Cappadocia

We had three delightful days in Cappadocia which is in the Eastern part of Turkey. Due to ancient volcanic activity and erosion, the landscape is unique. This is the area where early Christians hid from persecution. Our guide and driver were friendly and knowledgeable. The Cappadocia equivalent of Juan. Our driver invited us to his house for lunch the second day. His wife and daughters prepared a delicious traditional meal. We took off our shoes when we entered his house and ate lunch at a low table while sitting on the floor on the lovely carpets. His wife showed us the carpet that she made as a dowry presentation.
Each valley was slightly different but all had churches and living quarters carved out of the soft stone of the hillsides. It was easy to imagine how the early Christians lived and defended themselves. The cave churches were first painted directly on the rock and later plastered over with more sophisticated paintings. The paintings were used to teach the bible.
We stayed in a delightful cave hotel. One night the owner's wife cooked us a traditional home made dinner. Wonderful. We had a great view of the valley from the hotel terraces.

I always wanted to take a hot air balloon ride and they are very popular in this area. Seemed like the perfect time. We got up early so we could see the sun rise from the balloon. All beautiful, slow and peaceful.

One of the days we hiked into one of the valley canyons and walked along the stream at the bottom. More cave churches in the canyon with slightly different styles. At the end of the hike, we had lunch at a quaint little place that had shelters built over the stream.

Cappadocia is known for their rugs. We visited a coop where we learned about the different styles and qualities. They were all so beautiful and ended up buying one and having it sent home. Now it is in the Living Room and I love it!

Our last night, we went to a "Turkish Night" extravaganza. Roasted lamb, good dancing and fun show. We were sitting in the front row so both Nick and Ben were picked for audience participation. It was a touristy thing but there were also many Turkish families there celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

Home again

Back from a wonderful adventure in Turkey. I had computer difficulties after just a couple of days so depended upon Melodie's fine blog http://emmpath.blogspot.com
Highlights:
After settling in at our hotel in the historic area of Istanbul, we took a leisurely walk to get oriented. We walked in the gardens of the Topkapi palace, having tea overlooking the Bosphorus, sampled Turkish delight candies, enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of men playing backgammon while sitting at little tables on the sidewalk
We had dinner on the roof of our hotel with a view of the Bosphorus and the Hagia Sophia. Not only was the setting outstanding but the food was delicious and the waiters delightful.

The next day we had a personal guide to help us understand all the wonderful sites we were seeing. Highlights were the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, New Mosque, spice market, cruise on the Bosphorus.

Our last day in Istanbul, we went to the Archaeology museum and the Topkapi Palace where the Ottoman Sultans resided and met with world leaders. The views of the Bosphorus and opulence of the palace were breath taking.

Museum of archaeology

Photos from Museum of archaeology

Museum of Archeology in Istanbul

We were pleasantly surprised at the quality and volumn of work in the museum. We spent the entire morning there and could have easily spent the entire day. We started with the exhibit of sarcophagui from about 2000BC on through about 400AD. The carvings were elaborate and finely done. Any one of them would have been a major draw for any exhibit in the States and there were rooms and rooms of them.
Then the exhibit of Roman statues. Again, any one of them would have been great but there were rooms of them.
Saw cuniform writing from 2300 BC. one of the first love poems written in 1800BC.
There were many art students drawing various sculptures. it gave the museum a modern relevance.
The exhibit of Istanbul through the ages was impressive as well. No pictures were allowed in that section.
Then there was the outdoor section where all of the spare parts and statues were left.
Another entire building of Mesopotamian art. Hmmmm actually, I think that is where the cuniform writing was.
Another smaller building of tile work. Mostly the blue tiles. Inspiring for quilt designs.

Turkish Delight!

We're here! We've been here for a couple of days and are actually leaving Istanbul in the morning. So, I'm already behind in the blog scene. some of it is my low techno IQ and part is that I've been having too much fun to stop to blog. (It's mostly that one)

Sunday, June 5, 2011
The adventure began early in the morning. Steven and Jarred picked us up to take us to the airport to catch our 9am flight. Luckily, we allowed lots of time. We put suitcases in the 2 cars and the 6 of us pilled in too. Not necessarily, the car with our suitcase. As we were exciting I-285 to the airport, I jokingly asked if we all had our passports. Nick thought I was pulling his leg because he thought I had his passport. Oh NO!!!! Turn around! We told the guys to go ahead and check in and go to the gate. Somehow, we made it home and back to the airport in an hour! We made the plane! After comparing notes with the guys, found out that the security guys look at Andy a little strangely, when they checked his suitcase, which was actually mine and it had women's clothes in it!

The flight to La Guardia was uneventful and an easy transfer in 2 taxis to JFK. We had plenty of time before our flight on Turkish Air so we all had Korean barBQ hot dogs for lunch. Really yummy!
When we boarded the plane, we each got a little makeup looking bag that had footies, tooth brush, tooth paste, lip balm and a few other goodies. Quite a nice start to the long trip.

Oh dear. It's time for our dinner on the roof, overlooking the bosphorus, the Hagia Sophia. We ate there the first night too. Really great food and view
More later.

Changing gears from school to the TURKEY TRIP!
Melodie is coming this afternoon and we leave early in the morning. The plan is that Steven and Jarrad will take us to the airport, then house sit with Miss Penny.
More later as the excitment begins.