January 13th, 2007 | categorizilation: all categories,Turkey,vids
Takin’ it real easy today. Went for a walk in the morning to find an ATM, and found this.
It is the Cifte Minareli Medrese (Double Minaret). It’s the main sight in Erzurum, what a sight it is. When I was there, there was not another soul there. Old and silent and cold. An ancient building existing in the mist.
As I wandered around the back of the building, a short man with glasses that threatened to fall off the tip of his nose trotted over and introduced himself.
“My German is much better than my English. Hello, my name is Necati.”
If his German was better than his English, then he must speak fairly astonishingly good German.
Necati is the owner of a small carpet shop next to the Double Minaret. He has carpets from all over the region including Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and of course Turkey. Some up to 100 years old.
I made it fairly clear that I was not in a position to buy a carpet, but I think the salesman in him got the better of him and he ended up showing me more carpets than I have ever beholden in my life.
(click on image for short video)
Carpets, hmmm…. See any flying ones on sale?
Imagine living in a place where that architecture is all around you and common place! Have you found the natives friendly? You seem to be okay as far as packs of dogs are concerned at the moment. Do you think the carpet salesman was honest? I've heard of plenty of tourists thinking they are buying a genuine Turkish carpet, only to find, when they get home, that they have been ripped off big time.
Mikael, I wish! Would get me to England a bit quicker.
Aunty Jenny, I am fairly sure that Necati was honest. He was jolly obsessed with carpets. Seemed to know his stuff…but hey, what would I know. The locals are great. Very sure of themselves and interested in western things, especially westerners on crazy bicycles.
"It's an interesting world, the world of carpets…" That's a great line. I am going to remember it tomorrow at work and smile. That will hopefully get me through the day. Thanks again for the video!
we are Ilir and Dan.
We are 12 years old. We study in Tavarnelle (Florence-Italy).
we are from Italy.
Italy is a big.
you are very famous here, because our teacher Stefano told about your beautiful adventure.
write us.
bye bye
Ilir and Dan, thank you for your comment.
I am very happy to get a comment from you.
I want to visit Italy very much.
Many people say that Italy is a very beautiful country.
I think I will arrive in Italy in March 2007.
Say hello to your teacher Stefano for me!
From Rob
