Turkey Day 4

Better late than never, right?? I just found this and saw that I never finished or published it. So we're jumping back to Day 4 of Turkey and I've stuck in a few pics from this most recent trip. The other pictures are from Winter & Fall 2012. Let me remind you that for Fall semester, I was wearing a removable cast - I had just gotten out of my surgical cast and begun physical therapy. Anyway - moving on.

 

This beautiful place is Assos. Paul went here on his third missionary journey. Getting to the top of Assos, requires walking through a charming little town - but it is all cobble stone and uphill - way uphill. I was nervous about trying this, but Kent stayed with me and helped me over "scary looking" spots. It was good for me because I realized that I could do most of the sites without fear. :)

 

One of may gorgeous views from the top:

 

 

 

 This is from May 2013 - reflecting on my last time in Turkey. :(

 

I mentioned that we walk through a little village to get to and from Assos. We pass many shops on the way. I thought these table cloths were so beautiful!

 

 

 

This is the theater is in the lower part of the city and we only took the students there in Winter 2012.

 

This next place is called Pergamum. Pergamum is mentioned in the book of Revelation as one of the seven churches of Asia.
Pergamum was built on a steep hill that rises 1000 feet above the valley floor, so we took trams to the top.

This is what remains of the Temple of Athena

 

This runs under the temple platform:

The theater, built on the steep slope of the hill, provides a spectacular view of the valley below and contains around 10,000 seats—the steepest seating of any known theater in the ancient world. When we got to here, I opted out and went the easy way around. I do that anyway, even without a cast because it cascades straight down the side of the mountain!

This is from the most recent semester - it was very hot and windy up there! Kent never lost me, though. :)

This is a LOOOONG day of driving on the bus, so these are the only 2 sites we visit. We end up at a very nice hotel where we can relax a bit.

Utah Governor's reception - April 25, 2013

You probably were aware that Governor Herbert came to Jerusalem with the Trade Commission. Zions Bank sponsored the trip and the Center was asked to host an evening. The evening consisted of a high-class stand up dinner/reception. The kind where you wander from station to station and get little plates of delectable foods to "sample". Shishkebab, soup, salads, drinks. It was meant for the Governor to mingle with Israeli dignitaries and spread good will. The problem? He and his wife were 50 minutes late and spent the last 10 minutes hobnobbing not with the Israeli dignitaries but with President Uchtdorf.  Strike 1.

Following the reception, we moved into the auditorium for a concert. Zions Bank was supposed to schedule bring with them from Utah, some great performers. They didn't. Strike 2. Our amazing Neomi Weinstein had 4 days to find some world-class performers who were available on that date. She came through unbelievably well! Neomi puts together our weekly Sunday concerts and the biannual art display here at the Center. She is very good at what she does.

To begin the concert we had short remarks by Jim Kearl - the Assistant to the University President over the Jerusalem Center; then Scott Anderson - from Zions Bank; last and definitely least [he referred to a city in the West Bank as "Israel". among other fopahs] - Governor Herbert. Strike 3.

However, let's move on to the real high-light of the evening. The concert:

Hila Baggio - Soprano

She is one of the most successful, critically acclaimed Israeli sopranos. She has sung many leading roles with the Israeli Opera, and with many of the leading orchestras in Israel. She sang 5 short numbers - each one more incredible than the one before. Each one showing the range and ability of her voice. Awesome!

Dan Deutsch - accompanist

 

He has established himself over the years as a recitalist, chamber music player and accompanist in several countries. He has won numerous prizes and awards for outstanding pianist. This guy was phenomenal! I wish I could have seen his fingers better!! I thanked him afterwards and he looked surprised. His friend told me that no one ever comments on HIS abilities - only on the singer that he plays for. Made me sad.

Dorel Golan

 She has performed with leading orchestras in more than 40 countries. She is 1st prize winner of numerous national and international competitions. She is 19. Again I wish I could have seen her fingers better. Actually I could see in her face, the emotion she was putting into her fingers. She did 3 numbers. Breathtaking!!

