12 things that became obsolete this decade.

Oh how things have changed.
Look to see all the things that we don't need anymore.

Calling
Landlines
Wires
Classified adds
Dial up internet
Encylopedias
CD music
Film
Film camers
Hand written letters
Catalogs
Fax

NYT: Decade End Chart

Not sure if I understand what all of these are about but interesting. It also shows how behind the times I am on some things.

Off with the pants!

For those following on FB  I mentioned that flying the day after the attempted attack I did get frisked at the airport, and camera crews were there filming it.  The funny thing was that I don't think the people that were doing the security checks actually knew what they were doing.  Since I have been back it is all over the news about new measures on flights, but it all seems to be rather reactionary.  No getting up during the last hour on flights coming into the states and no blankets, pillows or coats on you laps at that time.  The reason for this is that was the time frame that this guy used, and the explosives were sewn into his underwear.

Here is what Obama has to say on the subject.

Now since the last foiled attempt with the shoes, taking shoes off at the check points has been standard procedure. Now with the underwear mishap, are we going to have to take off our pants.

Susan

Eunice, Judith and Britta, all encouraged me to make the trip to see Susan and I am so glad that did.  She is in a lot of pain, and is dizzy and nauseous.  This has been a long hard journey for her and she is ready to be done with it.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Merry Christmas

I think Linus says it best.



Merry Christmas!

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

We sang this hymn tonight in our candle service and it is one that I really like. Not heard it so much here in Japan but the Japanese is very nice also.

Appreciated for what?

I have no idea why there was no attempt to translate the rest of the sign.

White Christmas

Is it really Christmas if you don't see "Holiday Inn" and hear Bing sing this wonderful song.

Or maybe you are more familiar with this version of the song from the movie of the same title and with Romary Clooney when she was hot and before all the toilet paper comercials.

Starbucks Christmas

Had some extra time this morning so I stopped by Starbucks in hopes of getting a Gingerbread Latte. Sad to say it was sold out, seems they have run out of the syrup, I told the guy there I thought they needed to make a special order. I mean we still have 4 more days till Christmas.

A Classic Made New

I've always enjoyed this duet, especially having it done as a duet with Steven Curtis Chapman. His harmonization rocks.

Welcome to Our World

Another great song from Michael W Smith. Full of meaning and truth. Great imagery also. Please enjoy.

Christmas Everyday

Another interesting Christmas album that I actually picked up in Taiwan, was by Kenny Rogers. Actually it is really nice there are a couple of very interesting songs.  This one, I think, is appropriate for the times with the "Happy Holidays", "Merry Christmas" debate.  Actually it takes it one further by saying we need to remember Christ and Christmas everyday. 

Please Refrain from Drunken Behavior.

No Eye Had Seen

One of my favorite Christmas albums has been Michael W. Smith's "Christmas". He first Christmas album and a great one at that. Seems like I can never get tired of the music, and it was on this album that we first heard Agnus Dei which has become a poplular praise song recently. Today's song from that album is "No Eye Had Seen", I just listened to it and it brought a tear to my eye. Michael and Amy Grant did a great colaboration on this song.

No eye had seen
No ear had heard
'Til hosts on high
Proclaimed the
birth
And heav'n brough down
(Quietly with no one watching)
Its only
child
(From the womb of perfect peace)
The son of man
(Wellspring of
our joy delivered)
The world reconciled
(Into earthly destiny)
And
song broke forth
Angelic strain
And none could help
But sing the
name
Emmanuel
(Kyrie eleison we sing)
Emmanuel
(Glory to the
newborn King)
Emmanuel
(Mortal and immortal voices)
Emmanuel
(Endless praises echoing)

Unusual Christmas Music

Something that I have found interesting over the years is how many different people put out Christmas albums. Seems like everyone is willing to jump onto the Christmas band wagon so to say. A couple I have never really understood are Barbra Steisand, and the Mormon Tabrenacle Choir. We all know that Barbra is Jewish, so why has she released 2 Christmas albums.

The one that I have, "A Christmas Album" includes the following songs:

"Jingle Bells"
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"The Christmas
Song"
"White Christmas"
"My Favorite Things"
"The Best Gift"
"Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Silent Night)"
"Gounod's Ave Maria"
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
"I Wonder as I Wander"
"The Lord's Prayer"

I do love her rendition of Jingle bells.

