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.