June 16, 2009 – Day 173 – Istanbul, Turkey
Quite a busy day today! This morning we sat on the carpeted floor of the Blue Mosque watching the hoards of tourists pour in one side and back out the other within seconds. There were only a few local people there to actually pray and I have no idea how they could have done so with all the noise!
The (massive) Blue Mosque
June 15 2009 - Day 172 – Istanbul, Turkey
Somehow we managed to get ourselves into another 16 hours of traveling and after a long, hot search for lodging we broke down and took the cheapest place we found.
Down by the sea
June 14, 2009 – Day 171 – Goreme, Turkey
We clamoured up the hill past the stunning wildflowers of pink, purple, vibrant blue, and bursting yellow. It was our first outdoor glimpse of the countryside. In the morning light it was even more splendid and just unbelievably beautiful. Having surveyed our surroundings, we slid back down the hill and crossed the road. We traveled along a tiny stream running alongside the road lined with more wildflowers. (for more on Cappadoccia click here)
The Hill
June 13, 2009 – Day 170 – Goreme, Turkey
Sixteen traveling hours total today but we finally, happily arrived in Goreme (the main town in Cappadocia). Had some trouble locating a cheap hostel and ended up staying at this fabulous place called Blue Moon Motel & Pansion.
Tasty Turkish Pides
June 12, 2009 – Day 169 – Aleppo, Syria
Since we are really just in transit to Turkey and don’t have enough time to really see Syria this time around, we checked out early and caught a bus to Aleppo. Unfortunately, we spent most of the day traveling and didn’t get to Aleppo til early evening.
The drive north
June 11, 2009 – Day 168 – Damascus, Syria
The day was slow, uneventful, and really really hot. We wandered lazily through the Grand Bazaar glancing into the doors and windows of the thousands of shops selling everything from duvets to cheap souvenirs to tea and fruit. A man with a mustache dressed in black gypsy pants, a brightly embroidered, ruffled shirt and a fuzzy black hat sold tea from a 3 foot tall samovar making clinking melodies with the tea cups on his fingers.
Syrian Tea Seller
June 10, 2009 – Day 167 – Damascus, Syria
“What do you mean you won’t take us to Syria?” We were both flabbergasted at the idea of not being able to get a bus to Damascus. We had tried nearly 10 bus companies and none would take us even just to the Syrian border because we are Americans. Lucky for us, we found one company who didn’t speak enough English for us to explain that it would take a long time so they took us to the border, but when they were told by border officials just how long it would take for us to get visas we were promptly kicked off.
Oh Jordan, you bastion of hope in a land of uncertainty. We left Egypt exhausted from being pushed, dragged, and swindled. We needed a place of rest and Jordan came to our aid. We wandered the ruins of Petra, swam… or floated , rather in the Dead Sea, ate falafels until we nearly burst, scaled the dunes of Wadi Rum, learned a great deal about the peace and love of Islam, and enjoyed beyond words an amazing culture and people.
We can’t wait to come back to Jordan. For such a small country it holds an abundance rewards. It was even more stunning coming from the conflict ridden land of Egypt. The king should be very proud: his subjects are some of the kindest people we have ever had the pleasure of meeting…
June 9, 2009 – Day 166 – Amman, Jordan
We checked out from the hostel and set out to the bus station with plans of going to Damascus today. We tried countless bus companies and all that we asked refused to take us to Damascus because we don’t already have Syrian visas.
The fruit market
June 8, 2009 – Day 165 – Amman, Jordan
Today we made our way back toward the Dead Sea to the place where John the Baptist worked, the Jordan River, and the widely accepted sight of Jesus’ baptism.
John the Baptist's new church
Taxi Rides = 121
Boat Rides = 31
Motorcycle Rides = 9
Plane Rides = 16
Bus Rides =319
Train Rides = 124
Rickshaw Rides = 98
Truck Bed Rides = 25
Rainy Days = 41
Current Rummy Score
Lin 10950, Saben 12435
