Today I took my first day trip in Turkey and I went to Tarsus. The city has been one of the oldest inhabited cities in history and still has a lot of that old world charm.
I started the day at the well of St. Paul. Next to the well they have dug up an old home as well. Convenient! They can't be sure it is actually PAUL'S home but trust me they also don't try to deny it either. It is all under glass and there are a few shards of pottery that date back to his time period on display (see pics below)
I then walked through the old houses section. The houses and the details were lovely. All very different and all very cool. The saddest part was that most were either empty or rundown. I was taking pics of one place and this man came over, motioned for me to follow him, informed me he was a police man and took me inside the house. He spoke Turkish the whole time and I am sure I was getting an amazing story but sadly I couldn't understand any of it. The house was INCREDIBLY creepy and wild. The couches covered in dust, pictures of family members on the wall, stuff still in the wardrobe but apparently they had just disappeared decades ago. Great experience though!
The Turkish people are INCREDIBLY nice. Like that guy! I mean I was just walking down the street and he decided to show me the house.
I walked through this section for awhile taking WAY too many pics - most are on Facebook so check there if you want to see more pics than are on here. I shortly found myself in the middle of downtown and looking at the ruins of a Roman bath.
As I walked around I just imagined the stories those walls could tell. What it would have been like to use them during their heyday and when they went into disrepair.
As I walked through the alleys and back ways - I NEVER take the main roads - I ran across the cafe section of the city. As I walked by a whole horde of men were playing Rummikube and drinking coffee. They yelled at me in Turkish to come over and berated me with questions, only 3 of which I could answer. I was told to sit and a steaming hot cup of tea was brought to me. I sat and just soaked up the atmosphere. I drank my tea - called chai, that tastes well, like tea - and watched the men play them game. There was the obvious ring leader who sounded like what a bullfrog would sound like if he could speak English, the coach, Mummad the elder, and Ali the young (all names made up by me). They were clearly old old old friends and often met to play, gossip and drink tea. I said my thank yous and TRIED to pay for my tea but was refuted and my money was brushed aside - This would be come a theme of the day!
I bid farewell and began more exploring. I walked down alleys to nowhere, streets full of people speaking something akin to gibberish and delighted in the sights and sounds and SMELLS! I stopped by a pastry shop to sample some of the goodies I saw in the window and found that, once again, my money was no good! Lots of bowing and thank yous were exhaled and I left full and overwhelmed.
I walked through mosques, markets, and stared at people who all seemed genuinely thrilled to see me. As I walked I would often be touched on the back by a stranger only to turn to find a smile on his face and a Salam or Merhaba coming from his mouth in a greeting of HELLO! Sometimes it came in the form of English but mostly it was in the local tongue which made it even more exciting.
I visited a hamam - bathhouse - were legends says The Snake Queen was killed. I was shown the spot and indeed there were - what appeared to be splatters of blood on the wall - but the reality is it could just be rust. But I want to believe. Our schools big musical this year is an original musical about this Snake Queen so it was cool to see where she supposedly died.
I was thought to be Russian, French, Italian and oddly enough, Spanish.
I went to St. Paul's church which is really only named after him and was not created or visited by him but none the less is beautiful!
I walked to Cleopatra's Gate. This is the very spot where she and Mark Anthony first met. For some reason they have decided to cover the original stones of the gate with new stones. I would like to met the person who thought this was a good idea and smack them!
Walking back from the gate I wondered around trying to find a place my co worker told me I should eat at. It is a humus place that is supposedly out of this world. On my way I past a bakery and her shouts of "HELLO! PHOTO!" I, of course, stopped and took photos of the bread and was handed a small round "pizza". It is a small thin piece of bread with meat, spices, onions and herbs on and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD! I ate 4!!!! I was then given even more bread FRESH FROM THE WOOD BURNING STOVE! oh lord, Jesus! I was given a bottle of water and took photos. And, second verse - same as the first, when I asked how much, I was waved off. I couldn't believe it!!!! I ATE 4 PIZZAS, & 1/2 of 3 other breads and they wouldn't let me pay. Again, I bowed, professed my gratitude and smiled A LOT!
I did finally find the humus place and WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! I must admit, I am not a HUGE humus fan. I like it but I don't live for it but this was like no humus I have ever had. Each bite was like a whole new dish! I could and probably will - I bought take home - eat for days!
All in all it was a wonderful day strolling through history. I can't wait to check out some more!
