| In Turkey, the boldest kind of modernism lives in harmony with medieval
oriental values. The Turks live their daily lives to the rhythm of
the prayers called out from the minarets.
 When
prayers begin at midday, the bazaars in small town are suddenly empty
as everyone goes to the mosque: serving God comes before anything else.
In general, Turks care little about money, and they try to think about
life in a way which allows them to get the most out of it while putting
out as little effort as possible. It is a poor country, and life there
is difficult. Families are the pillars of Turkish society. Children look
up to their parents with deference. Parents cherish their children more
than anything on earth. At home, the mother is all powerful in her apartment
or "harem". According to the old Ottoman custom of using
only first names, you would be called "John Bey" (Mr. John)
or Mary Hanim (Mrs. Mary). Furthermore, Turkish first names are quite
poetic: Moon Princess, or Dew drop, for girls, and Light, Hope or Silver
Prince for boys. Hospitality is a very honored tradition in Turkey. Rural
families will generously offer room and board to wandering tourists. 
One of the most amusing things to do in Turkey is to barter (pazarlik)
in the markets, to get the best deals. If you make an offer and the merchant
accepts it, it's probably because what you are buying is not the highest
quality. Leave the store or stall to see what the merchant's intentions
really are. A beautiful, high-quality rug, or a gorgeous piece of pottery
may be worth the price, and you won't even have to barter. Of course,
ultimately, the choice is yours, but don't hesitate to do some comparison
shopping in different stores and pay in cold, hard cash.
Turkish baths or "hammam" are veritable institutions, and
sometimes they are still as lavish as they were in days gone by, with
their marble and ceramic tile interiors. There is a hammam in every neighborhood,
and their steamrooms, which are lit with the sunlight coming through the
little holes in the cupola, are appreciated by everyone. The massage that
follows your steambath will make you feel incredibly relaxed. On
Sundays, both the rich and the poor take the dolmus (minibus) to go into
the country, to the sea or to the mountains.
In Turkey, one lets oneself be cradled by the ephemeral joys of daily
life, music, painting, and poetry. 
Many Turks speak many European languages flawlessly. In rural villages,
people live as their ancestors lived, and do just fine without modern
conveniences.
Today, countless travel agencies offer cruises, guided tours, and suggestions
for your visits to the major tourist sites in Turkey. But don't be afraid
to tread off the beaten path. Wherever you go, someone will be there to
guide you toward the 1001 treasures of Anatolia and Thrace. |
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