turkish Delight, scarves and tiles for sale. The Silk Market was shop after shop of scarves and in one corner I found a shop that had jewelry and trinkets. I thought I could find a hamsa, the Hand of Fatima much more easily than I did. In this store while he had one or two none were what I was looking for. There were some other beautiful items though and it was fun to bargain with him. On my way out he gave me a hamsa, larger than one I am looking for but very beautiful and more special as it was a gift.

Saturday, July 18
A wonderful buffet breakfast, and the only one so far that I have not photographed, we got on the bus to ride to Ephesus. Fields of sunflowers, peach trees, tobacco and olive trees, windmills all line the road. It is hot and seems to be getting dry as we head south. Desert weather and I am enjoying it very much!

---

Comments

[Eric]

map
Hi, Marilyn - - - Here's a jpg map of your travels replete with clever little pictures inserted to help put it all into context. Hadn't realized how much of the country you are wandering through! http://www.turkishculturalfoundation.org/attachments/TCF_TourTeacherStudy09_map.jpg

[Joan Teicher]

I'm traveling with you
You are bringing back such good memories of when Jerry and I were in Turkey. Thank you.