Pamukkale 80’s
Wow! It was worth the schlep to get to Pamukkale….definitely a highlight of our trip. I can understand why it’s a World Heritage Sight. Surprisingly,
we only heard American English spoken once-- when we met a couple at our hotel from New York—he’s an Italian citizen; she’s from Columbia, raised in a very Jewish section of NY—she used to fast on Yom Kippur—and she’s Catholic! I don’t think they get many Americans here. I’m going to become the unofficial ambassador because it’s not to be missed on any tour of Turkey.
The experience here was fascinating on three levels:
First it is another collection of ruins but with a difference: Dan and I thought we had OD’d on ruins, but we both loved these. They are spread out over a large area and were practically empty. We were the only people strolling the ancient main street. There are many sarcophagi and necropoli throughout. My favorite ruin was the bath/basilica. Originally it had been a bath; when Christianity arrived, they built a basilica over it. Dan got excited when he read there was a nymphaeumu, but it turned out to be a temple in honor of the Greek nymphs. What also made these ruins different was that the entire area is beautifully landscaped with raised flower beds of multi-colored flowers and oleander and olive trees kept immaculate by the many gardeners we saw.
Second. We got to swim in the “sacred” pools, which consist of ancient pools of fresh, circulating mineral water at body temperature that is supposed to cure “diseases of eye, derma, hearth and blood circulatory system, respiratory and urinary system weariness and post opereation diseases.” (errors are from brochure) Supposedly as Cleopatra was aging, she sent out envoys to find a cure for her wrinkles. They found the pools at Pamukkale, and voila—Cleopatra had an ancient facelift. As we were entering the pool, we suddenly realized that we were walking over the remains of ancient columns. At first I thought it was a Disneyland gimmick—someone had placed the columns and other remains on purpose for the effect—but I found out that the ruins remained where they had fallen after 2 devastating earthquakes in the earliest years of the common era.
Many of the people at the pools that day were Ukranian and/or Russian. We found out in St. Petersburg that the Russian women pose like movie stars for photographs so I followed their example. Dan took many pictures of girls in string bikinis, but when I downloaded them on my computer, I went “delete, delete.” I posed next to a 300 lb woman because she made me look skinny.
The third—and the best—is difficult to describe. In a mountainside of white travertine marble, are about 20 small to medium pools of turquoise mineral water cascading from the top to the bottom of the mountain. The deepest pools only came up to the middle of my calf, most are ankle deep. Along the pools runs a culvert of rushing water. I was like a kid—going in every pool on my way down and sitting in the culverts—the only adult to do so. I felt very smug because I wore a pair of waterproof shoes with great soles. Otherwise, the walk was hard on the feet. I found out later, that wearing shoes in the pools is forbidden, but I was lucky not to get caught by the “shoe Nazis”.
It was an amazing experience!
Pamekkale is in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. Despite the brothel decoration in our room (see previous e-mail), the hotel was charming with a stone patio with tables covered with colorful multi-colored Turkish tablecloths. We had a great homemade dinner, cooked by the owner’s auntie, served on the patio.
I think I could get a job in Turkey rewriting the tourist info in correct English. To give you one example of many, here are the first sentences just as they are written in a brochure on the area
“Hierapolis antique city is one of the most attractive centers reached today from antique ages. The city have ruins belonged to Late and Early Helenistic periods. Hierapolis toot place in UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
For those of you who knew my Aunt Pearl, she’d have a field day with this!
Comment on air travel in Turkey: Even the tiny airports we have been in are clean, modern, and very efficient. I didn’t have to take off my shoes, and they let me carry my water bottles thru security. On the 3 flights we’ve taken (each one no longer than around an hour), they served a meal. Granted it was the same for breakfast, lunch and dinner: seeded roll with mozzarella cheese and tomato and chocolate pudding.” The seats are wide and comfy with good legroom. On the flight to Keyseri, there was a tour of people all dressed very traditionally. Dan’s seat was next to one of the women. She changed with one of the men in her party. It was either something he said, his need to bathe, or a cultural concern.We are in Cappadoccia, which is unreal, but Ill save that for my next blog.