She starts out with the classic non-religous songs, but ends strong with the Christian classics. Why would she want to sing aobut the birth of Jesus, or praise Mary with Ave Maria, and The Lord's Prayer? What was she thinking. I mean I do thik it is cool that she would do it and I hope the songs made her think but still how can she sing the songs with any kind of meaning?

And speaking of singing without feeling or meaning, how about the Mormon Tabrancle's version of The Messiah? It's actually a good redition but how much life it would have if the people singing it really believed what they were singing.

Reflections on Christmas' Past

During college my Christmas music of choice was "The Messiah". It most have been my room mate Brian that got me started listening to it, but it seems like that as Christmas rolled around that was the only music playing in our dorm room. After graduating from college I was really happy to sing in Shelby's community chorus it one of their preformances of this great work. I think the director (our high school choir director) was surprised at how well I could sing given that I never sang in High School. I remember him saying how happy that I had joined the preformance.
I have also liked some of the modern re-arrangements of some of the pieces like, "The New Young Messiah". At Tamasei the tradition continues, at the PTA Christmas the Halleluja chorus is sang and for the high school Christmas worship 3 songs from the Messiah are sung.

One of my favorite songs from "The New Young Messiah" is "Surely He has born our Grief" sung by Michael English, Steve Green, and Larnelle Harris. Really it is from the Easter section, but Chirstmas is all about the coming of Christ and he came to do just that bear our grieves.



And of course we have the soulful version of the Messiah.
This one done by the Broklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Johnny Mathis

As mentioned in my previous post I believe this is that album that I picked up in the drug store and here is Johhny singing, "It's the Most Wonderful time of the Year"
And how true that is.

The Christmas Song

Facebook has been one of the reasons I haven't been posting much of late.  So I thought I'd change that and I thought I would bring you some of my favorite Christmas music.  I actually was thinking of starting this series off with one of my favorites Johnny Mathis, but this Nat King Cole version of "The Christmas Song" beat him out.  I remember buying an LP of Johnny's Christmas album in of all places a drug store that I really loved.  I'll try to find one of his songs for tomorrow.  

Expensive Apples

Just saw this on the news, a box of apples from Iwate Japan can be yours for only ¥800,000.  Roughly around $8,900!  It is a 10 kilo box of apples with 28 apples inside.  Making the cost of one ¥28,500, or $317.  

What is wrong with Japan?  Who would pay that for one let alone buy a whole box.  And what about the guy grew these, I'm sure there is some elaborate story about how he went to great lengths to grow the perfect apple.  Why not just grow a bunch of real good apples and share them with those in the world can't afford to buy a regular apple.  There is something twisted in this.  I have no idea what the Japanese obsession with expensive food is all about.

Check out the full story in Japanese at Asahi Shinbun.

Delay

My flight out of Naha is delayed by only 5 minutes and the gate staff made an announcement and then they all bowed in unison. This is service, how nice it would be if American air carries could learn to be as much service oriented.

funny Japanese

Control is more important than speed.

This was a sign in the bathroom of the reastaurant that I ate at today. I guess they have too many men splashing all over the place. The funniest thing about it is that I think it was hand written. Did the owner think this up or what?

Kagetsu

Famous Japanese restaurant bosting a 360 year history. Originally a brothel, and still near the entertainment district.

Huis Ten Bosch

This morning is Huis Ten Bosch, alot of money has gone into this place but it is one of lease intererting places I have ever been. The only thing you can really do is shop and eat, why we bring the girlrs here I will never know.

Toilet English

Kyushu School Trip

Today is the first day of our school trip to Kyushu. We flew into Fukuoka and then went to Yoshinogari, an old settelment, there is really not alot to do there just see the replicated buildings of that area. From there we headed to Okachiyama, a very small pottery village near Imari. I guess this is one of the birth places of pottery in Japan and it was a very nice visit, I would have loved to spent a lot more time there but we only had just a little over an hour. The only good thing about it was that it limited my spending.

