The Harvard group catch a very early flight south to Izmir. We are met by a bus and head to Selcuk. We visit the 'House of the Virgin Mary'. This is a Roman Cathlic and Muslim shrine located in the vicinity of Ephesus. The Catholic church has never pronounced the authenticity of the house due to lack of acceptable evidence, but it is a very tranquil, peaceful place with a beautiful small church.
We transfer to the Selcuk 'The Black Sheep' carpet shop. We go through the usual ritual of learning about carpet weaving techniques and are then subjected to the usual demonstration of rugs available for purchase. We of course don't need any more rugs but JB is smitten so MB buys the desired rug.
We then move by bus to 'Sirence' village. This is a beautiful
Small rural town high in the mountains. We are staying at the 'Kirkinca Konaklari hotel'. This is a stunning very old house set in a very attractive garden with Turkish rugs and cushions strewn under lots of overhanging trees.
That might we are to join a traditional marriage festival. The dress code is traditional Turkish dress. We go shopping on arrival in the small bazaar to find our outfits for tonight. JB finds baggy harem style local pants a traditional white shirt and covers her head with an orange scarf. MB acquires a white short and woolen hand made waist coat and is proclaimed the 'Goat Herder'. Our host Omer is dressed in a fantastic long jacket and woolen cap. Disappointingly the rest of the group are not in traditional dress.
It is very hot and humid. The marriage festivity starts with eating a porridge-like meal of meat and wheat stirred in a
big pot, along with traditional Burek, and rough red wine. The ceremony starts with the
Beating of drums and blowing of horns then colorfully dressed male and female attendants dancing into the center of the crowded village, with the groom leading the bride on a horse. The bride is seated in the center and her attendants paint her hands with henna. The groom is seated in a barbers chair and is lathered and shaved by his attendants. There is much dancing involved until the marriage ceremony is concluded. This is followed by everybody joining in the traditional dancing. The bride and groom leave on two horses as a married couple.
This was a great experience, and the evening concludes with a big dinner and finishes our part of the Harvard reunion as we head back to Istanbul to join the Black Pearl.
JB and Mick