There is one God. Rick: Uh-huh… We’re in eastern Turkey. Those who wear scarves and those who don’t. Cappadocia is famous for its exotic-looking terrain, especially these rock formations called “fairy chimneys.”. Your pilot was sick, so I will fly you today. We’ll check in with today’s urban scene in the capital city, and finish by paying our respects to the father of modern Turkey, Atatürk. Stacks of hay — cone-shaped so the snow falls off — are reminders of the harsh bitter winters. Inside, the museum tells the story of this amazing man, whose career started as a military hero. I mean, two years of time by two person. There were Muslim communities in Greece, and Greek Orthodox communities here in Turkey. Get the most out of every day and dollar with Rick Steves Greece & Turkey guidebooks, Snapshot guides and Pocket travel guides Lale: Yes, local spices. Throughout Islam, fundamentalism is on the rise. And where there’s wool, there’s yarn. As incomes are expected to skyrocket, local men will no longer dream of going abroad for a good paycheck. We don’t have regular work hours. An easy way to have fun with locals is over a game of backgammon — a daily treat for me anywhere in Turkey. They have it for the whole day. This time we're relaxed and getting all cleaned up for a Turkish experience…in Istanbul. Lale: It’s natural honey. After a lifetime of exploring Europe - and inspiring Americans to see Europe as the springboard for world exploration - Rick Steves shares his reasons why. Formerly parched land is becoming lush. You’ll see plenty of soldiers here and throughout Turkey. If you are a Rick Steves tour alum, see if you can spot your own tour guide — and be sure to say hi to them in the comments below. Families everywhere — old people, little kids running up and down these stairs, borrowing salt from the neighbors…and people lived here till the 1950s. Ferries shuttle visitors to Akdamar Island. This is really great Rick, you have to see this. Istanbul's been a busy trading center from the start so it needed to be well-protected. Meli: Not just oiled wrestling, it’s called oiled grass wrestling, grass being reminiscent of Central Asian plains. Thanks for joining us. When the imam calls the people to pray, he’s saying “God is great. Just as Turkish wrestling came from Central Asia so did other aspects of Turkic culture. And remember, even in a fancy place like this, bargaining is expected. I have greeted friends in Istanbul who were on these tours and … After a lifetime of exploring Europe - and inspiring Americans to see Europe as the springboard for world exploration - Rick Steves shares his reasons why. May 30, 2016 - Explore Sandra Kent's board "Rick Steves" on Pinterest. Families and their animals used to roam freely but modern times threaten the nomadic ways. see our FAQ. Rick Steves' Europe How to Embrace Life and Art in Paris In this second of two episodes dedicated to Paris, travel expert Rick Steves goes beyond the typical tourist stops for a look at true Parisian joie de vivre (joy of life). Merhaba, I’m Rick Steves, back with more travels. He separated Mosque and state, emancipated women, replaced the Arabic script with Europe’s alphabet, introduced Western-style industry, and legislated equality for all citizens. Turkey Reviews. At about 17,000 feet, it’s by far the highest mountain in the region. Lale: [translates] He requests people not to say Islam equals the terrorism, because it is not. If you are a Rick Steves tour alum, see if you can spot your own tour guide — and be sure to say hi to them in the comments below. The conversation is filled with passionate opinions that inevitably center on complex Turkish politics. Thanks for joining us. You can do your laundry here without soap...or clean a little raw wool. This imposing wall helped fortify the ancient Byzantine capital. We’re heading further south away to the remote and untouristy town of Güzelyurt. But Turkey’s a vast land. The tradition of carpet weaving is integral to the local culture. Modern Turkey was born in 1923 and, according to the constitution, anyone who lives here is welcome to consider themselves politically, Turkish. Get the most out of every day and dollar with Rick Steves Greece & Turkey guidebooks, Snapshot guides and Pocket travel guides Give the freebies a try, and if you I miss Europe's big sights. This is big news for Turkey. As somehow who deeply loves Turkey and the Turkish people and who lived into Turkey for over 30 years, I have always appreciated the positive focus Rick Steves and his tours have brought to Turkey. We start in Cappadocia. And we’ve got a lot of traveling yet to do. This tiled minaret has a sister in the city of Samarkand, far to the east in Uzbekistan. Imam: [speaks Turkish] And, to actually see what Lale’s talking about, we’re descending into Kaymaklı, a completely underground city dug out of the rock. And with a Voice of America–type agenda, Turkey broadcasts cultural news to this vast region. How do you contribute to your community? The military keeps Turkey stable in a troubled region and defends the constitutionally required “separation of mosque and state.”