Alexander and Daniel Gurfinkel

These two are twins and carry on a great family tradition. Their grandfather, Arkady Gurfinkel, was a well-known clarinet player, teacher, and arranger. Their father, Michael Gurfinkel, is among the leading clarinet players in Israel. The twins began their musical education at the age of 8 and when they were 12 they were invited to appear as soloists in the annual concert for young musicians with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. They are really entertaining because they play off of each other and to the audience. Not to mention they are fabulous clarinetists!!

Remarkable program, followed by remarkable dessert tables. My mouth is hanging open in amazement. :)

The evening was a huge success - thanks to our wonderful team of people here at the Center. They are all so glad it is over.

Turkey Day 6 - almost the end of the trip

This day starts at a place called Sardis. Sardis was one of the seven cities that John wrote to in the Book of Revelation. Our first stop, of course, is to the restrooms.

 

I'm the monitor! :)

 

 Right outside the restrooms is this woman selling scarves. Beautiful scarves.

Our next stop - the Temple of Artemis.Construction began on this temple in 300 B.C., but expansions and renovations continued for many centuries. This temple was the fourth largest Ionic temple in the world and one of the seven largest of all Greek temples. The southeast portion of this temple was eventually turned into a Byzantine church.

The man in the center there is our boss, Eran Hayet. He came with us to Turkey in Winter of 2012.

 

 I'm not thrilled by ruins, unlike Kent. One column looks like another to me :). But, the setting is UNBELIEVABLE!!!

 

In the lower part of Sardis there is a gymnasium - really amazing!!

 

 Right next to it is a synagogue. That is our guide, Necip, waiting for us. :)

 

 There are some beautiful, original tiles on the standing walls:

 

 And always a favorite of mine - mosaics:

Thyatira was our next site. Thyatira is also one of the Seven Churches that John wrote to in the Book of Revelation. It was famous as a center for producing purple dye.

After Paul saw the “man of Macedonia” in a vision, he sailed from Troas and traveled to Philippi in Macedonia. In Philippi he met a wealthy woman named Lydia (who was originally from Thyatira), and he baptized her and her entire household. Lydia was “a seller of purple”, meaning she owned a successful business manufacturing and selling purple cloth—a trade she probably learned growing up in Thyatira. The ruin is in the middle of modern-day Ahkisar in northwestern Turkey.

 

 We walked down this lovely street on our way to the ruin:

These are a few shots of the site itself:

This is a view of the streets surrounding the site:

We made a drive to a place called Bursa.

It was famous because of its hot springs and baths. It was also an important international trade center for silk and other imported products on the caravan route from Asia.

The largest mosque in Bursa is called the Ulu Cami (a phrase that means “Grand Mosque” in Turkish and is pronounced “U-lu JA-mee”). The building is rectangular and has 20 domes arranged in rows of 5 and supported by 12 massive columns. Outside the mosque are 2 thick minarets. Inside the mosque is a large fountain used for ritual washings before prayer, as well as almost 200 examples of beautiful calligraphy on the walls, columns, and large plates, written by famous Seljuk calligraphers.

This is a place to wash before entering the mosque. Also, notice the thick minaret to the left:

 

Another washing area:

 

 Entrance:

 

Washing or ablution fountain inside. The dome above is open, so when it rains - it rains into the fountain. :)

 

 

 Different scenes inside. Look at all the beautiful calligraphy:

 

 This niche is called the Mihrab and faces Mecca - the direction that Muslims face when they pray.

 

 Just to the right of the mihrab is the minbar - where the Imam stands preach. The cute guy in front is NOT the Imam. :)

 

 

The Grand Mosque is next to the Bursa Silk market. It was once a caravansary and the shops & restaurants are within the old rooms and lofts of that caravansary. I've gotten some beautiful scarves here.

 

This is one of the entrances:

Courtyard:

 

 Stairs going up to the upper level:

 

 Our day ends with a stay in a very nice hotel with great food. Great day all around!