Turkey is known around the world for it's naturally dyed, hand knotted carpets. They also make the most exquisite rugs from pure silk.
On the whole UK cats tend to be territorial, solitary
animals. In Turkey they all huddle up together, play, sleep and wash
each other in groups. That is because mostly they are not pets but are
looked after by everyone. I saw a man with a tray of food and as soon as
he appeared about 50 cats quickly surrounded him from under bushes, up
trees, and behind buildings. It is the same with dogs, which often
wander around in pairs. They are all rounded up from time to time, taken
to the vets for their various vaccinations and checks then released.
Early morning and protection from the 'evil eye' is evident in Cappadocia
The Turkish Delight bears no resemblance to that in the UK. It is slightly chewy, not so sweet, and made in lots of wonderful flavours, often including various types of nut. The above is a pomegranate flavour with hazelnuts and then dusted with coconut.
Before breakfast one day we heard a loud siren - it was 75 years following the death of Atatürk, the highly respected founder of modern Turkey.
Sunday morning in Avanos, a town famed for both carpets and pottery
The Greeks were successful traders, merchants, and artisans in Turkey even before the Romans and had a huge influence on the development of the country. You can recognise the Greek Patrician houses by their arches and carved stonework.
A "caravanserai" - a medieval hostelry guaranteeing a safe night's rest for both merchants and beasts. These were built every 30 kilometres along the Silk Road in Turkey which represented a days ride.
Very early in the morning on most days hot air balloons take to the air in the valleys of Cappadocia. This video can be made full screen.
A farewell sunset over the Mediterranean sea
Beautiful corners and colours of the world!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs from Jerez
Colourful is a good word to sum up Turkey.
DeleteA lovely pot pourri of the sights of Turkey, Rosemary. The hanks of wool are dyed the most gorgeous colours; no wonder the carpets are fabulous. As a fan of Turkish delight, I am intrigued by the pomegranate flavour and the addition of nuts. It would be delicious I'm sure. Love those old buildings!
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia - the turkish delight comes in so many different flavours and styles. I have bought some mixed nuts and also some pistachio delight home with me, but it is being saved for Christmas.
DeleteThere are many wonderful things to purchase in Turkey which are both exquisitely made and beautifully designed.
A wonderful collection of photos Rosemary. I would love to sit and watch the carpet makers at their craft. The Turkish Delight truly does look delightful, unlike that which we have here too!
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to watch the carpet makers, the designs were so complex - you can probably see the little chart she was following on the photo. Most of all the silk carpets were amazing, made with just two or three fine threads of silk in each knot.
DeleteBeautiful photos. Carpet/mats, just thinking how costly if hand made down here....I wonder how much the lady is paid, I suppose you have no idea.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video. Won't go into that 'evil eye' for I once wrote about it in a comment to you.
Turkish Delight, looks delicious, enjoy for Christmas.
Lovely sunset, I expect one of many in Turkey.
Yes, the sunsets were lovely every night - I don't know how much the lady is paid for all her meticulous knot tying. The carpets are very expensive in Turkey too, but they are made with top class wood and silk, and of course natural dyes, and take months of work.
DeleteThe carpet being made in the second photo is gorgeous. Seeing the minarets reminded me of staying in Marrakech. Turkey must have felt like a completely different culture, and yet so close to Europe.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely carpet in beautiful shades of wool and full of imagery which all had meaning to those who understand the symbols.
DeleteI have been to Marrakech too, and although Turkey is very exotic it does not feel quite such a different culture as Morocco. I think that may be because most people wear a more western style of clothing.
Such cute cats! Lovely views and pictures, Rosemary. I have never been to Turkey, so thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI liked the way the cats grouped together and seemed to take care of each other Satu.
DeleteHi Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteTHOSE CATS ARE SOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE! I love cats.
From: Bea Cupcake
They were lovely Bea♥
DeleteCores, que cores ! Das lãs para os tapetes, dos gatos que parecem ter sido pintados a mão, o por de sol
Deletelindas fotos, mas parecem telas pintadas por um grande artista.
beijos,
Léah
Dear Léah - thank you for your really kind comment which I appreciate very much.
