Mosaics, Murals and Magic || Thanks to Mr. Gs love for travel, from Alaska to Australia, we have left our footprints on several lands. And then there are some lands which have left their imprint on our hearts. Forever. Thats the part of travelling I like the most, the way you fall in love with a new place or a custom, a local dish or wine, a different dance or dress. Again and again. This trip was the best you think, until, only until another happens and steals the thunder. And yet there is this one place that has had me in its clutches ever since I went there. By virtue of being cradled in the lap of Asia and Europe, this exceptionally beautiful country of Turkey was born. God save her from the evil eye for there isnt quite another country like Turkey. There is something in the air of Istanbul. Mystical. Mysterious. Mesmerising. It provokes you to discover more and more of her. And we did, the way we enjoy it best, on foot. We saw her many treasures, from the enthralling Top Kapi palace to the colourful chaotic Grand bazaar. Each and every sight on the tourists agenda and off it. Istanbul had touched that chord within which made us want to see, smell, savour every bit of her. A baklava here, the blue Mosque there, a cruise on the Bosphorous or relishing mezes on pulsating Istiklal street. Sometimes, the glee at watching a Turkish ice cream man churn out his act. Sometimes, the awe at the beauty of Islam and Christianity within the Hagia (Aya) Sofia. The mosaics and the murals on paths lesser known. Plenty we saw. Of Istanbul. Of ourselves too, in a new light. Lost in the chaotic mosaic of our mundane routine, the mural of our life at times had gotten dull and jaded. That spark,which keeps us forever full of wonder, awe and curiosity. Of being totally childlike. Istanbul had rekindled that. For always. If only, our hearts had never learnt to grow up! Turkey is home to 13 listed Unesco world heritage sites, we had to see a few at least, and so with a heavy heart we bid adieu to Istanbul. If there is a fairy land on earth it is here in Cappadocia. The breaking dawn, dotted with several multi coloured hot air balloons, slowly heaving their way into the clouds over an equally stunning landscape of gnome like, fairy chimneys and honeycombed hills is a breathtaking moment i will never forget. So completely enchanting was Goreme (unesco site) that, I was almost looking for the Seven dwarfs or Big Ears to surface anytime! If nature had put her best foot forward here, man was not far behind. His creation of the underground cities, like Kaymakli, is mind boggling! Of course it is a sad story, that these underground cities were made to protect man not from beasts,but the beast like atrocities of fellow men. Then too, just like today, the deepest darkest scars are the ones man inflicts upon his own. With Greece as its neighbour, there are many a Mediterranean influence to be seen. Cesme was one such breathtaking place. Tucked away. Quaint. We visited. And still do,very often, in the minds eye. His palm clasped in mine, we were climbing the wet white travertine terraces of Pammakulae barefeet. So taken was he by the overflowing cool blue pristine pools, that he suddenly quipped someday,mamma i will bring my children here . Ten summers old he was. Mistaking the happiness glistening in my eyes for hurt at being left out, he quickly added you too mamma, i will bring you too. At that moment, my heart overflowed, with pristine love, the way only a mothers heart can. We left Turkey, but carried a bit of her home, to keep a Turkish eye on that child within, which she had awakened. This eye hangs at the entrance to our home as if to say, stay young always. || Theme: Trips Trip: Turkey Gypsy: Amrita Gvalani
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:26:11 +0000
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