markstravelblog2019

Saturday October 5, 2019

ANKARA, Turkey – It was not our intention to take in a great deal of Ankara, but we managed to do just that.

As things turned out, this was another 12,000-plus step day and, according to a downloaded app, that’s nearly six miles. We found Ankara as a city of hills and we paid the price, physically.

For Waynette, her knees gave out and I began to feel the aches of pain of constantly pounding the payment. Tomorrow, Sunday is a travel day so things may ease. We’re hoping for the best.

Because Ankara is a city of 5.5 million and our hotel is located in the northeast burbs, there was no way I was driving into the center. Instead, we did some research and learned the number 185 bus will take us near The Citadel, or Castle. We decided to start there and then make our way to Old Town.

The bus stop was about two blocks from our hotel and the cost was 3t each, or about 50 cents, US. After traversing through city streets and easing on and off freeways, the bus proceeded along Ataturk Bulvari, a tree-lined boulevard filled with shops, restaurants, tea houses and hookah store fronts, Not sure if we should get off and explore and not knowing how close to The Castle, we proceeded to stay on the bus. In time, the entire population of Ankara seemed on our bus and the vehicle was packed. Quickly, we realized we were going out of town.

In time, the bus turned around and proceeded the way from which it came. We checked a map and GPS to see exactly our location. Quickly, we make the decision to exit near a park. In time, we’ll make our way toward The Castle, we agreed and, somehow, we usually find the destination.

In the park, there were a series of fountains and rose bushes and quite idyllic. After taking a few pictures, we walked across the street to one of the great destinations in Ankara. This is the Kocatepe Mosque, built during the 20th century but modeled after the great Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

Like all worshipers, we took off our shoes and entered. The interior was neatly appointed and decorated in black, teal and gold. The prayer carpet, spread from wall-to-wall, was soft mint green and the ceiling was a majestic amalgam of windows and religious significance.

We stayed for about 15 minutes and you could feel the power and purpose of religion. It truly makes no difference of your religious affiliation and only takes a sensitivity of all peoples and cultures to appreciate this and other similar environments.

From the mosque, we started to wander through the back alleys of Ankara and came across stalls and vendors selling everything from pots and pans, to boots, sneakers, clothes and hard good items.

In time, we found our way to The Castle, but that was after a steep walk uphill to the entrance.

The history of the Castle is interesting because there is really no history. Originally built as a garrison, the site was occupied by many civilizations throughout time. There is no date of its construction and the main gate opens to a few streets with vendors and shops. After about a 10-minute walk, the visitor comes to a set of steps which leads into the main section of the structure. Walking up another steep incline, you reach the top of the garrison and rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree, panoramic view of the city.

With no landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Empire State Building in New York, Ankara seems like a large, overcrowded city, but this view is worth the walk.

From The Castle, we walked through back streets and made a few purchases. Coming down from The Castle, Waynette bought a hand-woven handbag and the woman wanted 50t. I pulled out the calculator on my phone and typed in, “40.” During this moment of negotiations, the woman said “45,” and I retyped “40.”

“No,” she shook her head. “45.”

So, Waynette pulled out two, 20t bills and I had five, 1t coins to complete the purchase for 45t, or about $8. A little further, we bought four drink coasters for 2.50t each or about 50 cents each. It’s interested to note that we secured the coasters at the “Sultan’s Gift Shop.” At least, that’s what the sign said hanging outside the shop.

Though we did nor realize at the time, we began to walk back toward the Kocatepe Mosque and decided to take the 185 bus back at Ataturk Bulvari. It was around 6:30, so we thought about jumping into the shopping and madness on Ataturk.

As the bus approached, we could see hordes of people spilling into the streets and sidewalks looked like locusts. Because we actually wanted to explore the area near the hotel, we decided to stay on the bus. We exited about three blocks from the hotel and popped in and out of malls that lined the streets.

For dinner, we found a place called “El Paso,” and Waynette wanted an American-style burger for the longest time. So, we went. Escaping the regiment of doner kebab, which we had at lunch time, the burger was satisfactory and I had a fettuccine alfredo pasta dish. I’d give that simply a passing review.

Then, the final uphill trek for anther three blocks and the physical necessity of our bed.

For Sunday, it’s a laundry and travel day and by Monday, we arrive in Istanbul

PICTURES – The Kocatepe Mosque, street scenes from Ankara, and The Castle

STEPS – 12,726 and nearly six miles