The country of Turkey, unlike what some of you may think, is a friendly, USA loving country. Turkey stands with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia/Middle East. The country has been connected to Islam, Judaism and Christianity since the beginning of time. But the country is 95% Muslim now.
Our trip started in Istanbul which the new modern blended with the very old.
The country was overrun by many armies through the centuries from Greeks to Romans and more. They all left there architecture and bits of culture there which still linger.
After a few days, we traveled South along the coast to other cities and towns, getting a feel of the local people, foods and culture. Visiting a school and staying in a home with a great farming family.
The trip also enclosed a four day and night cruise on a Gulet along the famed South Turquoise Coast of Turkey. It was gorgeous with its crystal blue waters and the numerous rocky coves for anchoring the night. Daytime was taken up with hiking up the hills to ruins and visiting nomadic families.
The last couple days of our trip took us to some of the weirdest rock formations I had ever seen. Sandstone castles called Fairy Rocks. Century old people dug homes and whole cities into them for shelter and sometimes protection from raiding troops.
Except for the flight back to Istanbul, our trip ended there. It was a eye-opening trip to the culture and misgivings we in the US believe about the TURKS. It just proved to me, all Muslims are not what we see on the TV. Those are radicals and NOT the norm. They are actually very peaceful and caring people. I am glad and honored to have met them and came back with a much better understanding of them and hopefully, they have of us.
The country was overrun by many armies through the centuries from Greeks to Romans and more. They all left there architecture and bits of culture there which still linger.
After a few days, we traveled South along the coast to other cities and towns, getting a feel of the local people, foods and culture. Visiting a school and staying in a home with a great farming family.
The trip also enclosed a four day and night cruise on a Gulet along the famed South Turquoise Coast of Turkey. It was gorgeous with its crystal blue waters and the numerous rocky coves for anchoring the night. Daytime was taken up with hiking up the hills to ruins and visiting nomadic families.
The last couple days of our trip took us to some of the weirdest rock formations I had ever seen. Sandstone castles called Fairy Rocks. Century old people dug homes and whole cities into them for shelter and sometimes protection from raiding troops.
Except for the flight back to Istanbul, our trip ended there. It was a eye-opening trip to the culture and misgivings we in the US believe about the TURKS. It just proved to me, all Muslims are not what we see on the TV. Those are radicals and NOT the norm. They are actually very peaceful and caring people. I am glad and honored to have met them and came back with a much better understanding of them and hopefully, they have of us.
