My World: Along the Silk Route.

[fahim mohammed]

Recently I took my grandkids to Turkey on an educational tour. Fun thrown in as a bonus.

We took the route followed by Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece. Our intention was to follow the silk route of old, seeing the resting place of Noah's Ark, Abraham's birthplace, the mountain of Namrud. However a severe back ailment for me shortened the trip.

However we did manage to follow most of our plan except the east/south east of Turkey.

This was a trip to show the children places of folklore and of historical facts. To show the confluence of different cultures. How different, yet how similar. To show them the mistakes of the past. To talk to them about the consequences of greed. To show them the cemetaries of the WW.

And as always, talking to and hearing the stones. The stones that speak to me of pre-historic times and the times of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The Greeks, the Romans. The World travelers and traders of old. Those that traveled by land and by sea.

This then is a documentary of their travel. Most of the images are theirs. Their journal and narratives shall be at my site when ready. I shall start of with my grand daughter and what she thought of her holiday...

And on to the silk route..

 

[Asher Kelman]

Recently I took my grandkids to Turkey on an educational tour. Fun thrown in as a bonus.

We took the route followed by Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece. Our intention was to follow the silk route of old, seeing the resting place of Noah's Ark, Abraham's birthplace, the mountain of Namrud. However a severe back ailment for me shortened the trip.

However we did manage to follow most of our plan except the east/south east of Turkey.

This was a trip to show the children places of folklore and of historical facts. To show the confluence of different cultures. How different, yet how similar. To show them the mistakes of the past. To talk to them about the consequences of greed. To show them the cemetaries of the WW.

And as always, talking to and hearing the stones. The stones that speak to me of pre-historic times and the times of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The Greeks, the Romans. The World travelers and traders of old. Those that traveled by land and by sea.

This then is a documentary of their travel. Most of the images are theirs. Their journal and narratives shall be at my site when ready. I shall start of with my grand daughter and what she thought of her holiday...

This, Fahim, is a wonderful experience for your family and will create a major sinew of connection between you and this new generation. Sorry about your back problem. That can be a real PIA and a drag!

And on to the silk route..

Reminds me of my trip ten years back. Did you do any travel in the West of Turkey and get to Ephesus? The memorials to the Aussies and Kiwis who died in WWI are there on the way back to Istanbul.

How far East did you go?

Asher

 

[fahim mohammed]

The sea of Marmara. The smallest sea in the world. Hugely important though. The Agean and the Med sea are accessible through Marmara from the Black sea. Via the Bosphorus strait.

We travel ovet the Marmara sea, with expensive properties behind on the shores, heading into
the Bosphorus. In search of our ' Golden Fleece '.

The rush hour begins as we approach the Bosphorus. Cruise ships ( we came to know that 10,000
visitors had arrived on multiple cruise ships that day..visitors from Asia..to Istanbul ).

We sail on..as Jason and the Argonauts must have done..without the Minarets visible on the shoreline...

 

[fahim mohammed]

Thanks Asher.

We went as far as Trabzon in the North-east. By plane! I was unable to drive for long.
Skipping through the narrative, I took the kids to Gallipoli.

I explained to them about the campaign. I showed them the cemetaries. The lines of the dead.
I told them about the reasons for the battles there.

I told them about the British and the French. About the Australians and the New Zealand forces.
I told them about the Axis Powers.

I told them about the last days of the Ottoman Empire. I told them about the Turkish dead, defending their land.

We walked through the rows of graves, tombstones in the heat. As the soldiers fought and died
in the sweltering heat of 1915.

I told them about the Turkish casualties. About why there is no 57th regiment in the Turkish armed forces. In honor of the 57th regiment that fought there during the Gallipoli campaign and suffered heavy casulties.

I told them about the half a million human beings dead and injured.

I told them about a Turkish Commander that fought in that campaign. His name was Mustafa
Kemal Attaturk. And I told them about the birth of modern day Turkey.

I do not photograph cemetaries. Respect for the dead.

The stones tell the tale..to those who can listen.

 

[fahim mohammed]

I took them to Ephesus. To show them about the outreach of mighty empires..The Greeks and the Romans.

The Greek goddesses...

And the Roman Governors...

But most important of all I showed and told them about the stones. The stories they tell. The stories of past glories and defeats. And what remains of them..

