Here's a scenario that has 4 stops. Check out the google map here.
1. Istanbul (Stops A and E)
2. Cappadocia (B)
3. Hierapolis - Pamukkale (C)
4. Ephesus (D)
Of course, there's also Troy to visit as well...
DOH!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Hierapolis and Pamukkale
Um... Can you say "ancient hot springs"? I sure can! Hierapolis-Pamukkale is one stop I think I just might need to make. It is a World UNESCO site too!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierapolis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamukkale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierapolis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamukkale
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Romance
There's something romantic about planning a trip by yourself. It's more of an adventurous romance than a traditional romance.
Being single, it's easy to look at couples and think how lucky they are to have one another. But on the other side of the fence is that I get to do exactly what I want when I want. This trip, for example, gives me the chance to spend time with myself, my thoughts, doing the things that excite and challenge me. I can have everything I want with just myself.
When I imagine myself on this trip, I imagine solitary walks through colorful neighborhoods. I will treat myself to a visit to see the oldest treaty known to history (future blog post about this to come). I will sit and watch people in silence, listening to only the air and the sounds of the city around me. I will meet other travelers in hostels who I would not have met if I stayed in a hotel. If I want to spend all afternoon staring at one painting in one museum, then I will do just that.
Romance doesn't need to equal roses and candle lit dinners. It doesn't need to equal physical intimacy or a ring on your finger. Romance can be getting yourself out of a rut, it can be stretching your limits and getting out of your comfort zone. Romance can mean simply being with yourself.
Being single, it's easy to look at couples and think how lucky they are to have one another. But on the other side of the fence is that I get to do exactly what I want when I want. This trip, for example, gives me the chance to spend time with myself, my thoughts, doing the things that excite and challenge me. I can have everything I want with just myself.
When I imagine myself on this trip, I imagine solitary walks through colorful neighborhoods. I will treat myself to a visit to see the oldest treaty known to history (future blog post about this to come). I will sit and watch people in silence, listening to only the air and the sounds of the city around me. I will meet other travelers in hostels who I would not have met if I stayed in a hotel. If I want to spend all afternoon staring at one painting in one museum, then I will do just that.
Romance doesn't need to equal roses and candle lit dinners. It doesn't need to equal physical intimacy or a ring on your finger. Romance can be getting yourself out of a rut, it can be stretching your limits and getting out of your comfort zone. Romance can mean simply being with yourself.
Rick Steve's has a sense of humor. Who knew?!
I almost spit up my chai tea this morning when I read this from Rick Steve's Istanbul:
“Aramaic is also the language spoken by Jesus Christ, most other New Testament figures, and Mel Gibson.” P. 159
For those of you who are not familiar with Aramaic, here's my perspective on why this quote is so particularly funny:
“Aramaic is also the language spoken by Jesus Christ, most other New Testament figures, and Mel Gibson.” P. 159
For those of you who are not familiar with Aramaic, here's my perspective on why this quote is so particularly funny:
o The Aramaic that Jesus and the other New Testament figures spoke is considered
a “dead language” which means that it isn’t spoken any more. Not only that, we
don’t actually know what it sounded like, so it’s kind of impossible for Mel
Gipson to speak it. His version of Aramaic is probably based more on modern Syrian
Aramaic. They probably have similarities, but that can’t exactly be proved. Seriously, Mel Gipson, leave the
writing of stories about Jesus to the scholars. Please. Let’s
not confuse people more.
o I also find this humorous in part because in Graduate School, I took a course in Aramaic so that I could read the Book of Daniel (The only Hebrew Bible book entirely written in Aramaic). It was one of the most traumatizing things I’ve ever done, learning Aramaic. Mostly because I sucked at it. Hebrew was easier for some reason (despite the fact that they are very similar). I partially blame the teacher.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
What Not to Buy
In order to save money for this trip, here is an example of something that I am not allowed to buy. It's very sad. This, in particular, is an amazing dress because not only is it my size, but it's a two piece- I could wear the halter with a pair of jeans if I wanted!
