Thoughts on Turkey

Have I mentioned cucumbers, egg plant, tomatoes, yogurt, olives or
pudding? Now very familiar with all of the aforementioned products.
Forgot to tell you that we have also been the captive subjects of a
turkish delight (lokum) store, onyx outlet, ceramic outlet, carpet
weaving demonstration and carpet showing ( I did like seeing the silk
coccoons and how silk is made), and the most fantastic was the leather
fashion show. Actually Joel and I passed on the fashion show and spent
the time outside the leather den of inequity (sp?). We'll tell you all
about that fiasco, just ask.

People are very surprised by our use of a few Turkish words- but now
we must focus on Bulgarian as we will be traveling there by overnight
train Monday night. It is a sleeper car for 4 people- and there is
the possibility we will have to share the space!? We'll let you know.

We have been so busy that I have had very little opportunity to write
in my travel journal. Joel has been taking a lot of pictures, and I
have been taking a picture of Joel occasionally . Donna and Herb are
also taking a few pics so it will be fun to share pictures.

We are traveling with a couple from Australia and a young couple from
New Zealand. Aussies and Kiwis. So tomorrow we will be touring
Gallipoli, a place that is seared into their countries national
consciousness. Sounds like it is a real pilgrimage for them. The
guide book says that it is one of the few places with out a tourist
market outside the site.

Today we were in Troy. When I was 13 or so I made a model of the
Trojan Horse ( complete with trap door) and drew a map of the Aegean
Sea. It was really something to visit that site. Now I need the Cliff
Notes version of Homer's writing.

We also went to Aesclepion, a healing center. That was pretty cool.
Washed my hands in the water from the well, very moving to think about
how many ill people traveled there for assistance. Water was an
integral part of the healing process including having the sound of
water surround the sleeping rooms.

It's late and we have an early ferry to catch tomorrow morning.