Hi Turkey!

Text: Pham Tan Duc

Photo: Hoang My, Chi Linh, Ngoc Chau

Travellive 12/2010 - Amidst active Europe sits a country that features characteristics of Asia. That’sTurkey! I cannot forget the moment when traveling in the slim boundary where my geography teacher had to a very tiny pen point to exemplify us on the map.

                      

Being a Eurasian country, Turkey has printed many footsteps of businessmen on the legendary silk path such as Emperor Alexandre, King Julius Caesar and also on the pages of Aziz Nesin.

On that fine day, Istanbul greeted us as the first Vietnamese visitors in the “Hi Turkey!” program. We all felt joyful when touching our feet to a country that has a long-standing culture and history. The old Istanbulcitadel, which used to be built on seven hills, is the largest and densest city in Turkey with a population of over twelve million people. It is located across the two continental shores.

Nonreligious Islam

                       

When talking about Turkey, it is indispensable to refer to a great person who was the founder of theRepublic of Turkey in 1923, as well as the first Turkish President – Mr Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881 – 1938). He made many modernization efforts, within them, Islamic law was clearly separated from the secular law of the nation and women’s right was raised. This makes Turkey different from other Islamic nations in the world.

Although Islam is the domain religion with 97% of population, this nation seems to separate from other Islamic communities. Turkish people still read the Koran and the church bell is rung five times a day. Meccais also their holy city. However, Turkish men are not allowed to have many wives and women are not allowed to take off their veil – this is only found in Turkey.

Throughout the country, from big cities to remote areas, you can see Islamic mosques but with different numbers of towers. Most mosques have two towers up to the sky and can be seen from far distance. Some mosques were designed with four towers becathey have higher positions and statures. This is the reason why Turkish people are always proud of their Sultanahmet mosque. It has 6 towers that are similar to the towers in Mecca.

The Sufi – a religious sect that was separated from the primitive Islam – is well-known for its mysterious dance written by priests, also known as Whirling Dervishes. In a mixture of the real, mystic light, gentle but a little bit spine-chilling music and white costumes, Dervishes lead audiences to an occult religious world.

Impressive Ephesus old citadel

                      

People sing the praise of Ephesus and the stream of people flocking to the city in the West of Turkey is proof of that. Ephesus – the old citadel built by Greek and managed by Roman people – played the second role, after the Rome citadel in the Renaissance of Roman Monarchy. In these days, Ephesus remains as collapsed bricks and ancient pillars – evidence of a resplendent history. However, Ephesus is also very impressive with three remaining relics: the library, the whorehoand the restroom. Around Ephesus is whereSaint Paul the Apostle, one of four disciples of Jesus visited in the 50s B.C and the Mother of God Mary spent her last days in a hoon the high mountain that has green olive trees on the way and the unending flows of people visiting the God’s house.

This is the first time, in the Mother of God’s house, I have ever seen olive trees and fruits. This kind of tree is planted mainly for making oil around the Mediterranean such as Spain and Italy. Few people know that olive trees originated in Turkey and this country is the fourth world leader of olive output. In addition to olive trees, Turkish people also plant many other trees such as pines, fir-trees, laurels, Rosemarie’s and lavenders. It’s wonderful to taste juicy grapes and sweet figs that are sold on the roadside or at stopping places. In addition, you can contemplate the statue of Aziz Nesin – the most favorite writer in Turkey in front of a stopping place on the national road. Our tour guide said that Turkish people admire him and sculpt his statue everywhere throughout the country.

Stone wonder – Cappadocia

                      

Time passes by but remained things are everlasting. This is definitely true with Cappadocia – an outstanding destination in the Southwest of Kayseri city. Cappadocia is an ancient territory where the Hittites – Turkish people’s ancestors – settled 4000 years ago. Cappadocia is very extraordinary with its rocky mountain’s shapes that had been created after million years of eruptive volcanoes and erosion from wind, sun, rain and snow. The God seemed to arrange rocks in multi-shapes that never rock back and forth. Valleys in rolling rocky mountains bring nice names such as Pigeon Valley, Hunting Valley or Rose Valley. In addition, many houses, hotels and restaurants are seated within rocky mountains. It is not surprising that Cappadociawas recognized as a World Nature Heritage site in 1985 by UNESCO.

I didn’t have an overjoyed feeling when seeing Cappadocia from the balloon as my friend did, but I was amazed at a morning when the sun dawned behind the faraway mountain range and when in Cappadocia’s clear sky appeared more than 50 colorful balloons. Spectacular!

                      

We also visited Kaymakli Underground city, one of the ancient underground cities. This city used to have 8 tunnels, but only 4 tunnels with the depth of 27m are opened for tourism. With a capacity of thousands of people, they have living rooms, kitchens, wineries and cattle-houses. The local guide was very surprised when knowing that in a country on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, 11 flying hours from Turkey, there are the tunnels of Cu Chi which used to be a stubborn resistance base during both wars of liberation.

                      

We boated down the Bospherous river, towards the Black Sea. On the right of the ship is territory of Asia and the other side is Europe’s. Two crossing bridges connect two continents and ferries animatedly carry passengers to cross the river. Many Turkish people travel to this side to work and back to the other side after a hard-working day. In the morning, Welcome to Asia and in the afternoon Welcome to Europe or vice versa. Amidst active Europe seats a country that features characteristics of Asia.

Further information:

+ Weather and climate:

Being called “4-season land”, Turkey features different forms of climate from temperate climate at the Black Sea which covers 80% of the output of almonds. The is a continental climate at the Centre and a temperate Mediterranean climate in the coastal areas of Turkey bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean. The best time to visit this country is from April to October yearly.

+ Currency:

Turkish Lira (TRY) [USD$1 = 1,5 TRY) is the currency of Turkey. You can change currency at legal foreign exchange offices in towns and cities. Banks also places to exchange currency but they are often crowded and offer low exchange rate. Euro and USD are the easiest to exchange, besides, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Japanese Yen can also be exchanged. ATMs are located at central areas throughout the city. Visa and MasterCard are widely used while American Express is less used.

+ Food and drink

Turkey is the homeland of kebabs. You can taste this dish around the country. Turkish people often lamb or chicken to make this food and serve it with tomato and onion. There are two types of kebab: Doner kebaband Sis kebab. In addition, Turkish people prefer using aubergines in their meals, from aubergine salad to fried aubergine and tomato sauce.

+ Some notices when visiting mosques:

When visiting Turkish mosques, you have to take off your shoes before stepping in. Some mosques give their visitors shawls and overcoats.

+ Tour information:

Tour companies offer tours to Turkey in 9 days/8 nights according to the following itineraries: Istanbul – Cappadocia – Konia – Pamukkale – Kusadasi. For further information, please contact:

 * Vietravel

  190 Pasteur, Dist. 3, HCMC

  Tel: 08. 3822 8898 - ext. 316

 * Turkish Airlines office at HCMC

  194 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Dist. 3

  Tel: 08. 3933 0330.