Fall

After an all night drive we are almost to Morioka, and we get a glimpse of the beautiful fall colors at a rest area.

Pretty(scary) in Pink

While I was waiting at the station I saw this man, now the picture isn't that great but if you embiggen you can see the pink and white design in the jacket, and he had a pink shirt on and was talking on a vivid pink cell phone. Gotta say he must be pretty self confident.

Narita

Long Weekend

It really is amazing what a typhoon & a 3 day weekend will do for the skies of Tokyo. Too bad I have to be home this afternoon to wait for NTT to come and hook tp my new phone line. The benefit is that I will have a faster interdmdt connection, and best of all I'll get some better TV, looking forward to Fox and CNN.

Tourists

Today I saw one of the most interesting t-shirts. There was a group of Australian HS students and the back of their t-shirts read,"私たちはオーストラリアから来ました。どうぞよろしく。"We're from Australia, thanks for being kind to us. I think only in Japan would this be an effective cultural ice breaker. Can you imagine what would happen if it were the other way around?

It's here!

The new TV arrived today, I think I am going to be very happy with it!

New TV

I have been with out a working TV for about 3 months now, so after contemplating the options I narrowed down what I wanted and decided on the Regza Z8000 the 37 inch model.  And today was the day to go out and buy.  Surprisingly enough I didn't have to room all over Tokyo looking for a good deal I hit the jackpot at Kojima in Hiyoshi.  I thought that I might have to pay as much as ¥188,000.  I certainly didn't want to but that was the last quoted price that I had seen.  Well they had it for ¥138,000 and the best part was that they said that I could get a ¥30,000 discount if I signed up for Hikari fiber.  Now I had already signed up, but they said they would cancel that for me and sign me up with a new plan, so I agreed.  Now I had already made arrangements for NTT to come to my house on the 26th to install the cable.  So I told the staff I want you to see if I can't keep that date.  They called and said they couldn't.  But Mike was very persistent, and didn't want to take no for an answer.  After a long back and forth wit the clerk, I asked him to call NTT again, and tell them he had an unhappy customer on their hands and wanted to have the installation on the day that I desired.  They still wouldn't budge for him, so instead of setting a date for installation with him I said I would rather talk to NTT personally and see what I can do.  Actually it was quite stressful and I figured that since it seems like NTT is putting such a big rush on getting everyone to sign up with them, I would try and get my way.  I tried to tell the guy that the workers are to come anyway on that day if I cancel then they have an opening and why can't they just come then.  I makes sense to me, and the argument isn't over,  I figure they just may get tired of dealing with the noisy foreigner that they may give in,  we'll see. 

Even in the day time!!

Casey this is for you, walked right past this guy 2 o'clock Sunday, wondered why he was standing so close to the tree, sure enough he was marking his territory. And public restroom no more than 100 feet away.

Turkey Last Day

Our stuff is all ready to go we had breadfast and a last mad dash for souveigners. Shin wanted a shirt, we ended up walking all the way to the Spice Bazaar but didn't find anything. Took the tram back up to the Bazaar district and found a small store near the hamam where we picked up a shirt for himself and his dad. Back to hotel, thought I wouldn't make it because something is giving me Montezuma's revenge, hope I can hold it off, got a long day ahead. Took a taxi to the airport only 30TL. Had lunch in food court after checking in.

Wandered around the airport then went to Gloria Jeans for coffee. While we were sitting there we saw probably thie funniest thing I've seen in an airport. Suddenly from out of no where a little motorized mini bicycle with training wheels came zipping by. And I mean zipping it went by so fast we almost missed it, and it was making the funiest sound with the trainging clicking onf the tiled floor. Nest to the gate we got here so early but I'd rather be early than late. While sitting at the gate we saw another strange thing there was a group of men dressed in what looked like 2 bath towels one on top and one on the bottom. figured they must be on a pilgrimage because there flight was going to Mecca/Jeddah.

All in all this was a very good trip. Could have shaved off a day or two. If I were to do it agbain I would leave out Konya, and maybe one less night in Istanbul. The other change then would be to fly from Izmir to Cappadocia. I don't have much reflection but I really enjoyed the trip and would love to go again.