DeleteWhat an amazing landscape, from the ground as well as from a hot air balloon.
ReplyDeleteLove your sunset picture! Absolutely wonderful!
Marian
Thanks Marian - the landscape is absolutely wonderful - lovely sunsets most nights because of the fine, clear, sunny, days.
DeleteAnother wonderful post about Turkey, Rosemary. How lovely to see the famous carpets being made. I do love the sense of ancient history and tradition from your posts. It is fascinating to see that very old places are still being lived in and that centuries-old, ways of doing things seem as strong as ever.
ReplyDeleteThe sunset over the sea is beautiful.
The quality of the goods to buy was very high as long as you get them from the reputable sources. We have decided that, given the opportunity, we shall return to Turkey again, and discover more, we hope.
DeleteHello Rosemary, These photos illustrate the need to go and seek out different places. Looking at them, I was stuck how not one of these, even the sunset beach at the end, could have been taken anyplace I know either in America or Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteHello Jim - what an interesting observation - Your mention of the beach sunset reminds me that I have noticed mountains in different parts of the world have their own uniqueness too.
DeleteTurkish Delight...mmm...so sweet....and the colour is so beautiful...here in the shop we have only the soft colour Turkish Delight.
ReplyDeleteThe carpets are so beautiful....also verry nice colours.
I don't know Turkey is such a nice country.
Have a nice evening Rosemary.
Greetings,
Inge, my choice
Dear Inge - The Turkish Delight is not as sweet in Turkey, I think it relies much more on the flavours and added ingredients. I have got some which I am saving to open at Christmas.
DeleteThese photos are Turkish delight to me.... absolutely fascinating and interesting! You must have had a magic time and it is just splendid that you shared it with us! Christa
ReplyDeleteThank you Christa - the trip turned out to be quite an eye opener and a bit of an adventure too.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteThe photograph of the tree with all the evil eyes is stunning — and you have such a good eye!
I was introduced to Atatürk through an amazing photograph of him by Alfred Eisenstaedt. In the photograph, Atatürk is reading a telegram while holding a cup of coffee, a liquer, and a cigarette holder — obviously he was a multi-multi-tasker!
Dear Mark - glad you enjoyed the photograph of the tree with the evil eye protectors.
DeleteI looked on Google to see if I could find the image you were talking about of Atatürk, but sadly could not find it.
I enjoyed the ride in the air balloons , definitely a landscape you won't forget. And the tree with all the eyes is incredible !
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane, glad that you enjoyed the ride and also enjoyed the tree with the evil eye protectors.
DeleteGorgeous shots, Rosemary! Turkey looks like a beautiful and colourful country. Love the cats, the carpet, and all of the other sights.
ReplyDeleteDear Marie - we enjoyed so much about this trip that we shall definitely return again sometime.
DeleteDid you take a balloon ride? It must be such an incredible experience flying with some many other balloons over this landscape. You have shown us so many delightful things from your Turkey trip and interesting that it was run by a German company. We had many Turks working in the town where I used to live.
ReplyDeleteSarah x
People who took the balloon ride said it was one of the most magical experiences of their lives.
DeleteI am pleased you saw the comment I made about the German company just in case it happened to be of any interest to you.
So beautiful the blues of the 'evil eyes', the colours of the wool, the rugs and so on, but most beautiful are these living creatures, the cats. O yes, the Turkish delights are mouthwatering.
ReplyDeleteThe cats were lovely, well fed and cared for but in a different way to ours. I am dying to open the box of turkish delight that I bought home, but it must wait until Christmas.
DeletePięknie opisałaś i pokazałaś na zdjeciach kawałek Turcji, który widziałaś. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully you describe and the pictures you showed a bit of Turkey, who saw. Yours.
Thank you Giga - glad you enjoyed seeing a bit of Turkey.
DeleteΥοu are a gifted photographer, I already knew that but your photos from Turkey are incredibly eye-catching! I distinguish the first one, the fourth and the last! Oh, I could stay in front of my laptop for hours just watching them and wondering and dreaming of how different are our lives from country to country...Really "powerful" photos Rosemary, you create excellent posts!
