Walking in the bazaar, with the mosque's minaret in the distance.
Ciao, Hive family! βοΈ
My PC had some issues and I had to get it fixed. This costed me a couple of days, that's why I haven't been so present. I hope you didn't miss me too much! π Now I'm here, ready to tell you about my days in Sivrihisar and - in particular - about two significant and fascinating places in the eyes of a Western traveler: the bazaar and the mosque.
Actually, that day - Wednesday - started in an unusual way: I found myself crafting wool dolls and working ceramics in the Sivrihisar's typical way. Check out the results of my work in this pic: the doll and the red flower are my creations!
A walk in the bazaar
For me, Italian traveler, it was like an exotic dream. In all the places where I had been before, included my country, there's no room for negotiation on the price: here, instead, it's definitely part of the fun. At first, I felt uneasy about asking for a price reduction, thinking that these people had worked hard to bring their goods to the market. In reality, it was just my perspective, the filter of the culture I grew up in. In this other culture, on the contrary, a seller might even feel offended if you don't try to haggle the price down. And I have to admit, it was a lot of fun!
At the same time, I spent a considerable amount of time observing the passers-by around me. The bazaar provided me with the chance to witness them immersed in their daily lives, exhibiting habitual behaviors, each person with their own needs, thoughts and personality. Yet, they were all part of an ancient ritual spanning thousands of years.
I swear, this guy is not angry at me!
I stopped at his stall to chat for some minutes, and he shared his whole story with me. He spent many years working in Europe, mostly in Germany, but the call of Turkey tugged at his heart so sweetly that he decided to return home, resetting his life once again.
Oh, by the way, this was my best negotiation! At this point, I was pretty good π
Sivrihisar Grand Mosque
Ulu Mosque is the greatest example of wooden-poled mosques of Anatolia. It's now 800 years old and very well preserved, luckily. Also, it was added to UNESCO World Heritage in April 2016.
Even if I'm not religious, I appreciate the beauty, the silence and the pacific, solemn atmosphere that places like these offer. In this case, what struck me most is the genuine simplicity of the structure β clearly designed for prayer, rather than showcasing any form of power.
This day holds a special place in my heart because I crossed paths with a woman from Spain. We spent the entire day talking, and unexpectedly, love blossomed so intensely that we ended up getting married a couple of days later in EskiΕehir. I swear!
I can prove it!
What? You don't believe me?
Okay, okay, you're right. This isn't a wedding; it's an Ottoman restaurant, and I have serious doubts that the color of my keffiyeh complements the Oriental costume π₯π
π I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you so much for being here, for your attentation and for your time. If there is something I've expressed poorly or that you'd like to emphasize, or if you simply want to share adventures, feel free to text me in the comments π
See you on the road,
Alessandro