Friday, May 31 Konya

Friday was Cam's first official day off.  We had breakfast together and then walked over to the Mevlana Museum.  This museum is the reason Muslims and non-Muslims come to Konya.  It is the former lodge of the whirling dervishes and houses the tomb of Celaleddin Rumi, a mystic philosopher. After his death, his son organized his followers into a group called Mevlevi or whirling dervishes.

And the bathrooms should be on the list of the world's worst.  Honestly I don't know how a place with an international reputation could get away with such horrifying bathrooms.

When you enter a mosque, you must take off your shoes and ladies must cover their heads.  Here we found these fun shoe cozies.  No photos inside of course.  There were plenty of people around Rumi's tomb praying quietly. There were also beautiful examples of calligraphy in many old Quarans.

Each little room was a cell or bedroom for a dervish.  Now they hold artifacts with descriptions in Turkish and English.

This is the master instructing the pupil.  We got to see an actual dervish ceremony in Cappadocia.  I won't soon forget it.

This large mosque is beside the Mevlana.  It is under renovation and we couldn't go inside. We saw three new mosques being built as we crossed the country and lots being refurbished.  It's our understanding that the state pays to keep the mosques open and pays the Iman's salary.

The doors are so beautiful - but look at the gap!

There are beautiful tile mosaics.

After a bite of lunch and some shopping, we walked back to the hotel to get the car. Our hosts, came out to say good-bye one more time.

Thursday May 30 Konya

Thursday morning we had a lovely "Turkish with a twist" breakfast served in the HICH Hotel. This boutique hotel located in two 120+ year old buildings was a little oasis. It was cool and quiet. However, when we arrived, I had my doubts.  The hotel is located on a narrow side street and backs onto a mosque and the Mevlana Museum. After breakfast, the kids and I did a walking tour of the area; leaving the famous Mevlana until Cam could join us on Friday. Cam went to an all day meeting some distance from Konya.

Chocolate spread = happy Sam!

Eggs served piping hot.

Cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, bread and olives make up a traditional Turkish breakfast.  Also on this tray are dried fruit, nuts, olive oil, butter and honey, cherry preserve, olive oil and flaky spinach pastry. Cereal, bread, freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee and tea were also available. And you could order eggs.

Lots of traditionally dressed women in this conservative religious city.

St. Paul's Church.  The gate was closed, but there were people in the garden. So, I opened the gate.  I asked if we could look in the church and was told that there was a mass, in Portuguese being celebrated.  We could come back in 45 minutes... Instead, we went in and observed mass.  It's amazing how the Lord's Prayer in Portuguese sounds just the same in English. The mass was actually for a Portuguese speaking tour group from Portugal and London.  They brought their own priest.

+30 day. Ice cream and water on a man made rock in the park.  We got "waved" off the rock. My guidebook had warned against showing "skin" in this conservative city - but jeans? What were we thinking?

 

McDonalds is everywhere.

The Museum of  Wooden Artifacts and Stone Carving in the Ince Minare Medresesi (Seminary of the Slender Minaret)  This building was once a school and a mosque. It was built in 1264 for Seljuk vizier Sahip Ata  The minaret is short because it was hit by lightening.

Johanna is standing over the excavated water pipes which brought water to the square pool in the middle of the building.

Lots of toquoise tile in this city.

Stone carving is both beautiful and . . .

functional!

Nicole is on the other side of this display case.

The central pool.

Also wood carvings

Wooden doors

I love the little barred windows.

Sam taking a break.

Beautiful ceilings

Standing with a carving of a Seljuk angel.

Excavated water pipe

The museum entrance. 

Is she coming or what?  Waiting for mom as usual.

A store for all your tazer, handcuff and firearm needs.

I don't know how the women survive in the heat wearing layers of dark colours and head scarves.

 

Large mosque in the background. This "Kultur Park" has a large water feature with fountains and water fowl.

Haciveyiszade Mosque

Haciveyiszade Mosque

Women's entrance to the mosque.  We usually march right into mosques. This is the first one we've seen with separate entrances for men and women. I couldn't go in the men's door with Sam or take him in the women's entrance with me. The girls went up the stairs for a peek and then we moved on.

My map reader!

Men performing cleansing ritual before entering the mosque.

Another tomb - built in the 1200's.

Ford was showing off their cars in this parking lot near the park.

A small mosque.

Tile Museum

Tile Museum

The Tile Museum is housed in a former Seljuk theological school.  It was built in 1252.

What's left of the Seljuk Palace if my map is to be believed. The dome is to protect the crumbling brick from the elements.  It is also fenced on three sides, so it appears that some restoration work is planned.

Aladdin Tepesi (Tepesi means top or hill)

It is very unusual to see a man dressed in this traditional Arabic way.  I'm not sure whether he stopped so he wouldn't be in my photo or if he was puzzled by the children.

Up, up, up, to the top.

Alaaddin Mosque built about 1219.  This large mosque sits atop Alaaddin Tepesi.

In the courtyard of the Alaaddin Mosque.

Sam was done by this time. We were all too warm and too hungry.  While we were inside a tour group consisting  of Muslim women trooped through the Mosque.  While we were sitting here enjoying the shade a school group of 10 - 12 year olds went past.  A couple managed "hi" or "hello".  There were lots of giggles, but they were praised by their friends for their boldness.

More views from the inner courtyard of the mosque.

More views from the courtyard of the mosque.

These ladies are inching along a narrow ledge to get a better view from the wall of the mosque. 

On our way down the hill there was an impromptu "Shoot the Balloon" game set up.  The vendor wasn't in sight, but the gun and balloons were ready for the next player!

See the cones and caution signs keeping pedestrians out of the way of the skid-steer and men rebuilding the wall? Me neither. In Turkey, your safety is your responsibility.