Turkey

The Walleighs’ first trip to Europe since 2004 was to Turkey and Greece, the heart of the old Ottoman aka Byzantium Empire. Any invader within thousands of miles of Turkey conquered it. Turkey’s diversity is especially impressive because for the most part, all religions are still tolerated–a shining example for both Europe and the Middle East, which Turkey straddles! Greece was nice, pretty, and had good food but Turkey was EXOTIC and fascinating. Rick and Wendy were impressed by how the three major religions seemed to get along for so many centuries, except during the Crusades, and ostensibly still do today. So there are multiple web pages that reflect the artistic, cultural, and religious diversity they enjoyed in these travels. Wendy’s favorite things from this trip were in Turkey: Iznik tiles and ceramics, Istanbul’s Rustem Pasha Mosque and Kapadokya’s Fairy Chimneys.

Turkey & Greece’s Artwork: Beauty Everywhere

Turkey & Greece’s Artwork: Beauty Everywhere

One of Wendy’s favorite aspects of the trip to Turkey and Greece in October 2010 was the artwork—fine arts to folk arts to utilitarian and crafts.  There were such lovely details all the places she visited, in many different media: Iznik tiled walls or ceramics,...

Turkey’s Fairy Chimneys & Rock-Carved Churches in Kapadokya

Turkey’s Fairy Chimneys & Rock-Carved Churches in Kapadokya

However it is spelled, Kapadokya (or Capadoccia or...) in the middle of Turkey is a whimsical landscape that has shaped and been shaped by local culture and the region's various religions.  Many layers of volcanic ash have been compressed into Tufa rock then eroded to...

Turkey & Greece Travel Journal Sept. 23 to Oct. 18, 2010

TURKEY WAS ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING:  Greece was nice, pretty, and had good food.  Turkey was EXOTIC.  I was fascinated by how it seemed as though the 3 major religions were able to get along there for so long, except during the Crusades, and ostensibly still do today....

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