ReplyDeleteWish you a happy week!
Dear Olympia - I am overwhelmed by your very kind comment. I am happy that you enjoyed seeing the images from Turkey - next year when I visit Greece I hope to get some good images of your homeland to share with you.
DeleteWhat an interesting post Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so beautiful. Your baloon trip. The area you were in Capadocia..looks more like its out in the country.. so you could , I am sure get the real feel of the Turkish people.. Their carpets are so beautiful.
Did you bring one home!
An exciting trip .. enjoyed this post , as always. thank you.
Val xx
Dear Val - Cappadocia is situated on the Anatolian plain in central Turkey.
DeleteWe did not bring a carpet back home, but might have been tempted if we had needed one. Several people did buy themselves one. H treated himself to a beautiful leather jacket which he is very pleased with.
Glad you enjoyed the post Val.
I’m interested in how dogs and cats are taken care in Turkey. Cats are aloof from each other in Japan, too. I learned Turkish Delight in C.S.Lewis’ “The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe” for the first time and have wondered what it was like or imagined it must be moreish. Turkey seems to have both charms of the West and the East. I like the way you ended this post with a sunset scene. Have a nice week, rosemary.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Dear Yoko - I have bought back a big box of Turkish Delight for us to enjoy at Christmas time.
DeleteI was very curious to see the behaviour of the cats - it was interesting to observe how they behaved when living in a different environment and culture - I hadn't expected that.
We shall definitely return to Turkey, and hopefully discover a different area of the country, which I feel has a lot to offer the tourist.
A [post with so much to absorb! The colors of the yard, the food -- all of it. And the cats! beautiful pictures and I didn't know about their behavior/ownership being different there. Thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteDear Sanda - each day in Turkey turned out to be a bit of an adventure. We saw and did so many things that we have never seen or done before. Glad that you enjoyed seeing the post.
DeleteWow!!! This post makes me dream of going to Turkey!!!! The cats are so adorable… Thank you for capturing all this!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Marica
Lovely to hear from you Marcia - when your children are grown up, don't just dream, but visit Turkey and you will enjoy it.
DeleteThanks for your visit Valerie - I intend to get back to Turkey too.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing and learning about these wonderful places with you. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteTurkey is such an interesting country to visit, we shall definitely return.
DeleteDear Rosemary,i know so much about Cappadokia ,reading books for the Greeks who lived there,and learning from school too.Wonderful pictures from the culture and civilization of Turkey!Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteDimi...
Thank you Dimi for your kind comment. The Greek culture and civilisation have left behind a remarkable legacy in Turkey.
DeleteWauw, just fantastic Rosemary. We would love to visit Cappadocia and will do eventually. The question is when.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Dear Filip - at sometime you definitely must fit in a visit to Cappadocia.
DeleteAmazing photos! They're all so gorgeous. I especially love the shot of all the evil eyes dangling from the tree.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much - the background has given that photo an 'other worldly appearance'.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteso wonderful photographs, thank you! The 'Turkish delight' make my mouth water - and the tree with the spells against 'evil eyes' is beautiful! I didn't know about the cats (and dogs) living like that (though in Italy and Spain I saw a lot of semi-wild ones) - so many ginger cats - looking happy.
Dear Brigitta - the cats seemed to be very happy and contented, they were well fed and healthy looking.
DeleteI have some Turkish Delight which I am saving for Christmas - I have been very restrained and not tried any yet.
Such an interesting trip !! I liked the colors of the carpets that they make !!
ReplyDeleteNice photos as always !! Thank that you sharing with us !
Thank you Olympia♥
DeleteAnother glorious post, Rosemary, and oh, those colours! I hate Turkish Delight as sold here, but the real version sounds much more appealing. :-)
ReplyDeleteMe too Perpetua - this Turkish Delight is a totally different animal - for Christmas I have a box of pistachio and mixed nuts which I have managed to resist opening so far.
DeleteBeautiful photos Rosemary. I loved Turkey and your images bring back lovely memories! x
ReplyDeleteWe shall definitely return to Turkey Penny but explore another area.
Delete