Amber and Paul's latest endever was a trip to Cappadocia. This is the most important city in Turkey aside from Istanbul. Here lies the foundation of the Christian religion and the remains of an ancient civilization. One of which was an underground city that supported over 25000 people who were taking salvation from surrounding armies. Incredible right? The Christians of Cappadocia built the majority of their houses in the wild rock formations that formed from heavy wind and rain deterioration. The result of these early strong weather conditions left the ground material extremely soft and easy to carve into. Over the centuries the rocks hardened and became resistant to reformation. Thus the beautiful historical and visual landmarks that engulf the area. The history is very important to the people because of its religious background. Churches houses EVERYTHING! was built into the rocks.
Amber and I were lucky enough to take a tour by bus to the most intruiging locations such as pottery, wine, Turkish carpet and stone carving companies that represented the heritage for hundreds of years. The cultural experience was the icing on the cake! With Amber to translate the Turkish tour guide, we surrounded ourselves with what would be the highlight of Paul's trip to Turkiye!


We just had to include this wonderful rendition of The Simpsons. The caption next to Homer says, ''He is the most Modern''.
P.S. Marge is wearing what looks like a traditional Islamic headscarf on her head.














This is the entrance to the Pottery studio and gift shop. Like most origional businesses in the area it was built into the rocks. For 200 years the same family has owned and operated this biz.















This is where the intricate artists were working on their masterpieces. Because of the small detail in painting, the artist is forced to take many breaks, almost every half hour. They worked an average of 3-4 hours a day.















TURASAN is the oldest winery in Cappadocia. They feature hundreds of different wines here. Afterwards, we had wine tasting where we proceeded to drink as much as we could, but the glasses were too small to satisfy our urges. The wine was delicious!

This was one of the many stops in which we were the last ones to return to the tour bus. We were given raffle tickets at the winery. Paul had mentioned that everyone probably hated us for being the last ones on the tour bus and would hate us more if we won the raffle. Paul won the raffle. We have the wine stand to prove it.











Our next stop was the original Turkish carpet emporium. Similar to the pottery artists, these weavers limited themselves to an estimated time of 4 and a half hours a day because of the strain on their eyes. The difference between Turkish carpet weaving from other countries' carpets is that Turkish carpet uses double thread instead of the typical single threading. This ensures durability. We had the priviledge of walking on an $8000 silk rug. They say the more you walk on a rug the more valuable it becomes. The average size cotton on cotton rug takes 4-6 months.









This photo gives you a large scale perspective of Cappadocia's commitment to preserving the lifestyle they represent. What a view!











They call this the Mama, the Papa and the child. We call it 2 dicks and a dong. Quite fallic if you haven't noticed.

















Paulber.


















The Evil Eye tree.


















He kept smiling at us so we took a photo. Please no comments on this one. No misconceptions here. Turks aren't camel riders. Just donkeys....











Paul was at the top of mountain but he thought he wasn't high enough. He wasn't high at all.












This was an ancient church cave where only literate people (very few) were allowed to paint and write these biblical scenes. The feet were avoided in many paintings, we are not sure why. Sorry.









Here we have the Swirling Dervishes who have the ability to spin for up to a couple of hours without stopping. Very few people occupy this distinct ability. It was a very special occation to have this performance because this year was the 800th anniversary of the family who began this tradition. Eat this ballerinas!







The same night we also watched a live music show, watched folk dancers and belly dancers. The folk dancers concluded our evening by inviting all the guest on to the dance floor proceeding to take us outside and dance around a bonfire. We were accompanied by a drummer and a horn player.







Paul is Turkified.













On our journey back to Istanbul, the last stop was Salt Lake. It had the look and texture of snow without the freezing temperature. Like most local visitors it is common to walk barefoot for its theraputic effect.















Paul found the most fascinating rock!













By the end of the trip we befriended a group of medical students who represented several countries, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Egypt. The guy in red was our tour guide and earned our trust being the only Americans on the bus.

Befrıened = to become frıends. Paul wrote thıs.








This was the ultimate Turkish experience. We couldn't have asked for anythıng more.......
Renan and Canan we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here lies some further adventures of Paul and Amber in Turkey Shmurkey.
Did you know the Turkish flag represents the reflection of the crescent moon in a pool of blood during the war of salvation? Each man who is a resident of Turkey must serve in the military, Making it one of the most dominant militaries in the world. Don't mess with Turkey!!!!!!









Paul infront of Istanbul Modern Museum. Their current exhibit is of Andreas Gursky, he is selling a Formula1 photoshopped photo for $3 million. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to have our cameras out, but we snuck a couple pics.

You can see it on istanbulmodern.org











The library of the bottom floor was covered in books from ground to ceiling. It was so beautiful. Photo taken inside the purse.

