Keep checking in and when I have a new adventure or crazy story I will be sure to post it!
I started the day at the well of St. Paul. Next to the well they have dug up an old home as well. Convenient! They can't be sure it is actually PAUL'S home but trust me they also don't try to deny it either. It is all under glass and there are a few shards of pottery that date back to his time period on display (see pics below)
I then walked through the old houses section. The houses and the details were lovely. All very different and all very cool. The saddest part was that most were either empty or rundown. I was taking pics of one place and this man came over, motioned for me to follow him, informed me he was a police man and took me inside the house. He spoke Turkish the whole time and I am sure I was getting an amazing story but sadly I couldn't understand any of it. The house was INCREDIBLY creepy and wild. The couches covered in dust, pictures of family members on the wall, stuff still in the wardrobe but apparently they had just disappeared decades ago. Great experience though!
The Turkish people are INCREDIBLY nice. Like that guy! I mean I was just walking down the street and he decided to show me the house.
I walked through this section for awhile taking WAY too many pics - most are on Facebook so check there if you want to see more pics than are on here. I shortly found myself in the middle of downtown and looking at the ruins of a Roman bath.
As I walked around I just imagined the stories those walls could tell. What it would have been like to use them during their heyday and when they went into disrepair.
As I walked through the alleys and back ways - I NEVER take the main roads - I ran across the cafe section of the city. As I walked by a whole horde of men were playing Rummikube and drinking coffee. They yelled at me in Turkish to come over and berated me with questions, only 3 of which I could answer. I was told to sit and a steaming hot cup of tea was brought to me. I sat and just soaked up the atmosphere. I drank my tea - called chai, that tastes well, like tea - and watched the men play them game. There was the obvious ring leader who sounded like what a bullfrog would sound like if he could speak English, the coach, Mummad the elder, and Ali the young (all names made up by me). They were clearly old old old friends and often met to play, gossip and drink tea. I said my thank yous and TRIED to pay for my tea but was refuted and my money was brushed aside - This would be come a theme of the day!
I bid farewell and began more exploring. I walked down alleys to nowhere, streets full of people speaking something akin to gibberish and delighted in the sights and sounds and SMELLS! I stopped by a pastry shop to sample some of the goodies I saw in the window and found that, once again, my money was no good! Lots of bowing and thank yous were exhaled and I left full and overwhelmed.
I walked through mosques, markets, and stared at people who all seemed genuinely thrilled to see me. As I walked I would often be touched on the back by a stranger only to turn to find a smile on his face and a Salam or Merhaba coming from his mouth in a greeting of HELLO! Sometimes it came in the form of English but mostly it was in the local tongue which made it even more exciting.
I visited a hamam - bathhouse - were legends says The Snake Queen was killed. I was shown the spot and indeed there were - what appeared to be splatters of blood on the wall - but the reality is it could just be rust. But I want to believe. Our schools big musical this year is an original musical about this Snake Queen so it was cool to see where she supposedly died.
I was thought to be Russian, French, Italian and oddly enough, Spanish.
I went to St. Paul's church which is really only named after him and was not created or visited by him but none the less is beautiful!
I walked to Cleopatra's Gate. This is the very spot where she and Mark Anthony first met. For some reason they have decided to cover the original stones of the gate with new stones. I would like to met the person who thought this was a good idea and smack them!
Walking back from the gate I wondered around trying to find a place my co worker told me I should eat at. It is a humus place that is supposedly out of this world. On my way I past a bakery and her shouts of "HELLO! PHOTO!" I, of course, stopped and took photos of the bread and was handed a small round "pizza". It is a small thin piece of bread with meat, spices, onions and herbs on and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD! I ate 4!!!! I was then given even more bread FRESH FROM THE WOOD BURNING STOVE! oh lord, Jesus! I was given a bottle of water and took photos. And, second verse - same as the first, when I asked how much, I was waved off. I couldn't believe it!!!! I ATE 4 PIZZAS, & 1/2 of 3 other breads and they wouldn't let me pay. Again, I bowed, professed my gratitude and smiled A LOT!
I did finally find the humus place and WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! I must admit, I am not a HUGE humus fan. I like it but I don't live for it but this was like no humus I have ever had. Each bite was like a whole new dish! I could and probably will - I bought take home - eat for days!
All in all it was a wonderful day strolling through history. I can't wait to check out some more!
Keep checking in and when I have a new adventure or crazy story I will be sure to post it!