Photo stolen from my favorite Vintage Boutique here in Portland, Xtabay.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The home of Abraham
As a Hebrew Bible Scholar, I am of course drawn to ancient places, preferably places that are more than 2,000 years old. Thus, I became more than a little excited when I found that one can visit Harran. It is believed that Harran is where Abraham's family settled for some time (his father, Terah actually settled them there and then Abraham left to go to Canaan). See Genesis 11:31-12:4 if you care to.
Supposedly, when you visit modern day Harran, you can see the archaeological evidence of what was a major city that was first settled in the 3rd Millenium BCE. That's old. That's REALLY old. When you visit, you can see the traditional beehive style adobe houses that would've kept the locals cool in a very very hot area of the world. It's likely that Abraham's family lived in a house like these.
Here's a great site with some general information about Harran.
So here I am, getting all excited thinking, "I can go to where Abraham was!" Then I start to get suspicious...."hmmm, where exactly IS Harran?" I know it's not too far from Istanbul because it's listed as one of the "off the beaten path" places to visit.
Alas. Harran is about 25 km from Syria.
BUMMER. You see my dilemma, right? Probably NOT the best time to be considering a trip that close to a country in such distress.
It's also hard to know if I'm being overly cautious. What are your thoughts? Am I right for thinking that a trip to Harran is probably not a good idea?
But look at how cool it is!!!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Two Scenerios
Where I go and how long I visit Turkey will be dependent on:
a) $$
and
b) how much time I can take off from work (I'm definitely taking at least 7 days and I'm hoping to take 10 days off)
Here are a couple of ideas:
Shorter trip
11 Days (this includes travel, so really I'd only have 9 days):
Istanbul - 6 Days
Cappadocia - 3 Days
Iznik Nicea - 1 Day trip
Longer Trip
14 Days (really only 12)
Istanbul - 6 Days
Cappadocia - 3 Days
Ephesus - 3 Days
Should I perhaps spend less time in Istanbul in lieu of other places? I'm pretty much married to going to Istanbul and Cappadocia. But I'm feeling mixed about Iznik Nicea and Ephesus.
Thoughts?
a) $$
and
b) how much time I can take off from work (I'm definitely taking at least 7 days and I'm hoping to take 10 days off)
Here are a couple of ideas:
Shorter trip
11 Days (this includes travel, so really I'd only have 9 days):
Istanbul - 6 Days
Cappadocia - 3 Days
Iznik Nicea - 1 Day trip
Longer Trip
14 Days (really only 12)
Istanbul - 6 Days
Cappadocia - 3 Days
Ephesus - 3 Days
Should I perhaps spend less time in Istanbul in lieu of other places? I'm pretty much married to going to Istanbul and Cappadocia. But I'm feeling mixed about Iznik Nicea and Ephesus.
Thoughts?
Literature
Here are the books I'm currently reading in preparation for education and to gather ideas of where to go and what not to miss:
"Rick Steves' Istanbul" - I started with this book because I've seen some of Rick Steves' shows, and I liked that this particular book was written by two women who are from Istanbul. I am currently about 1/3 of the way through it and using it just as an introduction to the city's top historical sites to see.
"Istanbul: Memories and the City" by Orhan Pamuk - I borrowed this one from a friend. It's a portrait of Istanbul written by somebody who was born and raised there. I'm not very far into it, but thus far I'm already learning quite a bit about how the fall of the Ottoman Empire really affected the people of Istanbul. In addition, I love his descriptions of the city.
Insight Guides, "Istanbul: Step by Step" - I actually only bought this book because it has a map in it of Istanbul that I put on my bedroom wall for inspiration. I couldn't find a map without a book unfortunately. But I think it'll be fun to explore some of the walks of the city. I haven't started it yet though.
"Byzantine Istanbul: A Self-Guided Tour" by Robert van den Graven - I haven't started reading this one yet, but I think it's not going to be your typical run-of-the mill tour book. There seems to be a lot more history, which I will thoroughly enjoy.