Turkey Day 16

We decided we should go see what was written up as one of the most important mosques in Istanbul, Suleymaniye Mosque. After making a few wrong turns we came on an entrance but it didn't seem like many people were here. We entered into a small transcept and we asked the guy how we could get to the main hall and he proceeded to tell us that it was closed for a year for renovations. We weren't really sure that could be true so we walked around looking for the main entrance. We thought we had come in the back. We ended up coming to a place that we thought was the main entrance, we walked in and realized when the same guy came out and asked us to donate money again that we had just walked completly around and had come to the same place.

From there we walked to the Spice Market.

I really think this is a much better place for shoppingthan the Grand Bazaar. More compact, not as crowded and better prices. We even found a few stores that had posted prices, 2 of these had people that had lived in Japan and the owner of one was married to a Japanese lady. I was surprised at how much Shin bought, I'm sure part of which was the fact that he could speak Japanese, and he even paid at the 2 stores in yen.

Back to the store aching from walking, rested a little then off to the little restaurant that served Ayvalik tost. Basically it has meat, cheese, french fries, and a kind of potato sald, tomato, on a hot pressed grilled sandwich. Very good.

Took the tram and headed to Taksim next. Today as we walked down the street we got to go into 2 of the large old churches that remain in this area. The first one that you can see from the square was I believe a Greek Orthodox church. Didn't think we were going to be able to get in, but 3 other tourists also happened along and the gatekeeper came and eventually let us in. It was really beautiful. The next one was St. Marys Church. It was wide openwith signs that said this is a place of prayer. It was good that we came back, on Sunday the doors were closed and we were told we could not go in. The main street through this are was much busier than it had been on Sunday which I thought was a little unusual. Caught the second cable car thing down the hill, walked across the bridge and then back to the hotel on our way back we stopped into a Turkish Delights shop that had been around since 1777. I bought another box of goodies. Back to the hotel and rested till about 7 and then out for dinner. Shin seemed to be tired of the food he said he wanted to eat Curry Rice and I said I don't think that is going to happen. Then he said pasta sounds good, so off we went in search of pasta. So we found 2 places with pasta and one with fish, so we opted for the one with both pasta and fish. They asked us if we wanted to go on the roof terrace, which we did, but which was maybe a mistake. Tll the prices were about 10TL more than the smaae menu they had shown us downstairs. The one good point was that the view of the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofia was spectacular, and the night that I had been looking for of Aya Sofia. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but I borrowed Shin's and got one good shot.

Bought some tea on the way back and picked up one of the candle lamps. This is our last night. It has been a good trip.

Turkey Day 15

Headed to Eminonu to take a Bosphorus cruise. We almost got a private tour but we ran into the girls we had met in Cappadocia, they said they were taking the public cruise so I told Shin even though that one was longer let's just do it.

We we relaxed looking at the beautiful buildings. At Yenikoy there were a row of beautiful old wooden houses many with restaurants, very beautiful. Arrived around 12:00 at the last stop before the Black Sea. Grabbeda mackrel sandwich which was much more delicious than the one in Istanbul. Hiked up an old castle with great views of the Black Sea. Hiked bacfk down got something to drink and waited to board the boat back which leaves at 3.

Got good seats on the right side of the upper deck sowe were able to get good pictures with unubstructed views right from our seats.

After getting back we visited the New Mosque and then the Spice Bazaar. I think the Spice Bazaar may be the better shopping place. Need to go again and pick up some more stuff. By the time we got back to the hotel it was after 6, Long but relaxing day.

Wanted to go to the sandwich place we had eaten at the other day but they had closed for the evening. I guess it is just a lunch time thing.

Bought a small watercolor painting on the way back to the hotel, I have had my eye on it for a few days. I think this will probably be my last purchase for me. Shin bought 2 candle holder lamps, 25TL each. I think thses light that we have seen all over the city are beautiful, but at the same time their beauty may be in the sheer number of them, so I'm wondering if just having one is really worth it.

Turkey Day 14

Day 14 took us to Topkapi Palace.  Got there early which was great because by the time we were finished the lines were incredible.