. See more ideas about rick steves, europe travel, travel. He is Allah. As the softer rock eroded, the harder rocks were left precariously balanced atop the pinnacles that have become the icons of Cappadocia. Eastern Turkey is ideal for admiring the timeless art of living with the seasons. Families, widows, couples, and kids…traveling here, like traveling anywhere, the key ingredient of the experience is the people. Wherever you stop you’re never far from a glass of refreshing tea. According to the Bible, Abraham settled here...in Harran on his way to the promised land in Canaan — that’s Israel, about 300 miles to the south. In the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey — the size of Texas — links Europe with the Middle East and Asia. That’s not the traditional nomad life. You pay top dollar in a place like this, but there’s a good selection, you’re assured of high quality, and they make payment and shipping almost too easy. Shepherd: [Turkish]. Güle güle. Much of Kaymaklı was originally dug in Hittite times — over 1000 years before Christ. It’s busy with people enjoying petite glasses of sweet çay and the happy clatter of backgammon dice. It’s the biggest of 22 dams in the Southeast Anatolian Project. Today, most of its population is Kurdish. In fact, 4,000 years ago, Abraham and his followers walked these plains searching for a homeland. Rick: And just eat this? Today, like Turkey in general, Güzelyurt is Muslim. Places like this really know how to sell carpets. Here’s Jonah being swallowed by the whale. Turkey’s wrestling is entertainment. Just as you’ll find Polish and Norwegian Americans, you can find Armenian and Kurdish Turks. As time went on, sprawling communities, still digging caves for homes, inhabited entire valleys like Zelve. There is one God and Mohammed is his prophet.”. With the sound of a fire-breathing dragon, you skim the grass and slowly lift off. Turkic nations from the former USSR —Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Turkmenistan, and so on— stretch all the way to the Great Wall of China. It’s a cultural baklava, richly layered with history and people. [Five three.] The government pays your wage. We’ll drop in on a circumcision party, and explore troglodyte ghost towns, shop for sheep at the market, and chat with an imam. We’re heading south — toward the Syrian border. In this complicated corner of our world, Turkey’s an impressive success story. LibriVox is home to thousands of free audiobooks, including classics and out-of-print books. Traditional life survives most vividly in the small, rural towns. Terms of Service | Privacy. ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Rick: Okay. Discovered by Player FM and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Player FM, and audio is streamed directly from their servers. Meli: Yeah, wrestling is a kind of entertainment. Rest stops and rustic villages can lead to pleasant surprises you’d never find in the bigger tourist stops. This region is littered with reminders of a refined Armenian culture — now gone. All the family and friends gather as the proud boy dresses up like a sultan prince. Highly skilled in the country, they’re struggling in the city. Thanks for joining us. We’ll join a circumcision party, explore troglodyte ghost towns, shop for sheep at the market, and chat with an imam. Alright. While there’s virtually no tourism, there’s plenty of entrepreneurial activity. People do their humble chores as if stubbornly refusing to give up on their town. Pigeon droppings were collected, providing valuable fertilizer to assure a good harvest in the valley below. Carpet merchant: Whenever you want, you can stand up, you can touch them, you can walk on them, you can feel them, you can…buy them…. Meli is taking us to meet some Kurdish shepherds content to live the ways of their forefathers. Lale Surmen Aran and Tankut Aran—an Istanbul-based couple who have been married for 11 years—lead tours for Turkish and American groups to wherever they can (including Best of Turkey tours for Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door).They have a passion for unusual travel destinations, and always enjoy learning about the past, present, and future of the peoples of the world. In ancient times, Christians were persecuted and actually did go, literally, underground. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Turkey. While a fascinating parade of cultures has shaped the history of this ancient land, it’s the striking geology that first grabs your attention. Before posting, please read our Community Guidelines. Lale: [translates] The only difference is we recognize Muhammad as the last prophet. While this region’s many ethnic groups have suffered more than their share of grief, the plight of the Armenian community has left a black mark on modern Turkish history. Thanks for joining us. And today the only battles fought are between wrestlers. I plan on visiting Turkey next year and am interested in buying some a man's gold chain and possibly bracelets. You get up before sunrise and gather on a desolate field that’s become a hive of activity. Nice game. You’ll find kitchens, cramped living spaces, massive roll-away-the-stone doors, and ingenious ventilation shafts to bring fresh air to the many underground levels. Hi, I’m Rick Steves, ready to kick off a new career as a Turkish shepherd. While many of these evocative caves are abandoned, many cave settlements have grown into thriving towns, whose main industry is clearly tourism. Allow time for photo ops and bouncy rest stops. Turkey’s cultural diversity shows itself in subtle ways. And I’ll see you next time for more travel thrills. Before posting, please read our Community Guidelines, especially if you represent a business or service in the travel industry. There’s so little tourism in the area that we have the boat to ourselves. 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