Life's a short trip...

When it came time to leave Cappadocia, Arielle and I were headed in different directions. With a midterm on Monday, Arielle took the night bus back to Istanbul and I headed to Konya.

Konya is known as a very conservative and religious city in Turkey. Some consider it to be the most conservative city* So I had some preconceived notions before I arrived. Some were right and some were wrong.

First, I went to the Whirling Dervishes museum. The Whirling Dervishes (Mawlawi Order) are a sect of Sufi order of Islam. The order started in Konya in the 13th century. They are known for their elaborate dances, which are in remembrance of God. The museum is pretty cool. You have to treat it like a Mosque. You must take off your shoes and wear a headscarf a well. Many people go to the Museum to pray at the tomb of the founder of the order. Konya is the type of place that attracts Turkish tourists rather then international tourist.

Then I got lost. The guidebook makes things look so easy sometimes and sometimes they just aren't. I was looking for a certain street that had many of the other tourıst attractions on it, but I was failing miserably. I tried to ask two police officers where the street was. They understood what İ was askıng but didn't know how to give directions that I would understand. Eventually this led to these two people who barely spoke english taking me to the street I was looking. In fact they called another friend spoke a little bit more English and spent the rest of the day showing me Konya.


They became my Konya tour guides making sure I eat the things ( aka meatbread) Konya was famous. They took me to all the parks in the city. It was awesome. We were able have to conversations about Turkey, America and family. They showed me all the cities I should visit and the places I should see around Turkey. Sometimes people are so nice especially in Turkey!

I have come to love traveling because of moments like that. I was lost, asked for directions, and out of nowhere I made friends. I got a taste of Konya that I wouldn't have otherwise. I had a not met my new friends I would gone to some museums and left Konya no problems. Instead I got to see the city for what it really is, rather then just saying yea its a conservative city in Turkey. Of course it is an religious center and you can see that upon your arrival, but it also filled with beautiful parks, great food and wicked cool people.

more to come on spring break and all....