It was very interesting, we did pay the extra to go into the Harem or Private Quarters, which was worth it because it again kept the numbers down and also it was very nicely maintained. The kitchens were closed so we didn't get to see the porcelain collection. There is a very impressive jewel collection. One was the 86 carat spoonmakers diamond. It is said to have been found in a rubbish heap and bought from a scrap merchant for 3 spoons.

Back to Sultanahmet for a cheap lunch, we found a place that had toasted sandwiches, then back to the hotel for a quick rest. Around 3 we headed out to the Grand Bazaar which is very interesting but at the same time for shopping I wasn't that impressed. Lots of the same stuff. And I couldn't find the t-shirt that I was looking for.


We ended up buying t-shirts along the tram line at a place that was selling things with prices marked. All very good deals, just not too sure about the quality. Went back to the shops along side the Blue Mosque, Shin bought some bracelets and I looked at some pillows that I thought I might go back and purchase, but definitely not at 40TL each.

Around 6 we headed out to Cemberlitas Bath. This one dates back to 1584. After paying for the traditional experience, 55Tl, we went to the 2nd floor where we were shown to a room to change or should a say strip down and through a towel around us. Once wrapped you head back downstairs through the lobby so you better have your wrap secure. They gave us bath mitts and a bar of soap to give to the attendant to use. You lay on the marble slab and wait your turn as they wash people all around you. Got a good scrub and thorough washing. I have to admit the technique at the hotel in Cappadocia was better, but this was a very cool experience. The building was very nice and it felt more just like a working bath, maybe except for all the foreign guests. Totally relaxed and ready for bed, on the way out I bought one of the bath wraps just for the memory, don't think it will be to handy at the baths in Japan.

Turkey Day 13

Awake at 6 to breakfast at 7:15.  Ate leisurely and since it was a little overcast we went to the roof for breakfast.  Took some time to write and just enjoy the view.

Left hotel a little after 9 headed to Church in Taksim. Taksim and the road that leads there was all the rage in its hey day.  This was the place to be seen when the Orient Express was at its peak.  Beautiful old buildings line the street with passages that branch off into the neighborhood.  We were headed to Istanbul Union Church, located in the old chapel of the Dutch Embassy.  It was a nice service a contemporary blend.  They didn't have a piano of organ but had keyboard, flute, trumpet and guitar.On the way there we passed 2 other old Churches.  One a beautiful Catholic church that looked like it was Franciscan, and another off a side street that was now a restaurant.

Church was at 11, and our directions were a little off but we found it anyway.  The pastor, who was originally from South Africa, spoke from Jeremiah.  Where both Israel and Judah are called on for turning away from God.  Israel is unrepentant, but Judah is, although not whole heartedly.   Israel ends up being praised.  Basically he said that God calls us to obey him, and to love him but if we don't do it completely, with all our heart, we are no better than the people of Judah.  We might go through the paces week by week, but if what we do doesn't change our heart, what good is it.

We walked back up the street to get lunch at a place that we had seen that had sandwiches.  the neat thing was that it was inside one of the old buildings and in the 2nd floor seating area you could clearly see the old architecture, it was beautiful.  then we went to look for the Avrupa Passage on of the most beautifully preserved and architecturally interesting passages, or so says LP. Being sunday there seemed to be few people out and about in this area.  From there we walked to Galata Tower, went to the top and enjoyed wonderful views of the city.
Then we set off to find Saints Peter & Paul Church, but ended up finding the Jewish Synagogue instead. this area of the city seems to be very trendy, maybe artsy and popular with young musicians. On the way to the tower we bought fresh squeezed pomegranate juice, it was very good but there was a lot of pulp and seeds, that you had to spit out as you drank it.

Eventually found the church that we were looking for but it was closed.  Walked down the hill and  back across the Galata Bridge.  Lots of people were out fishing.  When we got across the bridge the people were swarming around the boats selling the fish sandwiches, and in the underground tunnel to cross the street it was wall to wall people.  Walked all the way back to the hotel and ended up taking a long nap.

Around 6 went out in search of dinner.  Ended up eating at Pasha a small restaurant near Shultanahmet tram station.  We decided on this place because they served the pot stew dish that we missed out on in Cappadocia.

Crashed back at the hotel very tired but ended up watching a little bit of 24.