These will probably be enough for a while, but do any of you have other suggestions? Even web-sites I should check out? (Keep in mind that I'm not only going to Istanbul...see a future post for more information on that topic).
"Rick Steves' Istanbul" - I started with this book because I've seen some of Rick Steves' shows, and I liked that this particular book was written by two women who are from Istanbul. I am currently about 1/3 of the way through it and using it just as an introduction to the city's top historical sites to see.
"Istanbul: Memories and the City" by Orhan Pamuk - I borrowed this one from a friend. It's a portrait of Istanbul written by somebody who was born and raised there. I'm not very far into it, but thus far I'm already learning quite a bit about how the fall of the Ottoman Empire really affected the people of Istanbul. In addition, I love his descriptions of the city.
Insight Guides, "Istanbul: Step by Step" - I actually only bought this book because it has a map in it of Istanbul that I put on my bedroom wall for inspiration. I couldn't find a map without a book unfortunately. But I think it'll be fun to explore some of the walks of the city. I haven't started it yet though.
"Byzantine Istanbul: A Self-Guided Tour" by Robert van den Graven - I haven't started reading this one yet, but I think it's not going to be your typical run-of-the mill tour book. There seems to be a lot more history, which I will thoroughly enjoy.
These will probably be enough for a while, but do any of you have other suggestions? Even web-sites I should check out? (Keep in mind that I'm not only going to Istanbul...see a future post for more information on that topic).
Call me the Over Planner
You are going to call me crazy. You're going to say, "what? You're planning a trip that you're not even taking for over a year?". I am aware. But, hear me out. Yes, I'm not planning to go to Turkey until May 2013 (in order to save $$ and accrue time off from work), but I'm planning this far ahead for a couple of reasons:
a) To keep my eye on the prize, to stay excited and focused for this trip which will help me to save my money for it. It's easier to save money for something when you're fully engaged in what you are saving for.
b) Because sometimes you just need a goal to keep your mind focused on. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of things I'm thinking about in the "now" moment of my life, but it's nice to have something big to look forward to.
c) To learn as much about the parts of Turkey I will visit so that I don't just go as a tourist. I go as an explorer, an academic, and a tourist.
d) To learn some basics of the language before I get there.
I'm hoping this blog will provide the following:
a) A place for me to write down ideas and keep organized with everything I'm learning about and planning before the trip comes. That way, I can look back on my notes when the trip is closer.
b) A place for my friends and people who have been to Turkey to give suggestions. I was more than shocked to learn how many people I know have been to Turkey, and I'd like to get all of your suggestions- everything from where to stay to what not to eat. For example, today at Powell's book store, I was purchasing a book on Istanbul when the clerk told me that when I go to Cappadocia, I should not stay at Gorem but instead should stay at Uchisar. Something for me to look into, anyways.
a) To keep my eye on the prize, to stay excited and focused for this trip which will help me to save my money for it. It's easier to save money for something when you're fully engaged in what you are saving for.
b) Because sometimes you just need a goal to keep your mind focused on. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of things I'm thinking about in the "now" moment of my life, but it's nice to have something big to look forward to.
c) To learn as much about the parts of Turkey I will visit so that I don't just go as a tourist. I go as an explorer, an academic, and a tourist.
d) To learn some basics of the language before I get there.
I'm hoping this blog will provide the following:
a) A place for me to write down ideas and keep organized with everything I'm learning about and planning before the trip comes. That way, I can look back on my notes when the trip is closer.
b) A place for my friends and people who have been to Turkey to give suggestions. I was more than shocked to learn how many people I know have been to Turkey, and I'd like to get all of your suggestions- everything from where to stay to what not to eat. For example, today at Powell's book store, I was purchasing a book on Istanbul when the clerk told me that when I go to Cappadocia, I should not stay at Gorem but instead should stay at Uchisar. Something for me to look into, anyways.
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