Turkey

Turkey is a transcontinental country located mainly in Western Asia with a smaller portion in Southeast Europe. It serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, making it a significant cultural and geographical crossroad.

August 2024

Our day involved a massive tour off the port of Kuşadası, Turkey.

We began with a drive through the city and toward the House of Virgin Mary. This location is believed to be the final resting place of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This small stone house is situated on a mountain, offering a serene and spiritual atmosphere that attracts visitors from around the world.

We received the chance to leave notes of our wishes and gratitudes in a designated wall area, contributing to the sense of reverence. The peaceful setting enhances the experience, making it a memorable visit for those who come seeking spiritual connection.

We then visited the Ephesus Ruins. This location is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world, showcasing the grandeur of ancient Roman civilization. Ephesus was founded in the 10th century BC and became a prominent city in the Roman Empire. The site offers a glimpse into the daily life of ancient civilizations, with well-preserved structures and intricate carvings that tell stories of the past. Visitors can explore the ruins through guided tours, allowing them to appreciate the historical context and architectural brilliance of this ancient city.

Travelling to a village, Sirince, we climbed through a window with stairs on either side to reach a balcony that overlooked the view.

We were brought by surprise when our tip led us to a wonderful experience of Turkish coffee preparation. Turkish coffee is a traditional method of brewing coffee that involves finely ground coffee beans, water, and often sugar.

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A pan or container filled with sand is heated to a specific temperature. The coffee pot is then placed in the sand to brew the coffee. This method allows for better control over the brewing temperature, resulting in a flavourful cup of coffee. The gentle heating ensures a rich flavour and aromatic experience, making it a delightful ritual for coffee lovers. My family adored the taste. While walking through this village, we indulged in wine tasting. Any flavour you could think of was available for testing. We even tried chocolate wine!

Last but certainly not least was a Rug Exhibition. This place was full of beautifully crafted art works.

First, they showed us the process of making the rugs, threading individuals silk strings, from raw to finish. The quality was astonishing. My mother and sister got their own turn at adding a thread to the rug. Next we were walked through a museum-like display of rugs, I was astounded at the possibilities.

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We were then brought into a private show-case room. Suddenly, the associates rolled out about a 100 rugs on the enormous floor in front of our seats. This display was marvellous. As someone who has never thought about purchasing a rug, this was an extremely fascinating experience, who knew rugs could be so interesting. For the quality, the prices were exceptional, as they even shipped any rug to your home. Although it broke my heart to leave this Tiger rug behind, I surely gained a knowledge in this craftsmanship. This place is called the Ottoman Weaving Center, or Yükssel Halıcılık. I speak highly of this experience.