Pamukkale 80’s
Wow! It was worth the schlep to get to Pamukkale….definitely a highlight of our trip. I can understand why it’s a World Heritage Sight. Surprisingly,
we only heard American English spoken once-- when we met a couple at our hotel from New York—he’s an Italian citizen; she’s from Columbia, raised in a very Jewish section of NY—she used to fast on Yom Kippur—and she’s Catholic! I don’t think they get many Americans here. I’m going to become the unofficial ambassador because it’s not to be missed on any tour of Turkey.
The experience here was fascinating on three levels:
First it is another collection of ruins but with a difference: Dan and I thought we had OD’d on ruins, but we both loved these. They are spread out over a large area and were practically empty. We were the only people strolling the ancient main street. There are many sarcophagi and necropoli throughout. My favorite ruin was the bath/basilica. Originally it had been a bath; when Christianity arrived, they built a basilica over it. Dan got excited when he read there was a nymphaeumu, but it turned out to be a temple in honor of the Greek nymphs. What also made these ruins different was that the entire area is beautifully landscaped with raised flower beds of multi-colored flowers and oleander and olive trees kept immaculate by the many gardeners we saw.
Second. We got to swim in the “sacred” pools, which consist of ancient pools of fresh, circulating mineral water at body temperature that is supposed to cure “diseases of eye, derma, hearth and blood circulatory system, respiratory and urinary system weariness and post opereation diseases.” (errors are from brochure) Supposedly as Cleopatra was aging, she sent out envoys to find a cure for her wrinkles. They found the pools at Pamukkale, and voila—Cleopatra had an ancient facelift. As we were entering the pool, we suddenly realized that we were walking over the remains of ancient columns. At first I thought it was a Disneyland gimmick—someone had placed the columns and other remains on purpose for the effect—but I found out that the ruins remained where they had fallen after 2 devastating earthquakes in the earliest years of the common era.
Many of the people at the pools that day were Ukranian and/or Russian. We found out in St. Petersburg that the Russian women pose like movie stars for photographs so I followed their example. Dan took many pictures of girls in string bikinis, but when I downloaded them on my computer, I went “delete, delete.” I posed next to a 300 lb woman because she made me look skinny.
The third—and the best—is difficult to describe. In a mountainside of white travertine marble, are about 20 small to medium pools of turquoise mineral water cascading from the top to the bottom of the mountain. The deepest pools only came up to the middle of my calf, most are ankle deep. Along the pools runs a culvert of rushing water. I was like a kid—going in every pool on my way down and sitting in the culverts—the only adult to do so. I felt very smug because I wore a pair of waterproof shoes with great soles. Otherwise, the walk was hard on the feet. I found out later, that wearing shoes in the pools is forbidden, but I was lucky not to get caught by the “shoe Nazis”.
It was an amazing experience!
Pamekkale is in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. Despite the brothel decoration in our room (see previous e-mail), the hotel was charming with a stone patio with tables covered with colorful multi-colored Turkish tablecloths. We had a great homemade dinner, cooked by the owner’s auntie, served on the patio.
I think I could get a job in Turkey rewriting the tourist info in correct English. To give you one example of many, here are the first sentences just as they are written in a brochure on the area
“Hierapolis antique city is one of the most attractive centers reached today from antique ages. The city have ruins belonged to Late and Early Helenistic periods. Hierapolis toot place in UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
For those of you who knew my Aunt Pearl, she’d have a field day with this!
Comment on air travel in Turkey: Even the tiny airports we have been in are clean, modern, and very efficient. I didn’t have to take off my shoes, and they let me carry my water bottles thru security. On the 3 flights we’ve taken (each one no longer than around an hour), they served a meal. Granted it was the same for breakfast, lunch and dinner: seeded roll with mozzarella cheese and tomato and chocolate pudding.” The seats are wide and comfy with good legroom. On the flight to Keyseri, there was a tour of people all dressed very traditionally. Dan’s seat was next to one of the women. She changed with one of the men in her party. It was either something he said, his need to bathe, or a cultural concern.We are in Cappadoccia, which is unreal, but Ill save that for my next blog.