Turkey Day 12

Arrived in Istanbul around 7:10 at Haydarpasa Station, a beautiful old train station on the Asian side of the city.  We exited this building and immediately to the left was the ferry to the european side of the city.

It is a very beautiful ride to the other side of the city.

This is a view of Suleymaniye Mosque what is supposed to be the most important mosque in the city.

We got off at Eminonu at the end of Galata Bridge.   We decided to walk along the tram way to Sultanahmet and back to the hotel, probably about 30 minutes walk.  We left our bags at the hotel, we had a message that Eunice had tried to call us so we got ahold of her and decided on our mtg. place.  We ended up arriving almost exactly at 10 where we thought we were supposed to be but no Eunice.  Bought a phone card and then tried to call, took about 4 attempts before I had to ask how to dial the number.  She wanted us to be at the metro station, but we had gone to the train station, because that was the only one that was on our map.  She figured out what had happened and headed to the train station and we finally met and headed to Starbucks and talked for about an hour.

We ended up walking back past the train station then to the ferry dock and caught a ferry to Kadikoy, and from there we got another ferry that stopped at Haydarapasa, then back to Eminou.  We were back in Eminonu just in time for lunch so we stopped and had one of the famous fish sandwiches.

We walked back to the hotel with a brief stop at Sirkeci station to ask about the Dervish show there.  the man at the information booth said that it was that night and not Sunday and that it was 35 TL, or at a Hamam for 40TL, and since we had already seen it and weren't sure if we would be able to take pictures we passed.

We ended up crashing at the hotel and slept for a little over an hour.  shin turned on the TV and Desperate Housewives was on in English.  After I pulled myself away from the TV we headed out for dinner, and we ended up stopping at a small restaurant along the street up to the Blue Mosque.  Had a variety of mezes and mixed grill it was way more than we really needed to eat but it was really good and came to 60 TL not a bad price.  We ended up0 just heading back to the hotel and I was asleep by 9, I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Turkey Day 11

Didn't sleep well and up early, the only plus to that is I was able to to see the hot air balloons again, they are a beautiful sight as the sun comes up though it was hard to get any good pictures because you had to look into the sun rise to see them.
Had breakfast and got ready to leave, I talked to the hotel staff and they told us to just wait out by our rooms and someone would be by to pick us up.  I asked if they could come by 9:40, we had a 10:00 bus to catch and that would give us plenty of time.  Well by 9:50 no one had showed up so I ran down to the other part of the hotel and the staff was outside, and when they saw me they were like, "No one has come?".  They scrambled around and about 9:55 someone came to get us.  Well it didn't make that much difference because we got there and they said that the bus would be about 20 minutes late.  After it arrived we were told this was not our bus to Ankara but a shuttle bus to Nevisher.  We arrived in Nevisher and had to wait again the bus was not there yet.  When it finally arrived we got our stuff on and the bus left the station headed up the road and turned around heading us in the right direction but stopped when it got in front of the bus station again where we waited for another 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes we left again only to drive just a little ways and stop again.  We were assuming that we would be in Ankara by 2, but it was well after 3 when we finally did arrive.

When we got there we hopped on the metro to Maltepe station and from there walked about 10 minutes to the train station.  We got our train tickets, put our stuff in a locker, which was an ordeal in itself, and caught a taxi to the Museum.

The Museum was very interesting, but I'm not to into museums, I'm sure if we would have had a guide it would have been more interesting.  There were a lot of beautiful displays and the interesting thing most of it you could touch if you wanted to.  I thought I should have stood on the pedestal next to this statue and put my arm around this statue, but I thought maybe better not.
From the museum we walked to the Citadel of the city, the oldest part of the city.  It was still walled and the shops and house looked like they had been there forever.  This is not the best shot but maybe  you can get some idea of the feel of the area.

The narrow main street was lined with shops, some touristy some just everyday shops.  We headed down the hill and the area was again lined with quaint shops, it looked very touristy but at the same time some of the stores were like hardware stores, fabric stores, spice stores, and bulk wool stores, very interesting.  We searched for a restaurant, and ended up going into a place that the entranced was almost blocked by the staff sitting outside,  we went in and upstairs, it was a very nice restaurant, but we were the only customers.