 

[Joachim Bolte]

Beautifull pictures, very nice to look at. Although one remark (that I have made before on your pictures as I recall), I think they are overly contrasty and sharpened excessively, and the artefacting that causes makes the pictures seem very harsh. For me, that takes away quite a bit of the attention from the beauty of the composition and the subject of the picture.

Could be that it works out just fine when you print these, but for web display I would say it is too much...

Nontheless, very nice pictures!

 

[fahim mohammed]

Joachim, a big thank you for stopping by. And bigger one for pointing out the issues in my images.

I agree. They are contrasty and overly sharpened. I shall tune down these two parameters as I
go along.

Best regards.

Beautifull pictures, very nice to look at. Although one remark (that I have made before on your pictures as I recall), I think they are overly contrasty and sharpened excessively, and the artefacting that causes makes the pictures seem very harsh. For me, that takes away quite a bit of the attention from the beauty of the composition and the subject of the picture.

Could be that it works out just fine when you print these, but for web display I would say it is too much...

Nontheless, very nice pictures!

 

[fahim mohammed]

We are amongst the silk and carpet weavers. Along the silk route.

The traders from far away lands, the caravans of horses, mules, camels as they sell the stuff that they have brought and buy the stuff ( such as carpets ) as they wind their way towards the east and north east into Asia. Into Samarkand. Through the cities whose names are associated with
mystery and fables. Into Manchuria and onto the cities of China.

Cultures, beliefs, people and most importantly ideas crossing borders.

 

[fahim mohammed]

I have mentioned and maintain that the essence of any place is its people.

Turkey, without reservation, has the warmest, friendliest and most gracious people one can come
into contact anywhere.

From the big cities to the roads in the countrysides. We were greeted as friends.

Along the silk route travesing fertile lands the generosity and welcome from the local farming communities we experienced cannot be conveyed in words.

Arrived as tourists and left as members of a family. I cannot thank my new found friends enough.

Familis we shared bread with. Families whose took us in and went out of their way to make us feel at home.

To them all, a big big thank you.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Everyone, if they can. should do this trip. It's magnificent, awe inspiring and humbling. Who would have imagined at those long ago "modern times" that their great achievements would be seen in ruins for tourists of a future epoch?

Your window on the Turks is just right. The battles they fought were the most terrible. bullets actually hit bullets and fused in mid-air!

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

We are amongst the silk and carpet weavers. Along the silk route.

The traders from far away lands, the caravans of horses, mules, camels as they sell the stuff that they have brought and buy the stuff ( such as carpets ) as they wind their way towards the east and north east into Asia. ............

.........Turkey, without reservation, has the warmest, friendliest and most gracious people one can come
into contact anywhere.

From the big cities to the roads in the countrysides. We were greeted as friends.

Arrived as tourists and left as members of a family. I cannot thank my new found friends enough.

Familis we shared bread with. Families whose took us in and went out of their way to make us feel at home.

To them all, a big big thank you.

Fahim,

I especially love these last two pictures, the wares in a store and the warm and beautiful smiles of the ordinary people. The colors of the first and diverse origins represent the patchwork of cultures in modern as well as ancient Turkey. The picture of the woman and child, perhaps, mother and daughter, is a superb portrait. The pose of the woman is especially graceful and confident. I'd love to see these last two combined somehow, if that were possible, perhaps in B&W. They sum up the essence of the people; hardworking, open and friendly.

Asher

 

[Michael Nagel]

This is on the way to become an inspirational journey and series. There is not much to add for me, just the hope that in the future more people will have learned to start with the common points when meeting a stranger rather than stressing the differences as there is only one place where people can really meet: The common ground.

Best regards and a safe journey,
Michael

 

[fahim mohammed]

Everyone, if they can. should do this trip. It's magnificent, awe inspiring and humbling. Who would have imagined at those long ago "modern times" that their great achievements would be seen in ruins for tourists of a future epoch?

Your window on the Turks is just right. The battles they fought were the most terrible. bullets actually hit bullets and fused in mid-air!

Asher

Fahim,

I especially love these last two pictures, the wares in a store and the warm and beautiful smiles of the ordinary people. The colors of the first and diverse origins represent the patchwork of cultures in modern as well as ancient Turkey. The picture of the woman and child, perhaps, mother and daughter, is a superb portrait. The pose of the woman is especially graceful and confident. I'd love to see these last two combined somehow, if that were possible, perhaps in B&W. They sum up the essence of the people; hardworking, open and friendly.

