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

Engagement Party in Ankara

We flew from Izmir on Saturday with the aim to attend the engagement party of our very special friend, Ozge Sumer, with Ali Oguz Tezgor.  This occurred that evening at Ozge's home which she shares with her lovely mother, Cevahir.  This is a luxury apartment, exquisitely decorated, in Bilkent 2.  We arrived early (as asked to) to enjoy seeing the bride's family (aunts, uncle and cousin) from the Black Sea town of Ordu, which Alice visited last spring.  They were all in their festive gear.  We were also anxious to meet Ali, to see if he measured up (that is, is worthy) for Ozge.  

The elegant living room of Casa Sumer

The French style is evident as is the good taste of the ladies who live here

Another shot of this "house beautiful" in Bilkent 2

Two amazing women - Cevahir and Ozge Sumer

A dual selfie before the party starts.  Alice is wearing the festive jacket from Bejaia, Algeria that was a gift from the generous Medjoudj family.

The family Batuk (Cevahir's maiden name) from Ordu on the Black Sea in Turkey.  You can see that they are an extremely handsome bunch.

Ozge, Alice and Zulfiya Sahin wait for the party to start

Zulfiya (who is a special friend of both of our's and the Sumer's) hangs out with Ozge before the groom's arrival

After some preparations, the intended groom and his family arrived with flowers and chocolates (what could be better?).  They all hail from Istanbul but Ali works with Ozge at Man Bus Manufacturers in Ankara.  Ali cuts a fine figure and was gracious and funny.  We had a great first impression of this man who will marry our "Turkish daughter."

The future groom, Ali, with his father, bearing chocolates and flowers finally arrive

The groom with his mother and father sit on the couch and get ready to take care of the formal part of the event

Ozge's father's aunt who is also the mother of Necla Orgen, of Auburn, on right.  Ozge's father, Metin, sadly passed away quite young but a few members of his family were present.   On the left is a friend of Necla's mom who also helps her get around as she is very elderly (though still as charming and beautiful as ever).

The engagement party was a traditional Turkish one with the ritual of small speeches and the making of the coffee (Turkish, of course) by the intended bride for the groom and his family.  Ozge was so sweet and did not put salt in Ali's as some playful brides do (it is critical that the groom drink all of the coffee).  

The coffee ritual - Ali was lucky that his was not salt spiked

The formal expressions of intent take place

That finished, the happy couple can begin the more enjoyable parts of the evening

Daughter and mother are glad that things are going really well

Alice and Randy with the new couple

Ozge's dress came from Los Angeles while her mother's outfit came from Milan.  Both were gorgeous.  Ali and Ozge with Tuncar and Zulfia Sahin.

Then followed the placing of the engagement rings.  This is also different from in the U.S.  The groom gets a thin ring (for his right hand - moves to the left when he marries) and the bride gets a thin ring also to add to her diamond engagement ring).  These are joined by a red ribbon.  Alice was asked to symbolically cut the ribbon (indicating the successful completion of this part of the ritual) which she did with joy.

Alice is new to this ribbon cutting ceremony

On the right it the pretty sister of the groom

Alice does the deed

The final formality at Casa Sumer

Happiness abounds

Afterwards, chocolates were eaten and champagne was drunk.  The party then moved to the nearby Bilkent Hotel for a seated dinner.  The food was delicious and there was plenty of wine flowing.  A toast was offered for the future bride and groom.  Also, an amazing cake (just like our U.S. wedding cakes) was brought out.  The bride and groom cut the cake and fed each other, just like in a U.S. wedding reception.  Partying continued until everyone got tired and headed home.

The champagne toast at home, U.S. style

Tuncar and Randy at the dinner

Alice and Zulfiya enjoyed the wine and companionship

Two aunts from Ordu

The third aunt from Ordu, Ayse Batuk (looking like a model), with her young nephew Berke

The lamb and bulgar pilav

The cake was really delicious - with chocolate and meringue

The toast at the dinner at the Bilkent Hotel

The couple with their impressive cake

Just before the cake cutting and eating ceremony

It was a lovely evening for a wonderful young woman and her chosen spouse.  It was interesting that the event was a combination of U.S. style engagement and wedding festivities along with very old Turkish traditions.  We were very happy that our trip coincided with this important occasion.  Harika!  Kutlu olsun!

Ozge and Ali - may your life together be long and happy!