Walked to the train station where we sat and waited for our 10:30 pm sleeper train to Istanbul.

Turkey Day 10

After breakfast we walked to the Goreme Open Air Museum just a little over a kilometer from the heart of the city. Goreme is a quaint village with lots of interesting little shops and restaurants, more about those later.  We walked for a good 2 hours through this old cave city that has many churches with some of the most well preserved Christian Frescoes in Turkey.  There were too many people so at times it was difficult to get into some of the rooms.  The best church was The Dark Church.  It was an extra 8 TL to get in but it was well worth it.  The most well preserved frescoes were here, and the extra charge kept the number of people down, so we were able to take our time. 

After we finished we headed back into town, Shin said he wanted a hamburger so we stopped in a little cafe just across from the bus station that had a sign outside saying they had a hamburger and FF lunch set.  Not sure exactly what kind of meat it was but I don't think it was beef, but it was doable.  Went back to the hotel rested and got a few pictures uploaded, but when I tried to do more I kept getting cut off in the middle, you could only log on the computer for 25 minutes at a time.  

Back into town for some shopping and supper.  There  is a store that is in the oldest Building in Goreme, it is one of the Caravanseri, or stations on the silk road, but you really cant see the building for all the carpets.

A guy who said we could call him Serge, and his helper, who he called Road Runner, followed us around.  Road Runner's job was to pull the carpets off the the piles for us to see, and then to put them back when we were done.  He was too funny, his boss would tell jokes about him and he seemed to understand the English but couldn't speak.  I think I would call him "macho shy", he would get embarrassed cover his mouth and laugh.  He seemed very interesting and very happy.

By the time we were ready to head out they brought out some food and insisted we eat something.  It was the kind of Turkish pizza we had eaten the night before but so much better. This store was nice and there were a couple of things that caught my interest but they were all old and I wasn't convinced yet that was what I wanted to buy.

Our next stop was the Sultan Carpet Shop, which is run by the same family that owns our hotel, they had a lot of really nice things, old and new, but even the old things were really nice.  I found 2 of the big seating cushions that I really liked, mostly because they were soft and not really scratchy.  Told them I would think about it and come back after dinner.

We ate at A'laturk.  Shin said he wanted fish, so we chose this place.  It was fancy and  probably over priced, we had soup a chef salad and sea bream.  Bill came to 78TL, way too much.

Anyway I decided I would buy one of the cushions, I ended up paying 120 euros, probably too much, but hey I may never get back here so why not.  Back to the hotel where I tried to upload more pics with no luck.

Here are 2 of the interesting restaurant names we ran across.

Turkey Day 9

Breakfast buffet at hotel, it is down a flight of stairs across the street and up another makeshift staircase past a mosque to get there, luckily it was worth it. Then we were picked up at the same place at 9:30 to go on the Southern Cappadocia tour.

We drove about an hour away to Ihlara and from there westarted our 7km hike along the valley floor stopping occasionally to see a cave church.

It took us about 2 hours to do the hike and we arrived at Belisirma and had lunch. They had the unprepared food on dishes covered with saran wrap which they brought to the table and you chose what you wanted to eat. On the tour there were 3 talkative Australian girls, a Japanese couple living in Shanghai, 2 Italians, and 2 more Europeans. Our guide was a young girl named Gocan, or Rosebud.
After lunch we drove to Selime and saw a church that was converted into a mosque. Next we stopped at a small underground city in Derinkuyu I believe. We went into 2 levels, this city, we were told, is the only underground city where you can see the toilet.
We got back around 6:30 and went toeat dinner at a pita place, they are calling it Turkish pizza. On the way back I stopped and bought a long sleeve shirt because it has been so cold in the evenings

At 9:30 we went to the Hamam at the hotel for our first Turkish bath experience. they sell pkg plans so we got the 70 min one which was in hind sight a mistake. I was so satisfied with the sauna, scrub and wash that I could have been finished gone back to the room and went right to bed, but we had a 30 minute oil massage that was just so so that I had to endure. I would like to check the difference at a real Hamam. The other surprise that we got was that this one was mixed, which I was not really happy with, but at least we were covered with a towel. Shin had a woman wash him, which I thought was very interesting, because I thought they wouldn't do that. The oil massages were also given by women. It was good to go here to understand how it all works, but know that I know better I would be much more specific on what I wanted. The most interesting part about the was was when they put the warm soup bubbles on you. They get a big bunch of bubbles and they dribble them on your stomach. It felt like this warm thing was warming up my inside, at first I didn't realize that it was the bubbles but figured out that was what the sensation was from, it was so interesting.