Asher

Asher, thank you for your encouragement and you insights. I cannot add more to those.

Best.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Michael, you are very generous. I am much obliged.

Yes, my friend, you have hit the nail on the head. Rather than the differences, if only we could find the
common values we share as a human race!!

Thank you very much for taking the time to comment.

This is on the way to become an inspirational journey and series. There is not much to add for me, just the hope that in the future more people will have learned to start with the common points when meeting a stranger rather than stressing the differences as there is only one place where people can really meet: The common ground.

Best regards and a safe journey,
Michael

 

[fahim mohammed]

I was traveling with my daughter and her kids. It was a joy. Their curiosity, the willingness to explore, their willingness to meet and engage people kept me on my toes.

The kids never let up with their questions. Their friendliness and capacity to make friends with strangers
was a constant reminder to me of someone that was not with us on this trip.

My wife, Ayesha, was otherwise busy with her new business venture back home.
But my grand daughter had borrowed two of her hats to bring along on the trip. Jadoo, she had said,
Nano shall be with us!!

And whenever she could she wore one of her grandmother's hats..

So like Ayesha, it was uncanny!

And the above for you Ayesha. Missing you so very much. You shall always be with me.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Back on the road. The little things that define a place. Taking the time to explore.

The architecture might be different, the fertile fields and valleys are from another
place. But for me, there was something very familiar. I was far away from home, yet not very far..

 

[fahim mohammed]

Dotted along the Silk Route are remnants ( some very well preserved ) of lodgings constructed by
town businessmen of old. Caravans meant business, hence the traveler's were lodged for free.

Nowadays, quite a few have been converted for modern day travelers..like me. Weary after a long flight and/or drive, they offer simple and exotic lodgings.

Inside of one of the caravan ' Saraiyas ' that we stayed in. Owned and run by a family for generations, I found this to be one of the best stays I have had..And I have stayed in many
' stars ' rated places around the world. No Jaques to serve me, but always friends gathering to eat together and share stories..

Simple places, simple people, for simple travelers. But the friendship and memories..unbeatable..

If you ever come this way, stay in one of these ' saraiyas ', make friends and experience what Turkey is all about.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Generally, a different pair of experienced eyes and/vision, can make a simple image super.

Asher has very generously worked on two images to combine them. They, much more than the originals, convey the essence of the place and the people of Turkey.

Thank you Asher.

 

[Don Ferguson Jr.]

Fahim , I enjoy seeing the photos you take in your journey and your creative photos are enhanced by your commentary .
Don

 

[fahim mohammed]

Fahim , I enjoy seeing the photos you take in your journey and your creative photos are enhanced by your commentary .
Don

Don, much appreciated sir.

Kindest regards.

 

[fahim mohammed]

My grandson and me have visited many places together. Listening and talking to stones.

Rome, Greece, Egypt, Jordan amongst them. I have visited many many more. Some in better times that these places are experiencing now.

Travel, I believe, is education. Much more so than what one reads in books. Experiments on the grandest scales by different cultures, faiths, people and their armies are found in History.

Reading history, and actually talking to the stones, that are the witness to that history, are two different and possibly reality inducing experiencs
500,000 human beings dead and injured. One can read about it. Or one can walk along the
rows upon rows of the graves. Of loved ones. Gone forever. Never to be in their lover's arms again. No voice that says ' ma or dad'. And no voice that shall say ' son, glad you dropped in '.


' I am Caesar, and I am Rome '. Or ' I, Alexander of Macedonia'. ' I am Nimrud ' your lord and king of the world'. Hindsight provides 20x20 vision. History provides the hindsight. We have to bring the vision...

' I am Caesar, master of all I survey '...

I picked up a small pebble and threw it back onto the stone rubble.

 

[fahim mohammed]

The Silk Route has always been a crossroad of diverse cultures. And the modern day Silk Trail
is no different.

Global marketing!! I am a Pepsi man myself.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Simple designs on the wall..

or even simpler..

 

[Michael Nagel]

or even simpler..

Comforting to see the Nazar - again. My mother had one...

Best regards,
Michael

 

[Asher Kelman]

Generally, a different pair of experienced eyes and/vision, can make a simple image super.

