Road Trip to Eskisehir

On Sunday, Randy, Alice and Berna Dengiz (after a delicious Turkish breakfast at Casa Dengiz) piled in the rental car and headed to Eskisehir, a city about three hours to the west of Ankara.  Our object was to see Haluk Yapicioglu and his lovely wife Dilruba and their baby Utku (and their cat Tarcin).  Along the way, Alice wanted to stop at the small town of Sivrihisar, nestled in the hills of central Anatolia.  This is a venerable town with many old buildings.  Alice and Randy had stopped there last spring when they lived in Ankara to see the famed Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque), "Forest Mosque", a mosque with many wood columns dating from around 1200.  It was under restoration at that time and Alice figured it would be done.  Well, building projects in Turkish time take years if not decades and the mosque was still closed.  However, we noticed a sign for an Armenian church and, with a little help from some town people, found it.  It is a huge structure, nicely sited and is relatively recent (dates from 1881).  The church is restored however it is padlocked so entry was not possible.  However seeing the exterior was well worth the detour to Sivrihisar.  The church is named Surp Yerortutyun and you should make a point to visit if you find yourself in central Anatolia.  It would be nice if the local authorities made it possible to get inside too.  This town has other historic buildings and a great natural setting.  It is on our list for a return visit to better explore its riches.

Casa Dengiz in the Golbasi area of Ankara

A blooming bush which was attracting a huge number of pretty butterflies in the Dengiz garden

Some historic houses of the central Anatolian town of Sivrihisar

A wonderful half timbered house

A couple of local ladies were interested in us as strangers rarely find their way to this town

The renovation sign for Surp Yerortutyun.  It took many years to accomplish the church restoration (started in 2001 and the inside is still not open).

The carvings above the main entrance.  Randy was intrigued by these scary and presumably religious figures.

The church facade with our trusty rental car in the foreground

A garden lay to one side of the church

Alice and Berna admire this remnant of the Armenian community in Sivrihisar

The best shot Alice could get of the interior by peering through the windows.  You can see that the chandeliers are fully restored and the columns are magnificent

Alice and Randy enjoy this historic sight

The interesting geology in the hills that form the back of Sivrihisar

The crowning clock tower and ruined kale area of the town loom above the church

We then found Haluk's new home (after some serious logistics problems that involved incorrect GPS coordinates and addresses).  Waiting for us were also Yunus Alp, a friend from Auburn who works in Gemlik (about two hours away) and Dilruba's mother.  It was great to reunion with these friends and to meet little Utku who was extremely well behaved and quite handsome.  Dilruba and her mom had cooked a great Turkish feast for our late lunch / early dinner.  We dined well after touring the large, two story home that Haluk and Dilruba purchased last year.

Dad Haluk and with baby Utku

Dilruba keeps a watchful mother's eye over Utku

"Uncle" Yunus with Utku

Berna and Randy wait for the feast to begin.  The food included Alice's favorite which is purslane with garlic, somehow made into a magical combination only by Dilruba.  Her mother's dishes from the Van region were also incredibly tasty and a little spicy.

Randy and Yunus at the table

The gang in Casa Yapicioglu

Proud parents with their new baby and new home

After the meal, we drank tea and ate sweets and visited (and best of all for Alice, played with cat Tarcin).  Dilruba's father came in so we could meet him (the parents were visiting from Izmir but originally hail from Van).  It was a great afternoon and we were happy to have the opportunity to make this brief trip, especially with Berna.  Randy drove back in the evening while Berna worked in the back seat and Alice played intermittently on the internet with the cell USB connector that Orhan Dengiz had lent her.  A short but sweet road trip!

The feline lady of the house - Tarcin (she does not really have red eyes!)

Tarcin relaxes in her chair after dinner