Turkey Day 8

Woke up to diarrhea, not a fun way to start off the day, but definitely this was my gift from Konya. Had breakfast, it is supposed to start from 7:00 and again we were the first ones there a little after 7 and it wasn't until 8 before they had everything ready. Ready to leave I decided to get on the Internet and Shin said he was going out to get some money from an ATM. After an hour he still wasn't back and I was starting to get concerned. About a quarter past 9 I decided to walk down the street to see if I could find him. I knew he had wanted to stop at the information center, so I walked there and they said he hadn't been there. I was having visions of him being mugger or something. Went back to the hotel and at about 9:40 he came sauntering back. We had agreed that we would check out and leave by 9:30, thus my concern. He had decided to go for a walk and got a little lost. We had at least a 45 minute trip to the bus station, fortunately it was ok and we got there in plenty of time.

The 3 and a half hour bus ride wasn't so bad except we didn't have a break until almost 2 hours in and by that time my intestines were grumbling. I was glad I was able to hold out, just the Swedish bitters medicine wasn't doing the trick so I took the other medicine I had.

We arrived got checked into our hotel in Goreme, The Sultan Cave Suites, part of the Kelebek Hotel.

They explained the different tours that they offer at the hotel, and the Hamam pkg they offer. We decided to do the 9:00pm Whirling Dervishes tour. We first walked into the village and came back to the hotel for an early dinner, then off to the show.

The show was in an old caravan stopping point along the silk road, a Caravanseri. It wasn't all that exciting but it was good that we went. I think I was more excited about being in this great old building along the Silk Road. No pictures were aloud so the hope is that in Istanbul we may have that chance. Back to the hotel and into bed my 11.

Turkey Day 7

Monday, today we visited the Aladdin Tepsi Mosque.  As you can see from the picture below the pillars are from the Roman period.  No doubt at some point in time the lined some Roman road in the area, and they were recycled and used in this building.  We stopped in a couple of other mosques on our way to the Mevlana Museum.

The Mevlana Museum is home to the Whirling Dervishes.  Unfortunately we were not able to see a performance, they are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we are leaving Tuesday morning.  The museum was really nothing that really exciting.  There was a display case with some hair from the beard of the prophet Mohammed, that is said that still put off a rose scent.  There were holes in the bottom of the display case for people to smell, I tried, no smell.

A man praying at a mosque in Konya

After a short rest we headed off to Silla, an old village on the outskirts of the city with a church that was dedicated to the mother of Constantine.  There were also cave dwellings and we saw what would have been a church carved in the mountain. Panaghia Church.

Then on a hill over a graveyard was the remains of still another church, The Tepe Church.  They say this church has healing powers.

On the bus to the city an old man just started talking to us.  We figureed he wanted to know where we were from when he looked and Shin and said, "Japon".  He also offered us an apple, I refused but Shin took one.

We decided to go to Konya Mutfagi for dinner.  They brought us menus, then a guy come over and said basically what he recommended we eat.  Over and over he said, "this is ....., this is...., this is .....  We just nodded and said ok not knowing really what we were getting ourselves into. Although we knew that we would be getting our favorite Cherry drink.

First was an Okra soup, tomato based with lemon that you squeeze on.  the required basket of bread and some yogurt were also brought to the table.  Next a cucumber and tomato salad, which also seems to be standard fare.  Stuffed grape leaves with yogurt sauce.  The main course consisted of 3 different Kebap's, lamb kebap, Tereet/ terete kebap in a yogurt sauce, and sebzeli kebap with an eggplant sauce.  

Finally 2 deserts, one was like a Japanese bean paste and the other a type of baklava, that was round and much bigger than what I expected. It all came to 21 TL a good bargain compared to the fast food meal that was 23 the night before.