Odds and Ends

Jerry felt pretty punk yesterday from the cold he picked up on the plane, but was given some Musenex so should feel better today

The walking poles have been fabulous! Even so I find myself struggling at times but Ikeep on trucking.

Had a walk this morning among the mamouth rock formations. There were no other tourists and I felt very small - almost like being in a non commercial Garden of the Gods.

Yesterday afternoon we visited a carpet weaving demonstration. First we visited a room where 5 ladies were weaving, but it wasn't the back and forth weaving I'm used to. The weaver would take about 8 inches of wool and wrap it around two different up and down strands - the loop making a knot around each. She would then pull the yarn down and jerk on it so that it broke. She laid the remaining piece of yarn up above to be used the next time that color appeared in the pattern. The ladies were given only half of the pattern. They were suppose to do the other half from memory. Girls as young as 14 could start learning to weave. They could take classes for 2 summer months for 3 years. If they qualified they were given a job. If they chose they could work at home. The company would set up a loom in their own house for them.

Some of the rugs were made of silk. That weaver could not break her thread by pulling, but kept a sharp little knife in her hand to do the job. Their fingers just flew.

In another room they had silk worm cocoons and showed how they could take a strand of silk from the covoons it took 500 of these to make a sturdy weaveable strand of silk

The finished rugs were magnificent! Rich in color and design Some would change color depending on where you stood. The White House Rose Room sports one of these rugs.

Three in our group bought. They got a great deal. The rugs were to be delivered
to their doors and the taxes were paid by the company. They in turn would be reimbursed by the government who wants to keep this craft alive.

Atop most every house is a water tank and 3 solar panels.

The word Cappadocia comes from Persia meaning "Land of well bred horses". Horses are said to have come to Europe via Turkey - as did tulips to Holland.

One gal hurrying to the bus paid the man and left. He came running after her. She had given him a 100 lira when she had meant to give him a 10! We've found the people to be very honest, friendly and kind.