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Day
6
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Friday, May 12 Konya The
private school we visited in Konya.
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In the morning we visited a private Turkish elementary school and learned about the Turkish education system. Late morning we visited the Mevlana Museum, the former monastery of the Whirling Dervishes. We had lunch of Turkish pizza at Kaplan Brothers Caravan, Inc. They produce new carpets and kilims using old traditional patterns. After lunch we drove to a village where contemporary designer rugs are woven by village women and girls. We also visited a facility where new carpets are designed, dyed, washed, and prepared for sale. In the evening we were treated to a traditional Konya dinner narrated by Dr. Nevin Halici, an author and expert on Turkish food. |
The children were extremely curious about us. They study English throughout their education and were to eager to practice speaking to us.
Students were eager to pose for pictures. We sent copies back to them.
In the photo below, Moslem women are drinking holy water and bottling some to take home from the fountain in Mevlana mosque complex.
An older woman looks on and revels in having her photo taken.
Everyone in the village wants to meet the "Americans" and have their photo taken.
Below, Ahmet (our carpet expert from Karavan) stands with village people for a photo.
Colored yarn samples used by designers in new carpet production at the Kaplan Brothers production facility.
Below is a machine that rids the completed carpets of debris before they are washed.
After tumbling to get rid of debris, carpets are spread out on cement floors and washed with water and carpet shampoo.
The washed carpets are then spread out in the sun to dry.
Below, Maija stands with Nevin Halici, the creator of our traditional Konya dinner, and three of her nutrition colleagues.