Kids section.












Forbidden Zone of Dolma Bahce. More photos to come from here. The guards don't smile, don't blink and don't even breath.












Inside the Metro. Paul was recording very non-chalantly with his mic in his hand. These girls were very excited to be recordered. They played a very old Turkish classical song, which you may all hear some time in the future.












On a Wednesday, Suada. People are trying to get their last days of vacation in the sun here at the island. This is where Cengiz, Amber's father, works.
Drink Prices:
Soda 10 YTL
Soda w/alcohol 20
Frozens 25 YTL
Water 5 YTL $1 is 1.3 YTL









We do not know this man.












We were lucky to find a Pirate DVD store by the Metro center. We had been looking for a very long time. We snuck this one in when the salesman walked away for a moment. A police officer walked in while we were in there to grab a seat for himself, we were surprised and not so surprised.










A resort by the Black Sea. It looks like its from another planet with the umbrellas. Over 500,000 years ago the Mediteranean Sea clapsed with a fresh water lake and created the Black Sea. All the fresh water fished died and sunk the the bottom of the sea, hence its name. The evaporation of water has caused the volume of salt to increase, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water. Its depth is unknown.









Backgammon is the equivalent of Chess here. Cengiz (Amber's dad), Paul and Mustafa.












Muslim is a name of a Turkish singer who sings Arabesque songs.















Difference of classes. It is about 2.50 -3 YTL for one liter, which means anywhere between $100-150 to fill up a tank each time. This boy is selling tissues.








We are going on a vacation to Cappadocia. We will be gone for 3 days and will return with many photos. If you have any comments or questions or want to say hi:
aisbilen@hotmail.com
or pheimy@netscape.net

Turkiye Events

Idil's birthday dinner, 13.08.07, at Sunset Restaurant. It overlooks the entire Bosphorus.












Idils relatives at Bday dinner. Woman on the right owns an Island. All three of them were a blast!!












Idil and Amber celebrated both their birthdays with their friends on a boat that went all around the Bosphorus Sea.




Idil, Amber, Paul and Ali. After cutting the cake. Ali has become a good friend of ours, he is who Paul went to Jam with the other week and he is in a popular band here in Turkiye, called Celikes.










For any of you who know our dear friend Steven Huffaker from the States, we have found his double.

















After Ambers Bday boat ride we celebrated with karaoke at princess hotel! blogspot will not allow us to post this wonderfull audio clip.













Amber's family threwe a Graduation/Bday party for Amber, myself, and Utku Ambers cousin. As you can see the english translation was extremely accurate. HA!











This is BERK! He is ambers cousin who proceeded to sing happybirthday over and over again every time we re lit the candles. Berk is the funniest little kid you ever met!!!
dont worry there are more pics of him to come.
















We attended a Folklorik concert as a gift from amber's Aunt to celebrate her Bday. Ya a lot of Bday celebration I know. The music was modern traditional and included beautiful singers, a full band, and well coriographed dance group.
This was a good audio clip. I think i will make a link to myspace for audio clips cause there are so many good ones.








Another pic from Folklorik














WE went to a futbol game with Amber's Aunt Gulgun.
Feherbace is the team we represent and the team that won!!

















What a game! I scored an audio clip of team nam intro, the national anthem and a goal all in the first ten minutes of the game. It's incredible and i cant wait tshare it will all of you!!











Yesterday we got this pick of a man cooking Pide. It is a traditional turkish appetizer a lot like pizza. SOOOOO good. Cheap too.












Ok more to come. I hope this is enough to tie you over till next time. It is a bummer you cant comment without being a member. Blogspot is no good, but we must push on!!!!!

Turkiye Photos

Alittle turkish coffee and cuban cigar never hurt no one!
Especially at Paul Caffe!
















Inside the Hagia Sophia. One of the seven wonders of the world.


















Our friend Ward we ran into is the blonde guy. To the left in Black is Erin, Ambers sis We are at the Grand Bizarre. This is where the hustle and bargaining run free.

















One of the the more scenic mosques close to where we stay/ Prayer is heard five times a day through an intercom at all mosques each with a live vocalist!












This is Olympos Antalya, the southern coast of Turkey where the eternal flame of Zues burns. It ironically resembles Tahoe if you ask me. HOT!















The Hookkah/Backgammon experience at a city block fully cunsumed of hookkah bars! Any flavor you could possibly imagine! Seriously..













One of the 2 Medusa heads located in the Cistern which is an ancient roman water source underground. It actually is sideways if you were wondering. We went here right after the Hagia Sophia, one of the first places we went. I swear this is the only out of order picture!










STAY TUNED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!