Day 7

Driving to Güzelyurt

It was an early morning departure from Müstafapaşa for our next destination, Güzelyurt.
I don't think I've mentioned Jimmy yet. Jimmy lives in Istanbul and traveled with us on the tour, being 'in training' as a future guide. I have no doubt that he'll be great. He was an asset to our trip, enhancing Mert's information with additional stories and facts. Rick's tours of Turkey are collaborative with a local tour company and the guides we've met are outstanding and impressively knowledgeable.

We practically tipped the bus over racing to the side for this adorable photo.

Many things are done the same way for centuries. Watching this man and his donkey transported me to another era.

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." - Dr. Seuss

In Güzelyurt, our group was fortunate to meet with the village's imam. We all sat inside the village mosque while he discussed Islam with us and politely answered our questions. If everyone had these opportunities, I think our world would be a different place.

Our visit with a local Imam

This young boy waited outside the mosque and followed our group awhile, hoping to improve his English.

After leaving Güzelyurt, it was going to be a long drive to the southern coast and our eventual destination, Antalya, but the road looked inviting.

"It's opener, out there, in the wide open air." - Dr. Seuss

The entrance gate had to be tall and wide enough to accomodate the camels, which would also have been carrying large stacks of goods.

There were stables along the walls for the animals and an open area which we discovered would have probably had a travelers' market for supplies.
These 'inns' would provide food, water, and rest for travelers and their animals. It was hard to believe that this caravansary, so well preserved, had been here since the 13th century!

Desert Caravansary

Is it an oasis?? No, it's a desert caravansary - a place for us to water our camels! In fact, we learned that the road we were taking to Antalya was the route of the Silk Road which for centuries was a trade route between Asia and Europe.

Intricate carved details above the entrance

This large hall was where everyone gathered, ate, and slept.

A precarious stairway, perhaps for someone needing to walk along the wall? Maybe a lookout?

During our stop at the caravansary, we too were able to obtain food, water, and rest. After snacks and a few extra stretches, we climbed back onto the bus for the rest of our journey to Konya.

Konya - Tomb and Museum of Mevlana Rumi

Our trip to Konya was short. Konya is a large city with over 1 million residents and our primary intention was to visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Rumi.

"Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." - Mevlana Rumi

I've long been inspired by the poetry of Mevlana Rumi and his message of tolerance which spans all cultures and religions and I looked forward to our visit to his tomb and the museum of his teachings. Rumi was a Persian poet philosopher in the 13th century. His writings have inspired for centuries.
After a tour of the site and grounds, we were able to enter the mausoleum, where his tomb lies. I witnessed much emotion as pilgrims from all over came to honor his teachings and pay homage to his life.