Konya to Antalya, Mevlana Museum, Taurus Mountains, Aspendos

Western Turkey - Group Journal
Day 8 - Saturday, 11 April 1998
by Joe and Carla Nicks

Mevlana, Meli, Rumi, Raquella, Mevlana, Mahmut, Mevlana. Here we are all together on Rick Steves' magical mystical tour. The theme seems to be synthesis but it could be modern culture or gastronomy or just plain good fellowship.

Today is Saturday so we must be in Konya, known in the old days as Iconium. Our hotel, the Otel Sifa, is located near downtown. A late start (9:30) gave some of us a chance to walk to the local market - a real market, not a tourist market. More treasure acquired to weigh down everyone's expanding bags.

The first organized stop was a mosque near the hotel. Full dress code in force - no shorts, no shoes and scarves for the women. Meli gave a short lecture about Rumi (Mevlana) who came to Konya after a great deal of travel. His philosophy of love and tolerance was appealing to all. Next stop was the Mevlana Museum which is adjacent to the mosque. The museum contained a sarcophagus of Rumi, various artifacts of his life, etc. Everyone humming Sufi music.

Lunch at the hotel and then on the road to Antalya with the good thoughts of Mevlana. "Optimism is like a rose garden. All can be gained by the power of love. Love is the sultan of sultans."

A long bus ride to Antalya with various sights along the way including a stork nest on an electric pole, donkey carts and a large herd of black goats. The route we took went through the Taurus mountains on winding roads. What they say about Turkish drivers is true. Although the rules say they should drive on the right, they all drive in the middle. Pass at will and yield for no one. Thank Allah for Metin and his steady driving.

The highlight of the bus ride was Mahmut's explanation of circumcision in Turkey and his own somewhat humorous experience. We all appreciate his good nature in telling the story!!

As we approached Antalya the weather changed somewhat. In Konya it was sunny, warm and dry. When we arrived at the coast it was still warm (70s) but much more humid. Still very nice for early April.

Shortly before Antalya we turned off the main road and made a short visit to the Roman theatre in Aspendos. Built in 161-180 AD during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, it is the best preserved Roman theatre in Asia Minor. It was a jaw dropper for everyone in our group. On the return route from the theatre we stopped and took obligatory photos of a beautiful Roman aqueduct. Our history lesson for the day was complete.

Antalya is a large bustling resort town with lots of activity. We are staying at two pensions near each other, the Atelye and the Mini-Orient. We are enthusiastically greeted at each - real back door places.

As we arrived in Antalya, Meli explained that we would have our "Turkish bath" experience here. The announcement was met with equal parts of enthusiasm and trepidation - none of which was changed by a detailed description of Turkish bath procedures! Most of us have decided to participate with half going tonight and the other half tomorrow.