"Green tourism" in the Turkish style
This season, Turkish tour operators for the first time present a new type of tour - "Turkish Village", known in Ukraine as "Green Tourism". I can't say that Ukrainians are very interested in such a trip, because we have almost the same villages. But capitalist Europeans have something to look at before Turkey joins the EU.
Individually or in a group of tourists to bring to the usual village, which is 20 minutes drive from the hotel. The center of the village, as usual, is the area near the mosque. The guide tells what the name of the village means, what its inhabitants do, how they take care of children, the elderly, how they take care of cattle, etc.
From the famous local elders we pass near the courtyard of the mosque. If you have to get between services, which take place five times a day, you may be lucky enough to enter the main hall of the mosque. Taking off your shoes and covering your head (for women), we enter the room. The village mosque is not large, without luxurious mosaic panels.
But traditionally on the floor - carpets, on the walls - plaques with quotes from the Koran, the image of the Holy Kaaba and photos from the Hajj. On the columns there are nails with various rosaries, for those who came to pray. Answering stupid questions like “Is it true that women can't go to the mosque? "- The guide explains: " Anyone can come to the mosque, if Allah wills. Women have a separate place on the balcony, they never pray between men, but usually together. There are no separate services for women. " We return to the yard. The guide says that in most cases the construction or repair of the mosque is carried out for the movement of voluntary donations of believers. There is no family in the village that has not given at least a lyre.
Seeing a group of foreigners, grandmothers come to the square and invite them to visit them. They are dressed as many years ago: floral calico pants, jacket and white scarf. And it's not for tourists - they soak for an hour.
We go to the courtyard next to the mosque. The houses here are very old, but strong. Most of the buildings are over 150 years old, so this is a real museum. As usual, the house is divided into three rooms: men's, women's, and central, ie - common. There are rugs everywhere, on the floor and on the walls, and of course handmade by the hostess. Patterns are traditional for this area. In most stories - flowers. The ceiling is made of wooden beams. The open closet is full of mattresses and folded carpets. On the porch under the roof a whole bunch of shoes, it is not brought into the house. The hostess made tea, treats tourists. Some people noticed a barrel of olives ...no problem - the hostess treats everyone. Homemade brine is much tastier than the factory one ...The owner came and shows the household. Two old men cope with three cows, three bulls, a small flock of sheep, two hunting dogs, countless piles of chickens ...and pigeons.
I ask: “Why do you keep pigeons, eat them? ».
He laughs and says, "No, I just like it. " Figs, nuts, eucalyptus, grapes and apple trees grow in the yard. Tidy everywhere, clean. "Purity - the Turks have blood, we do not tolerate disorder" - explains the guide. Their children have grown up, separated, grandchildren come to help. And when the whole homeland gathers, it is a great happiness. This is the ancient modern Turkish village.
