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To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. |
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· Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · Google · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
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I’ve traveled to eighteen countries, and Turkey is the one I liked best. There over Christmas vacation ‘93-94, traveling with a Jewish friend, I discovered more Christmas decorations gracing the streets of Istanbul than of leftwing Seattle, and it was so refreshing. My friend was recognized as a Jew but only in friendly ways. The people were marvelous, the countryside lovely, ruins spectacular and at that time of year we owned Ephesus, though our guide said it was crowded to distraction in summertime.
The people were charming to me especially. I never felt more American in my life, and in fact, kept humming, “American Woman...” A blue-eyed blond, I had great giggles with more than one Turkish woman who was wearing rather traditional clothing. We laughed at how different we looked but how similar we were under the “stuff.” Hugs all round.
In the countryside, peasants wore peasanty outfits,but in little towns, women wore relatively western clothes with beautiful, colorful scarves wrapped around their heads Muslim style. In Istanbul and in upscale places in smaller cities, we never saw women in even those scarves, instead, their clothing was like mine. We saw women gambling in casinos, drinking at bars, eating at restaurants alone.
At the Topkapi museum, the tone changed as we watched muslim mothers reverently pointing out Muhammed’s swords to their little ones. “What kind of religion reveres swords?” my companion asked.
We hired a guide with a wonderful new car and a total command of English. He charged us less than a crowded bus tour and it was like traveling with a friend. We went to Aphrodisias, Ephesus, Kusadisi, Bursa with it’s wonderful silk bazaar, and places in between, ate at little turkish restaurants and stayed at small hotels. Later, we hired a boat just for the two of us to buzz up and down the Bosporus. The owner/pilot drove, but turned it over to me when we left the dock and it was a blast.
Turks are fun, smart, clever, and friendly. Do not get into a negotiating match with them, as they’re just awfully good at that game and will do you in. I bought tons of stuff and learned when I got home I paid fair prices, but not bargain prices for rugs, etc. Oh well.
I’ll go back some day. But it won’t be the bargain it was back then.