Friendly people and Pivotal Value throughout history makes it a nice place to visit. The Baklava makes is an awesome place to visit. Honestly if I ever go to Turkey again, it will be for the sweets.
People seem somehow more friendly/ happy in general. Could be just something in my head, given that I was able to escape for vacation...oh well. I should add I was not all that impressed (over expectation much?!). Istanbul was way too crowded, and I will blame the group tours for the initial impression. Just sitting in traffic and having a touch point time in attractions is not my way of visiting places. At the least now i know (for most part) what I want and don't want in my vacations.
The men and women are so very pretty. Vast cultural difference like any other cosmopolitan city burka to mini skirts within couple of feet). Cappadocia on the other hand has all the touristy comforts needed and was laid back(including the darn luggage carosal at the airports). All in all, apart from the running down along iskital street away from the mob, felt totally safe all through the places visited. Late nights/ evenings, no problem what so ever. (Just walk fast and look fierce- works every where - and err be fully clothed and carry pepper spray:) ). Bosphorous ferry.. oh my after all the gold gilded reviews..hmm..I don't wnt to see freaking houses all along the river people...that's not my idea of cool!!..well it was nice to be out in the water after a day of morning rain..but I suppoe more time on the water and a swim could have changed my mind.
One week was more than sufficient I would say, I was a little on the 'meh!' side of being into things however.
The Cappadocian mountains were kinda shorter than what I expected.Boo! Kusadasi -again wish I could have done the place via a private tour (more $$$) or done with a friend.(drive around by yourself). Was actually able to survive with no phone (it is kind of liberating to be without the 24/7 connectivity). Places to stay were nice enough. Trip advisor did good on this.
Food was ok..guess the Sumac kept trying to attack me..darn thing. Baklavah....YUMMMM YUM YUMMMM
Mosques were very pretty and serene.. Sinai rocks...The elegant arches, the lights, the vast massiveness of the building are captivating. Not allowing women into the wide halls , so not cool.
The recycling of roman pagan architecture into mosques into churches gives an idea of history is written by winners...and a good representation of different paths leading to the same goal(wonder if people will look at things that way). Literally same stones, pillars used in pagan temples moved into building churches and mosques. Mosques converted into churches and churches converted into mosques. Enough already- everything looks pretty :)
Cappadodia
After all the ranting and raving I did for it kind of a let down..well the wine was exceptional and the Raki was a knock out..seriously I ambled by way 2 feet from the patio into my bed and was out in a flash, all for about 1/4 a glass of it.The hikes and underground cities were nice..but didn't leave an impression..I wonder why? Goreme open air museum was amazing.
Ephesus was amazing- to think back on the grandeur of Roman civilization...those folks lived the life (unless u were a gladiator or a slave, then ur life sucked pretty bad)
Pammakulle was interesting...darn group tours didn't have enought time after wandering through Hieriopolis with Kat. Did wade through the so called healing waters..
House of Mother Mary - A soothing place something i would attribute to Mother Mary as a living person.
Kusadasi : Neat little costal town, good for stop over.
and wild flowers too...
Local artistic work..(either too expensive or too fragile to carry around..bought zilch)
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| 7grand- u gotta be kidding me-I have to get a daily pedi to step foot on these..But the colors change then they swirl it, and your heart misses a beat at the awesome handwork |
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| Asked them if they would sell the paint (had grand visions of firing my own pottery).Well, lets just say they didn't appreciate it much |
Now I need to go to Spain to check out the mosaics. The Kariye Church mosaics were amazing...and hey I got lost only two times trying to find the place (literally stalked other tourists finally and reached the place).
Well, if I had not been spoilt by Sky-diving, I might have actually enjoyed this...and ohh also if I were not stuffed into a basket full of little chinese ladies....as I said before..Meh! (wht the hell is wrong with me?!..I forced myself to enjoy it cause the wretched thing cost quite a bit)
Lived on Street food for a day (no complaints ya...just did it on the last day, so I could fall ill after I hit home..sissy pants- not adventurous much...)
Last but not the Least - Lessons Learnt:
1. Double/triple Check your dates before booking flights. Duh->on me. No more getting into fights with Orbitz
2. Group tours suck dishwater...if there is no other way out, endure it, else escape it.
3. Hummus is not popular everywhere, no matter how much you like it :)
4.Keep an eye out on local news/weather. Don't get stuck in the middle of a riot. So not fun.
Didn't lose much stuff, except the 5TL umbrella I bought..stayed healthy, returned safe and on time, didn't miss any flights, met some really lovely people, stuffed my face enough, hiked till legs hurt, experience a mob and a earthquake, dumb charades still rule i.e did not learn a single word in turkish, didn't get any 'fire' calls from work.....yea...good trip I say (May 2014)
