Our final stop on this wonderful, whirlwind trip was the city of Konya, a somewhat modern and economically strong city of 800,000. In route we stopped at another kervansaray (where trade caravans would stay the night in ancient times). This kervansaray is architecturally beautiful, with both covered and uncovered areas and a section where the animals were kept. It is all empty now, of course, but shadows danced through the rooms and pigeons flew gracefully in the rafters. If you were quiet enough, you could almost here the bustle of donkeys and carts and the chatter of men discussing theirs trades so many centuries ago.

Once in Konya, we visited the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaledin Rumi, who began the theological school that was home to the Whirling Dervishes. No dervishes were in sight that day but there were throngs of Mevlavi followers both inside and outside the mausoleum paying their respects.

To close out my time with you, let me say that this was an amazing journey through one of the most incredible countries in the world. I hope you have enjoyed this BLOG and will share it with others, and I hope you have learned things you didn’t know about Turkey and its many faces and places.

If you are not familiar with my organization, the International Affairs Council, I encourage you to visit our web site and consider getting involved: www.iacnc.org.

All best!