Our OAT tour group visited the homes of two families in a small village (Bogazkoy, near Kars). One half of our group ate lunch with one family; the other half with the other family.
Moe and I were guests of Saban and his wife, Birsen. They have four children; their older son entered the army this year, their older daughter is 18, their younger daughter about 12, and I don't know about their younger son--I didn't see him.
They live in a one hundred-year old farmhouse that was built by Saban's grandfather. It had three rooms (two bedrooms and a living room) and was immaculate. Every inch of the floor was covered in beautiful carpets. There was electricity and television. One or more of the children had cell phones. The kitchen was in a different attached building.
Outside there were the usual farm buildings, very close to the house. A turkey displayed it fine feathers for us. Saban did not eat with us and excused himself after greeting us, saying that he was beginning to plant barley and had work to do.
We asked Birsen's daughter, who was 12-ish, about school. She attended a school about 8K away; originally she rode the bus to school and back each day. Starting about mid year this changed; she now goes to school on Monday and returns home on Friday. During the week she boards at the school.
The Turkish government is building a dam that will flood the area (where the village is located) as the reservoir forms. Next week the family will find out how much compensation they will receive; they don't yet know where they will be relocated. Birsen said that she was not distressed by having to move, as she is looking forward to living in a new three-bedroom house.
Birsen served us in the living room on tables brought in for the occasion, I think. We had the same menu as the other group, but each hostess cooked for her own guests. Our lunch was lentil soup, bread, cooked vegetables and rice and a devine semolina cake followed by tea.
After lunch Birsen walked us to her neighbor's house where we met the other host and hostess. The kids ran around and hoped up and down. Everyone shook hands and said "thank you" in Turkish.
After I boarded the bus I realized I hadn't taken any photos, so took some from the bus.
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| Hostess (red shirt), her mother-in-law and various kids. This was the other host family |
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| My host family's daughter has her hand raised. Her shirt says "High School Musical 3" |
I think the two families were proud to host Americans travelers. We had a good time talking with our family, seeing their house and giving small gifts. The whole village, it seemed, showed up for the farewell. Laughter and good feelings were everywhere.
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| Mother-in-law scolded one of the boys; she gave him the "evil eye" and then shooed him away! |
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| Obsidian--this piece was translucent |
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| Some of the rock fractured and crumbled when touched. Roger thought it might be a form of asbestos. |
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| Nurdan and Ozan (OAT guide along with us for orientation to this region) confer about the rocks or about us! |
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| Nurdan explains all! |
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