Pamukkale 80’s
Wow! It was worth the schlep to get to Pamukkale….definitely a highlight of our trip. I can understand why it’s a World Heritage Sight. Surprisingly,
we only heard American English spoken once-- when we met a couple at our hotel from New York—he’s an Italian citizen; she’s from Columbia, raised in a very Jewish section of NY—she used to fast on Yom Kippur—and she’s Catholic! I don’t think they get many Americans here. I’m going to become the unofficial ambassador because it’s not to be missed on any tour of Turkey.
The experience here was fascinating on three levels:
First it is another collection of ruins but with a difference: Dan and I thought we had OD’d on ruins, but we both loved these. They are spread out over a large area and were practically empty. We were the only people strolling the ancient main street. There are many sarcophagi and necropoli throughout. My favorite ruin was the bath/basilica. Originally it had been a bath; when Christianity arrived, they built a basilica over it. Dan got excited when he read there was a nymphaeumu, but it turned out to be a temple in honor of the Greek nymphs. What also made these ruins different was that the entire area is beautifully landscaped with raised flower beds of multi-colored flowers and oleander and olive trees kept immaculate by the many gardeners we saw.
Second. We got to swim in the “sacred” pools, which consist of ancient pools of fresh, circulating mineral water at body temperature that is supposed to cure “diseases of eye, derma, hearth and blood circulatory system, respiratory and urinary system weariness and post opereation diseases.” (errors are from brochure) Supposedly as Cleopatra was aging, she sent out envoys to find a cure for her wrinkles. They found the pools at Pamukkale, and voila—Cleopatra had an ancient facelift. As we were entering the pool, we suddenly realized that we were walking over the remains of ancient columns. At first I thought it was a Disneyland gimmick—someone had placed the columns and other remains on purpose for the effect—but I found out that the ruins remained where they had fallen after 2 devastating earthquakes in the earliest years of the common era.
Many of the people at the pools that day were Ukranian and/or Russian. We found out in St. Petersburg that the Russian women pose like movie stars for photographs so I followed their example. Dan took many pictures of girls in string bikinis, but when I downloaded them on my computer, I went “delete, delete.” I posed next to a 300 lb woman because she made me look skinny.
The third—and the best—is difficult to describe. In a mountainside of white travertine marble, are about 20 small to medium pools of turquoise mineral water cascading from the top to the bottom of the mountain. The deepest pools only came up to the middle of my calf, most are ankle deep. Along the pools runs a culvert of rushing water. I was like a kid—going in every pool on my way down and sitting in the culverts—the only adult to do so. I felt very smug because I wore a pair of waterproof shoes with great soles. Otherwise, the walk was hard on the feet. I found out later, that wearing shoes in the pools is forbidden, but I was lucky not to get caught by the “shoe Nazis”.
It was an amazing experience!
Pamekkale is in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. Despite the brothel decoration in our room (see previous e-mail), the hotel was charming with a stone patio with tables covered with colorful multi-colored Turkish tablecloths. We had a great homemade dinner, cooked by the owner’s auntie, served on the patio.
I think I could get a job in Turkey rewriting the tourist info in correct English. To give you one example of many, here are the first sentences just as they are written in a brochure on the area
“Hierapolis antique city is one of the most attractive centers reached today from antique ages. The city have ruins belonged to Late and Early Helenistic periods. Hierapolis toot place in UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
For those of you who knew my Aunt Pearl, she’d have a field day with this!
Comment on air travel in Turkey: Even the tiny airports we have been in are clean, modern, and very efficient. I didn’t have to take off my shoes, and they let me carry my water bottles thru security. On the 3 flights we’ve taken (each one no longer than around an hour), they served a meal. Granted it was the same for breakfast, lunch and dinner: seeded roll with mozzarella cheese and tomato and chocolate pudding.” The seats are wide and comfy with good legroom. On the flight to Keyseri, there was a tour of people all dressed very traditionally. Dan’s seat was next to one of the women. She changed with one of the men in her party. It was either something he said, his need to bathe, or a cultural concern.We are in Cappadoccia, which is unreal, but Ill save that for my next blog.