Asher has very generously worked on two images to combine them. They, much more than the originals, convey the essence of the place and the people of Turkey.

Thank you Asher.

Fahim,

I admit to have spawned the idea but you did the work of building the picture. I just contributed one small touch up above the girls hair. I do like the idea of putting together two parts of your journey, the honest openness of the people to strangers and the myriad of contributions to their culture and lifestyles.

Asher

 

[fahim mohammed]

Our combined effort led to a result which we both like. That's all that matters.

Regards.

Fahim,

I admit to have spawned the idea but you did the work of building the picture. I just contributed one small touch up above the girls hair. I do like the idea of putting together two parts of your journey, the honest openness of the people to strangers and the myriad of contributions to their culture and lifestyles.

Asher

 

[fahim mohammed]

Michael, here are two more!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Comforting to see the Nazar - again. My mother had one...

Best regards,
Michael

 

[fahim mohammed]

On the road again. The path that once must have seen merchants from distance lands is still there. Its form and structure changed. But its history remains..

The place where once the caravans rested. The owners would bring their animals to water and rest; while they stayed nearby.

The fertile valleys that travelers from the north, the south; from the west and the east must have crossed.

Many choose to remain. Long long time ago. The diversity of modern day Turkey!!

It indeed was the Silk Route. Weaving a thread of future generations to come.

We had further to travel. But we could not but watch and wonder in silence that which must have gone
before.

The setting sun highlighting the recent settlements where once must have lived and died those that traveled along this road. The Silk Road. We could not but just watch; our imagination transporting us
to an era in history.

 

[fahim mohammed]

We had played on the shores of the Black sea; maybe Jason landed here..

We made new friends, and wandered off into the field plucking peaches..

We had seen the remnants of civilizations past..

And we had re-lived the tales of the victories and defeats of the past..

And we had barely covered a minute distance along the fabled Silk Route.

It was time to to start our homeward journey. We headed towards Izmir.

We had one more place to see. Arguably the most important. Steeped in history. A city for which armies fought. Empires gambled their all. A city that is History itself. History of our times.

We had a flight to catch from Izmir; bound for Istanbul.

 

[fahim mohammed]

My back hurts. We have driven long and hard across some parts of Turkey. I have dropped of the car at Izmir airport. It is a busy, very busy airport. From Europe arrive planes in a continuous stream. Travelers heading to the beaches along some of the most magnificent coastline on earth.

We had a little time before our filght.

We carried little luggage but 4 ipads, 4 iphones, 1 canon rugged p&s, 1 kodak p&s, a Dlux-4 and my trusted M8 with its 28/75 cron asph lens combinations. Additionally, the kids carried 2 ' vita ' gaming machines!! Their chargers, spare sd cards made the bulk of our belongings. And, of course, my medication and some emergency travel meds.

Before the trip, I had spread a map of Turkey in front of the kids. They had memorized it. The countries that border Turkey. The seas. They could appreciate, at least my grandson, when I talked about Turkey's geostartegic importance throughout history.

Now that they had seen some of what we had talked about, they seemed more confident; much more so! Helen of Troy..in Turkey. Greece, behind that mountain and the small waterway! They understood why Turkish people in the north had different physical features than the ones in the south. Why the architecture of one region resembled the ones they had seen somewhere far away.

Why was it that the neolithic civilizations settled in Ephesus. They understood, as far as children
can, why many of those that came, choose to remain. Turkey was beautiful then; as it is today.

, Everybody came here ' Jadoo!! Yes. Indiviuals and Empires. They brought their languages, their cultures, their faiths, their science and their knowledge. And inevitably their weaknesses. Turkey was and remains at the crossroads of The western and eastern civilizations.

Modern day Turkey, as important today as it was in the past.

See and read todays news. Spread the map of Turkey. Spend sometime to study it. You shall be able to understand the reason of Turkey's geostartegic importance.

The flight is boarding. We collect our cabin luggage. We are heading to the late capitol of the Roman Empire. To a city that was built over a settlement called Byzantium. The Eastern Outreach
of the Roman emperor, Constantine. The wealthiest city in Europe of the Middle ages. Constantinopole.

Modern day Istanbul. Look at the map of Istanbul. A city unlike any other. A gateway that controls
access from the Black sea to the warm waters of the Med. Steeped in History. More relevant today than ever in the past.