October 17 - Sunday - Sinop, Turkey

We began to see Sinop on the horizon about 6:30 this morning. The port at Sinop is long, so it took us a while to come completely in and dock. Starboard is dockside today, so I was able to watch them bring the boat in, tie it up, lower the gangway, and see the Captain or the Hotel Manager (I think they are about the same rank, and I don't know who is who when I see them) go down the gangway to be officially welcomed by the Sinop representative.

Officially arriving in Sinop

Welcome to Sinop


Watching our docking and the official greeting is fun for me. Coming into port is always something I look forward to seeing (and I don't think I missed even one during our journey this trip).

Our tour was short today, but it was very, very good. We first stopped at what was once a private home in the 18th and 19th centuries, the home of someone fairly wealthy, I'm sure. The stop was optional for our tour guide, and it wasn't listed in our program, so it was a bonus for us, and very well done.

The home consists of four stories, three above ground and a fourth "fully finished basement," which was quite large.



Home of a wealthy family in the 18-19th centuries



Entrance

Each room was mocked up to look as it might have looked when it was occupied.



Interior view - perhaps main family area

 Then we went a short distance to the Archaeologial Museum of Sinop. The Museum is small and easily absorbed, with each room devoted to a theme.

This particular fresco is of the Archangle Michael slaying Satan, and it was in an area devoted to icons and frescos. I didn't know Michael slayed Satan ... but nonetheless, I loved the work.


Michael slaying Satan

Of particular interest to me was that there were English translations for most of the exhibits (wherever we went today).


Ancient glass bottles

 These people were prepared for Americans and others who speak English. It's the first place we've been where anyone has gone to this much trouble. I really appreciated it.
The outside of the museum is filled with gravestones, pieces of columns, arches, and other artifacts found during various digs.


Displays outside the museum

I had never heard of Sinop before we came here, but it has quite a history as a strategic trading location for thousands of years - yes, even in the BC era. Greeks, Romans, then Ottomans have conquored and occupied this place, and each has left its mark on the culture.

Next, we went to the Alaaddin mosque. We were allowed again to take no-flash pictures. This mosque was built under the Seljuk influence and, as such, does not have a prominent central dome. It's a beautiful mosque, and the lighting was wonderful for no-flash pictures.



The speakers platform

 As a textile enthusiast, I am always interested in the carpets. They are specially woven so that those who come to pray know exactly where their positions are and how to face Mecca. This carpet was particularly interesting, with each position separated not only horizontally, but vertically, with a temple-like shape pointing to Mecca.


Detail of carpet

I also liked the subdued colors. The mosque shown with a kind of golden light. We were left to roam about the huge area as we wished - but only in the men's area. I asked if I could go up the stairs and see where the women prayed, but I was told "No, that's the women's area." Because I don't share their cultural practices, I'm not sure of the significance, especially since I am a woman, too. I thought I might be allowed to go.


Women's area in the balcony

After the mosque, we went across the street to what was formerly the Pervane Medressah, which is now a handicraft center. Typical tourist goods are sold there, by private vendors, so I wasn't particularly interested except in one store the government runs which showcases local needlecraft work. I purchased a small woven table cloth there, one small enough to hang on our walls. I am always interested in something another woman has made with her hands (these cloths weren't machine manufactured). In our short tour this morning, lasting no more than three hours, we were treated twice with Turkish refreshments. They were yummy.


Wonderful snack, Turkish style

When we arrived back at the ship, the sun had come out, of course. It's a beautiful afternoon here. People on board (there are very few who are younger than 55) are running around in shorts (males and females), laying by the pool sleeping in lounge chairs, soaking in the jacuzzi, and milling about everywhere.

As we look out over our verandah, we can see that all Sinop has come out too, to walk the promenade at the end of the port, or to sail the beautiful blue sea.


A beautiful Sunday afternoon in Sinop



Sailing, sailing - a sunny Sinop Sunday

The ship's crew is working inside and outside on the boat, too. As I came in my room after lunch, I saw water pouring down onto our verandah from above ...


Swab the decks, Mate!

It gives new meaning to "swab the decks, Mate!"

Tonight, we are fortunate to be invited, along with two or three other couples, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of another couple's fifth date. How sweet it is. We will join them for supper, singing, cake, and champagne at 8:00. They have asked each of us to bring a few words of advice for a long relationship.

Shipboard friendships happen, and they're very nice, a jewel of the moment.
Tomorrow, Sevastapol, Ukraine, then a day at sea, and then Ephesus, our last stop in Turkey. This is not the Turkey I heard about in my youth. This is a kinder, gentler Turkey, a democratic Republic where more people have a chance. It's not perfect, but no where is. Life is always work, governments are always suspect, but the odds are a bit more even when the the light shines.

Tomorrow, Sevastable, Ukraine.

Our flickr Sinop pictures: Sinop