Jeffrey Donenfeld

Tag: Turkey

  • Cyprus: Divided

    Cyprus: Divided

    In June of this year (2017), I explored Cyprus – both the southern Cypriot side, as well as the northern Turkish-controlled side. A few videoclips and photos from my discovery of the border areas, mountains, and other interesting quirks.

    • Exploring Larnaca
    • Scuba Diving the Wreck of the Zenobia
    • Attending Larnaca’s Summer Festival
    • Exploring southern Nicosia
    • Crossing the border into northern Turkish-controlled Nicosia
    • Exploring Famagusta
    • Climbing and exploring Saint Hilarion Castle and walking around Girne
    • Lunching in Ayia Napa
    • Crossing through British Overseas Territory in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area
    • Catching up with Boomtown program friends!

  • Turkey Weekend, 2011

    A few shots from the weekend at home with the family…
    Full set on Flickr

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/6429306465/in/set-72157628215651537
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/6429327371/in/set-72157628215651537
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  • Turkey Day Ten – Istanbul to Tel Aviv

    Turkey Day Ten – Istanbul to Tel Aviv

    Today was another big air travel day. We woke up early at Kirk’s house, and met up with friend Wills for a quick breakfast at home. Our one last stop before departure was the large Istanbul Bazaar, where we bought some interesting little trinkets – my only souvenir purchases of the trip!

    One more last foam cup of Sahlep with cinnamon from a street cart, and we were back to Kirk’s house. We all got tasty, white castle-like Wetburgers in Taxim, and then Steph and I said goodbye to Kirk, and got the Havash to the airport, to fly to Israel.

    Once in Tel Aviv, Steph and I got the bus back home to Her apartment in Jerusalem, where her roommate fed us a good home cooked meal. Finally for the day, we went out to a local bar to meet up with some friends and listen to our friend DJ.

  • Turkey Day Nine – ‘Antep

    Turkey Day Nine – ‘Antep

    Today was our much needed rest and travel day. We slept late in our posh hotel room in Gaziantep, and then spent the better part of the morning in the topfloor breakfast salon, enjoy

    ing the view of a powerful blizzard hitting the town. We were amazed to see sych a blizzard in southern Turkey, just a few kilometers away frim Syria, but from our warm hotel salon, it was a beautiful sight.

    After our extended breakfast session, we went downstairs to Gu

    luoglu to grab some “mass consumption” Baklava, and the met up with a couple friends who live in tow

    n for another huge lunch. We also got a chance to stop by a Kadiefe bakery where they taught us how to make the stringy dough. Lunch was great as usual, and afterwards Kirk went off to return the car while Steph and I had tea.

    Before going off to the airport, we made one more Baklava tasting stop at Cagdas, where we made extensive literary comparisons between Guluoglu Baklava and Cagdas Baklava. Cagdas def won.

    Then we were off to the airport to catch our flight back to Istanbul, our home base and where Kirk lives. When we landed in Istanbul, they too were having a giant blizzard – we were amazed the plane was actually able to land in such whiteout conditions. But the snow was great, and reminded me of Colorado.

  • Blizzard In Istanbul

    Blizzard In Istanbul

    Originally uploaded by jamfan2

    Landed safely back in Istanbul – to a huge blizzard!

  • Baklava At Cagdas In Gaziantep, Turkey

    Baklava At Cagdas In Gaziantep, Turkey

    Originally uploaded by jamfan2

  • Turkey Day Eight – Beehive Houses

    Turkey Day Eight – Beehive Houses

    beehive-housesThis morning we woke up in the sketchiest hotel yet, Otel Dogu, in Sanliurfa. We got out of there quickly, had a quick breakfast, and hit the road towards Harran.

    In Harran, we were struck by how many civilizations had lived there, and how many layers of building were waiting to be uncovered. We also explored traditional rock, brick and adobe beehive houses, and a ten sided citadel.

    From Harran, we drove back to Sanliurfa, and spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the bazaar and 12th century Urfa Castle. We had dinner in a restaurant in a huge cave, then walked back to the car for the drive to Gaziantep.

    In ‘Antep, we decided to splurge a little and got a nice hotel room with a shower for 90YTL.

  • Beehive houses in Harran

    Beehive houses in Harran

    Image_27.jpg

    Originally uploaded by jamfan2

    Beehive houses in Harranhttps://www.jeffreydonenfeld.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=555&action=edit#

  • Turkey Day Seven – Canyonlands

    Turkey Day Seven – Canyonlands

    euphrates-sunsetThus morning we woke up early in Biercheck, and made the beautiful drive through the canyonlands on our way to Halfeti.

    During the drive, we passed through fields full of dormant olive trees, and made a couple of stops to take in the surroundings. Much like the American southwest, there were huge canyons, with lakes and rivers at the bottom. Spectacular cliffs, and rich, dark soil. There were no clouds in the sky, and the sense of open space was refreshing.

    We arrived in Halfeti around noon. The small town sits on a hillside, on the banks of the Euphrates River. From Halfeti, we hired a boat to take us down the Euphrates a bit, to a small town on the banks, which had the minaret of its mosque submerged underwater. When the Euphrates was dammed, many towns and buildings that were close ti the water were submerged – including this town’s mosque.

    After tea there, we headed across the river and explored the ruins of an ancient castle. The castle was in ruins, but we could still find arches and entire rooms that were intact. Our friend with the boat showed us a spot at the very top of the hill to watch the sun set on the Euphrates.

    After Halfeti, we had a good fish dinner in Bierchek, and drove to Sanlirufa to spend the night.

  • Turkey Day Six – Syrian Border

    Turkey Day Six – Syrian Border

    turkish-shepardWaking up in Kilis this morning, we knew today was going to be a busy one. We started off checking out of the Hotel Paris, throwing our gear in the car, and heading out on a walk around town. Kilis isn’t big, so we covered the town in just an hour or two.

    Kirk and I then went to grab a cup of coffee while Steph went to the women’s session at the Hamami. After that we loaded into the car and headed for the Syrian border.

    The border was a short 10 minute drive due south. While we didn’t make it into Syria because of visa restrictions, we did talk to some of the border guards in the booth on the edge of the Turkey/Syria buffer zone.

    After the Syrian border, we took a back road to the small farming village of Yesemeck. On the way we met a shepard with his flock in the side of the road, who invited us over to his house down the road for tea.

    In Yesemeck at sundown, we visited the ancient Hittite rock carving field, and were invited over for dinner and tea by the groundskeeper.

    At his house, we were introduced to his whole family – wife, 5 kids, cousin. We had a great traditional meal with the family, then hung out with them for a while.

    We got back in the car late, and drove a final few kilometers to Bierceck, where we spent the night.