Annie Thoe's Feldenkrais Blog

July 6, 2008

Hello all

I wıll wrıte wıth mıstakes sınce the keyboard here ıs so dıfferent

ı ve been here about 5 days wıth an incredible local guıde named Lutfi Atay who has a PhD ın Tourısm and knows hıs country very well.  Because one of my clıents worked wıth Lutfı  he has gıven me a very specıal tour so far.

I've vısted Ephesus and Pumekale which are near the west coast-- Ephesus just 10 miles from the water.  Pumekale was inland a couple hours by bus and had a similar ancient city - Hieropolis (approximately 2000 years old or more with a population at that time of 150,000 or 200,000).  Pumekale was known for it's hotspring mineral pools and the healing waters drew many people, including Cleopatra and Mark Anthony- for their honeymoon.  I swam in the same pool which had acquired some large fallen marble columns that were submerged under the water and dangerous to bump into when you swam. 

(these pools are too fragile for swimming, but there were adjacent pools people could soak in as well as the ancient Cleopatra pool that had been built with marble nearby)

Pergomom was also an old city on the west coast near Ismir and like Pumekale's Hieropolis, built high on a mountain.  Really stunning view.  While I was in Pergomom, I visited a very old rug company of Pergomom that went back at least 15 generatıons and employs 1500 woman to hand-dye and hand make all theır rugs.  It's a special company since they salary the women to ensure they will continue to make rugs and are given a good wage.  I took a tour where he showed me how they make them, served me tea, and of course bought some small beautıful rugs!

So much to wrıte but have to go!  The eggplant dıshes here are beyond words.

Ciao!

Comments (4) for "In Turkey"

Hey Annie, Terri told me about your accident and gave me your web address. I'm so sorry for the fall....ouch...and I'm so glad that you're doing so well considering the challenging circumstances! Your trip sounds amazing (in spite of the fall)...interesting people, places, sights, smells, foods etc. Your words speak beautifully of the culture and of your experience. I hope Turkey is as delightful as Greece was. Be well and thanks for sharing. Aileen By Aileen Gagney - 7/10/2008 5:37 AM

Hey Annie, Sorry I've had computer pains that equal your frustrations with the Turkish keyboard. Have a new computer with learning pains and email server probs. Paradise and Magalia have been surrounded with wildfires with some loss of homes in Paradise over past 4 weeks; Margie stayed with me a few days but is back home but the area still not fully safe and we've had "very uhealthy" air quality for past 10 days--stay indoors and using masks outdoors. I'm OK. Love ya, dad By Bob Thoe - 7/13/2008 6:25 AM

Annie, if you get back to Mykonos can you pop into their post office and ask postman or woman if they know of a couple named Dicky and Betg who come to the Island every september to celebrate their anniversary? I think its Sept 6 or 26. They are old friends that I lost touch with, met them in Mykonos back in mid 80's. Would like to know if I can contact them, or if they dont have an address, can I leave a message for them at post office there. Thanks By Angel - 7/13/2008 3:38 PM

Hi Annie - Glad you are healing so well. Not a nice way to vacation. Your trip sounds wonderful! If you could possibly bring back a key chain with local name on it and a post card, I would really appreciate it. From anywhere there. I will be visiting your Dad in Sept. Have a safe return. Grace By gvogel65 - 7/15/2008 8:50 AM