Aug. 23 - 24. If Utah has Bryce and Zion National Park, then Turkey has Cappadocia. It is a geological wonderland both in terms of natural and religious aspect. Here are the places I have visited:
Avanos
Avanos is a small town famous for its pottery and carpets. It is built along the banks of
the Kizilirmak (Halys ("salty") River), the longest river originating and ending
within the borders of Turkey (842 miles). It originates from the northeast of Central
Anatolia and flows into the Black Sea. Its water is colored by Cappadocia’s rich
deposits of clay, hence Kizilirmak, the Red River. This feature makes the potteries of
Avanos sought after by tourists. Very nice but expensive!
However, it is also a place where I had my first "authentic" Turkish bath ("hamams") with a little variation, it is "coed" and the masseuse are GUYS!. A little different from my Swedish and Shiatsu massage.
The process starts in the "Hot" room. The Romans called it the calderium, the Turks call it the sicaklik. After 20 mins, you dip yourself to a cold pool. Then to the big marble set in the middle of the bath called the Navel Stone where you wait your turn to have your body be treated by the masseuse. You will be scrubbed with a "kese." The dead skin will come out. Then you will be soaped and massaged. After that you take a shower and off you go a central living room where you will be served tea to complete the most relaxing experience.
Caravansaries
These are public buildings built on the caravan routes for trade in normal times
and for military use in times of emergencies. Because they were made to be utilized
by the caravans, the distances between them were arranged according to the usual
distance a camel could walk. A caravan could walk for about a day, and would
not want to continue at night time. This meant that caravansaries were needed
every
25-40km/15-26mi.
(left
to right) Rebecca, Brad, Amanda, Libby, Laurie, Lou Ann, Andrea,
Sanelda, Carmelita, Trudi, Sally-Ann, Marietta, James, Elizabeth,
Andelys, Angela, Renee, Connie; |
The Anatolian Seljuks particularly understood the importance of trade and did a lot to encourage it. In these buildings they provided the caravans with every possible service such as places to sleep, hamams, mosques, doctors and veterinarians, kitchens, coffeehouses, libraries, etc. There were times in which any service was free of charge for the sake of active trade. The rulers of caravansaries were also responsible for security. Today there are approximately 120 caravansaries still standing in Anatolia.
Aug. 24 - Arrived Ankara after lunch. Visited the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. Then onto the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. It was our last night with Dana and Elmure.
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