Turkey's culture is a blend of elements of the Oguz Turkic and Anatolian, Ottoman, and Western culture and traditions which started with the Westernization of the Ottoman Empire and continues today.

Turkey Trip

OCT 2006

Istanbul is the only city in the world to span two continents….Europe and Asia Minor…and be a former capital of both Christian and Islamic empires. It sits on the crest of the Bosporus Strait, dividing old and new cities by the Golden Horn, one of the world's most sheltered harbors. City population doubled every 15 yrs; 2000 census revealed 10 million people. It is a great walking city.

Visit the infamous Blue Mosque (off with the shoes or use plastic booties), so called because of the shimmering blue tiles lining the interior. Walk to Topkapi Palace, royal palace of the Ottoman sultans and today one of the world's richest museums. In a small park near the old Hippodrome chariot grounds, descend beneath the streets to the Sunken Palace, formerly known as Cistern Basilica built by Emperor Justinian, as part of Istanbul's elaborate water system for the palace and quite amazing! There are 336 Roman columns, and opera music sets the atmosphere. It's a most incredible underground attraction. And don't miss Hagia Sophia (an architectural Byzantine wonder); it was first a Christian church, then mosque, now museum. Not to miss the Grand Bazaar, a huge covered market…over 4000 tourist shops on 66 streets and 5 miles long. And the Spice Market with canvas bags overflowing with herbs, spices, candy, nuts, figs, ..a huge area! During our stay, it was Ramadan, This is 29 days of Turkish fasting time from sunup to sundown.

Turks are Muslims, and they practice Islam. Prayers are said five times daily to Allah ...announced by the muezzin from the balcony of the mosque's minaret. Each Turk is expected to make pilgrimage to Mecca once a lifetime. All mosques face Mecca, Mohammed's birthplace. The Koran is their divine book. The country is democratic ever since Prime Minister Ataturk westernized it in 1920. It is secular; 80,000 Jews live there. It is not yet in the European Union; however, it was accepted into the UN five years ago. Ankara is the capital of the country. Greatest percentage of Turks in the cities are under age 35; most are westernized.

A short flight from Istanbul is Cappadocia; don't miss it!. The earth surface here is a white volcanic rock called tufa. Evolution and weather changes have formed tall cones appearing as fairy chimneys. Over centuries, inhabitants carved cave-like rooms from the rock…houses complete with doors and windows. Some still live in these houses; they are incredible. In other areas… Kaymakli…there's a complete underground city created by Christians as protection from Roman persecution in past centuries….Quite amazing! A must see is Goreme, an open air museum with a collection of fresco rock churches carved out of tufa. For great photo shots and a smooth ride, take an early morning hot air balloon flight over this area to see the incredible landscape.

Join a tour to see the Whirling Dervishes….they believe that the raison d'etre is to get in touch with their spirituality. They whirl endlessly, dressed in wide white skirts and camel's felt hats (tombstone style), as they chant. It's a tourist attraction but interesting.

Visit the Greek ghost towns. After the Greek/Turkish War, the Greek government agreed to send the Greeks living in Turkey back to Greece; those towns where they lived still remain without inhabitants.

While in this area, we spent an overnight with a Turkish family. We had dinner with them (mom, dad, 3 kids, grandma & grandpa); they spoke very little English. However, our guide was with us to translate. They were a self-sufficient family, not poor by their standards in a rural farming area where they produce their own food. Dinner was many vegetables… cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, vegetables prepared in yogurt, potatoes or potato salad (their style, but good), cheese wrapped in dough & fried, grape leaves with rice and currants, nut stuffing), chicken or lamb, rice pudding and fruit…..very edible. Most of our small group slept on futon-floor mats in one house. Some excitement at 3AM when a drummer from the mosque sounded the prayer call. Later in the morning, we walked to see the children off to school…separate busses for girls and boys.

From Cappadocia, travel a few hours south to the Mediterranean and visit an old Roman ruin at Aspendos with an impressive theatre and aqueduct. Drive to Antalya, an old fishing village, now a popular resort, and visit more ruins. Visit Perge to see extensive remains of a Greek/Roman city where St. Paul is said to have preached his first sermon. Stop at Myra where the excavations and tombs built into cliffs date back to year 600; don't miss the ancient amphitheatre.

And, spend some time in the beautiful water of the Turquoise Coast. We boarded a Turkish gulet for five days… teak and oak with sails and motor, small cabins, outdoor eating table, comfortable cushions, a crew of five and a good cook. The turquoise water was superb for swimming…clear, clean and so stitley that its buoyancy kept you afloat endlessly.

Travel to Kusadasi and visit the Basilica of St. John. Don't forget to spend an entire day at the most visited place in Turkey…world famous Greco-Roman site..Ephesus, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in the world. The wide marble streets are still incredible, surrounded by temples and columns. Walk to the amphitheatre. Visit the Library of Celsus decorated with statues. The Temple of Artemis is no longer standing but was a famous pilgrimmage that Roman citizens made for centuries to see the Goddess of Fertility, Diana…so important to this city.

Turkey is a traveler's delight. October is a great weather month to be there. And if you have time and some extra money, visit a Turkish rug store; the choices are amazing!

Turkey Photo Gallery

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