Onward to Konya

Southward from Mustafapasa, we head back into a big city.  As much as I enjoyed the quaint village environment, tonight I'm going to be able to sleep with that big city air conditioning here at Otel Selcuk. 

We enjoyed a couple stops on the way down which nicely broke up the bus ride.  In the town of Guzelyurt we got off the bus downtown, had a glass of tea and then walked down backroads (paths) towards an old church which has since been converted to a mosque.  On the walk we met a braying donkey, were followed by curious children, and ate mulberries picked up from the ground.

At the bottom of the path we reached the mosque.  According to Taylan, our guide, it was where the Gregorian chant originated back in its church days.  We met the Imam for a Q and A session, at the end of which he chanted (sang?) phrases from the Koran.  It was extraordinary, I know of at least three who were brought to tears.  And the way his voice rang out, it was easy to imagine hearing the Gregorian Chant in that building.

And then on to a caravan stop along the old silk road.

And finally Konya, where we visited the mystic poet Rumi's tomb, Cathy bought a Turkish flute and is finding it is very difficult to even make a sound with it, where Cathy bought a couple pencil sketches from a boy in the park (the artist himself) and last and not least, where a group of us went to a kebab restaurant recommended by Taylan (he has yet to misguide us) and yes, OMG, food to die for.

Saturday

Cappadocia hike, Kaymakli underground city, faerie chimneys.

Chronological Lapse

I realize I failed to post our half day activities in Ankara from a couple days ago.  We went the the
ancient civilizations museum which has a significant Hittite collection.  After that we went to the Ataturk Mausoleum, a monumental patriotic facility.

Lunch and Rugs

After Goreme open air museum, we had traditional lunch with a beautiful village woman in her home served us a lunch consisting of bulgar, beans, seasonal salad, bread and an apple.  A sweet experience.

Afterwards, to the carpet co-op for a weaving demonstration.  They offered our group a drink from a long list of beverages, from tea to raki.  Cathy, being funny, raised her hand for the raki, red wine, white wine and beer.  And they gave her all!  I helped her drink a few.  And their free drinks paid off.  Cathy bought a rug (albeit modest).  I won't know what she bought until it arrives on our doorstep.

Goreme Open Air Museum

Cappadocia is big!  And we're getting only a slice!  But what a slice! Today we went to the Goreme Open Air Museum--a small valley where a monestary (ies?) was established within caves carved out of the tufa stone.  Unfortunately, no pictures from inside the individual caves - prohibited.  Many were painted from 9th to 12 centuries.  Older paintings than those were destroyed during the iconoclastic period.

The star was a large cave church, complete with nave, apse and columns carve out of stone but to appear as constructed in traditional matter.

Here are a few pics from outside the caves.

Village of Mustafapasa

A darling little village where our hotel is located.  Many vacated cave houses, some active cave houses.  Last night there was (another) wedding outside our window, loud music and fireworks.  The whole village is invited to weddings, and several in our group went, some even danced (apparently). 

We did a walk around town this morning, here are a few pics. 

Cappadocia - Old Greek Hotel

Our lodgings for three nights.  Thursday night eggplant beef stew was to die for.  2.5 hours away from whatever delight they're serving tonight.