Turkish Delight
Forgive the trite title…I couldn’t help it.
Yes, I’m alive, despite my abscence from posting. I’ve been a bit busy…
Zakaria, from Morocco, met me in Istanbul and we’re currently kicking around the coast of Turkey, eatting kebabs and trying to resist carpet salesmen.
Well, actually, there’s a whole lot more then that to Turkey. It’s a vast country…as we keep being reminded everytime we board a bus to our next destination.
We spent a week in Istanbul which is really an especially interesting place. We were faced with Western and Eastern standards of living at every turn…cell phones being used by ladies in the veil, nice restaurants with squatty potties (if you don’t know…ask me) and so forth. Eastern sensibilites at Western prices too…bit pricey.
Istanbul was a little overwhleming in sheer size and the number of attractions. We saw a lot, but nearly all of it. I did discover one of my favorite spots in the whole world though…the park between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. There simply could not be a better view, 2 world reknowned buildings from a garden vantage point. Sitting on the benches between the two we often bought cups of tea from the ‘Chai, Chai, Chai’ guy who wandered around with his pitcher. And nights could be spent there under star light enjoying local musicians. It was amazing!
Oooh….and then there’s the Grand Bazaar…the largest market in the world. (or so I’ve been told.) It’s a labrynth of covered passageways with stalls selling everything and anything! Colorful silk scarves, hand painted ceramic bowls, silver and gold jewlery, musical instruments, spices, leather goods and knockoff clothes of every brand imaginable. We even bought our first Turkish Delight…which is just one name for any of a vast range of chewy candies. It’s a bit too sweet, almost making your teeth hurt, but not too bad…especially the coco and pistachio ones. Yum.
We decided to head out of Istanbul to a town called Bursa which is famous for it’s silk trade and it’s location under a particullarly tall mountain…making a winter and summer destination. I found it all a bit underwhelming, with more clothing stores then any city needs…and little else.
Next it was on to Selcuk (pronounced Sell-juck) near Ephesus. We’ve been day tripping from here…seen the FANTASTIC ruins of Ephesus which was incredible (!), went to the market town of Tire (Tear-e), and are headed tomorrow to Pamukkale where there are tiny pools in tiered white stone ledges…hard to explain so I’ll post pictures soon.
Speaking of pictures…I’ve taken a million since I got here! I’ve got to sort through them and find the best and I’ll get them on the blog ASAP…you won’t believe some of the places I’ve been in the last week!
But…that’s all for now. We’re off for lunch or supper or dinner…or whatever meal you eat, after breakfast, at 4 in the afternoon.
Cheers all…
Tags: Turkey
LizG