Now We’re Talkin Turkey and Greece

 Today we flew from Istanbul to Cappadocia. We stop along the way to see how rugs were made and even purchased a runner for the entry hall.  Cappadocia is full of rock formations and charming streets. Our hotel here is actually under the rock formations in a cave structure—very cozy. For dinner we had clay pot lamb cooked 4hrs in pottery made by the people in the town. Turkish rug superiority Vickie tried out the loom finished silkworm Our room was quite quaint Clay pot had to be tappped to open

 We learned that the number of spires was indicative of both the size and prosperity through parishioners' donations to the mosque. Originally, the minarets were a place to call for prayer. This has now been replaced with loud speakers.  The mosques are in constant renovation Amazing Architecture  The women’s heads had to be covered This is what you wore if you forgot your head covering like I did. Hagia Sophia Mosque Our group did a better job of bringing head covering The Blue Mosque is named for it’s interior blue tiles. A German Fountain Supported by 4 main columns Beautiful Views from the boat. A dinner Cruise with eyes! We lost one of the members of the group going back to the bus causing a bit of excitement. We finally left finding that he had safely walked back to the hotel. Whew!

Today we took Ferry to the Asian side of the Dardanelles. There we  toured the Gallipoli battlefields of World  War I where the ( ANZAC) Australia New Zealand Army Corp fought against the Turks.   Since most of our group was from Austrailia, it was an emotional experience for most. They sang the Australian National  anthem, and many had tears in their eyes as they visited the battlefields.  The Ferry rid An emotional time for many Australia, New Zealand, Army Corp Too many headstones Even though it was sad for those around us, it was an important  history lesson for me and possibly therapeutic for others.   After our long drive home, Randy and I explored the area around our hotel, visited shops  and had a wonderful local meal of  lamb and kebabs.      

  We collected our bags for an 8:30 departure and 4 hour bus trip to Troy.  Bosphorus Strait on our left Randy enjoying the bus ride I, on the other hand, took pictures of clouds, something only my artists friends can understand. At the open air ruins of Troy we learn about the many levels of Troy, Troy I -Troy IX— all discovered below one another.  The Trojan Horse Did it really have windows, who knows?    Randy at the City Gate of Troy Rats. Most of my pictures from the site did not upload from my phone to my laptop. After viewing the archeological site, we went to the archaeological museum to explore more history. . The earings or Kupe looks modern Terracotta weights on the loom were interesting

Ugh, I had a terrible nights sleep. Still jet lagged, I didn’t sleep  a wink after 1:00 am. After breakfast we had a day on our own, and spent it riding all over Istanbul, seeing Mosques, Palaces, cats (Istanbul is full of them) and more. The "15 July Martyrs Bridge “ that connects the  European side of Istanbul to the Asian side, reminded me of the Golden Gate Bridge. After all of that sightseeing, we had a lovely Lupper (Lunch/Supper) at a restaurant under a bridge where fishermen were fishing for sardines!  We were having so much fun, we missed the last bus—and  had to hot foot it  back to the hotel to make it to a 7 pm Welcome meeting. During that meeting I nearly fell out of my chair— I was nodding off so badly. I whispered to Randy that I was falling asleep, and he said he was too! We made it an early night, and packed a bag for our overnight trip to Troy,  and Gallipoli the following morning.  I sure hope I sleep tonight. Randy is already snorin...

 We waited for someone to pick us up at the airport after our 12, not 15 hour flight, but alas were stood up. After several phone calls, our pimp mobile arrived and we were on our way! Much sleep was needed so we crashed in our Port Bosphorus Hotel room and took a 7-hour nap. Bosphorus Strait is a waterway located in Turkey which is straddled by Istanbul. It connect the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and forms one of the continental boundaries between Asia and Europe. We ate dinner at the top of the Hotel which provided us with quite a view.  After a dinner of Lamb and Salmon we hit the streets to find a bank for converting moola.

  We are getting ready to embark on our Turkey/Greece trip. Here is a sneak peak of where we are gong. Stay tuned for my daily posts and pics. Mostly pics. I apologize now for any misspellings and grammatical mistakes. I will be writing this on the fly after a long day of sight seeing, taking pictures and eating!