Listening to Türküler while watching Konya

 

Today I watched Konya as I walked around the city streets, listening to music, and while sitting 42 stories above it, watching all the motion of its people on a busy Friday afternoon. I was reminded of how much I enjoy the city, and the beauty of motion. 'Telli Turnam',by Izzet Yıldızhan, 'I Plan to Stay a Believer' by Curtis Mayfield, 'Gone Baby Don'be Long' by Erykah Badu, and 'Üflediler Söndüm' by Olgun Şimşek were some of my walking tunes, and they help shape my energy for the day. After many weeks of running hard to work, today was a good reset of my focus. Now I want to get off of this machine and practice my bağlama. What will you do to enjoy life today? --mjf 18:06 hrs Friday, Meram YeniYol.

Atlanta to Frankfurt to Konya

 
Our trip from Atlanta to Frankfurt to Konya was long but enjoyable. It is good to see the students again, and I hope this year is a marvelous one!

Toumani Diabate was marvelous in Konya.

 

During the Mystic Music Festival in Konya, Turkey, September, 2010, Aundreta and I got to meet and hear the performance of the magnificent Toumani Diabate, internationally-recognized Kora player, and we were thrilled to listen to him. He is a 71st-generation musician, and his energy is marvelous.

Summer at Kozaağaç Park in Konya

 

Aundreta loves it when she sees people fanning the coals for the mangal (barbeque grill). I caught this shot as a surprise for her.

Summer here is hot, but when the sun goes down, some beautiful cooling happens. That's very different from Atlanta, where the days and nights have the same temperature -- TOO HOT!

I do miss Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta, though. Our park here is quite nice, well-trafficked, and very flat. Easy to take in the whole vista at once!

July, 31st, on Aundreta's birthday.

Konya's TramWay: A Day in the Life

 



It's summertime. I am making my way around town with as much enthusiasm that the heat will allow. I do like the option of taking the tram around town; the time to sit (if foot traffic is not too heavy) and read is wonderful. In June I took this photo while I had a moment, and I think I captured most of the atmosphere of the tram, although I didn't catch anyone staring at me trying to figure out where I was from. The best part about the city heat is that it dissipates so quickly when the sun goes down. (July 2010)--mjf

Near Konya Valliliği: My Town is Busy

 

Konya is a great place. Here, in the City Center (Şehir Merkezi) I am taking a brief moment on the date of the photo to look towards Mevlana, and the effects of that presence in this place.

The Green Turbeh in the distance is Mevlana's resting place, physically at least. We hope also he walks in your thoughts and in your heart.

This busy day also saw a lot of traffic, and the entrance to the Gold Bazaar was full of people. You can see a tiered entrance that goes underneath the main level of the city.

I am standing across from the City Hall (what Valliliği means in English) and I am near a camii whose name I forget at the moment, but is near the City Square.

Day in the life: KulturPark, Konya, Turkiye

 

Meeting Hasan Genç as I learn the Bağlama

 

My friend Ertuğrul was very kind to me the other evening. He gets together with many of his musician friends and plays Turkish Sanat Music and Halk Musik. His teacher, Mithat Bey, was excellent in his display of skill and passion about the oud. Also, I met Ömer Bey, Servet Ağabey, and Hasan Genç. They played some wonderful songs--many of which I am learning now. Servet Agabey was even kind enough to give me a book of halkmusik lyrics. Not only with speed and accuracy, and love for the music, but a great joy in creating an atmosphere like this for each other.

Many thanks to all the great men who assembled for this uplifting time. I needed it. NOW, I know I have to practice, because they asked me to come back! Maybe I can try out that bass bağlama I am holding in the photo.

Beyazit Mahallesi, today, in the neighborhood.

 
Looking at our mountain in the city street. Sunny and cool, I just came from a great meal with my wife. Breakfast after her class. Wonderful idea!

What I see when I am in Konya

 

I enjoy simple things. I was wanting to be creative one afternoon before class, so I went up to the top of Kulesite to think -- and I saw this view. Sharing it with you will generate some sense of the visual poetry of the place where I am now, and maybe just seeing it will take you somewhere nice, too.

Reflections on Konya, time and experience

 

I remember.

That is the beginning of a photo in the mind, tempered with time, and softened with distance. This photo in my mind includes scents of grasses on the wind, feeling of heavy legs walking uphill, tastes of recently-downed tea, moistened lips, and a sense of openness that Cappadocia brought to me with such immediacy.

Being married and living internationally is a learning experience.

We have so many friends who are so good to us (me-Michael; &-Aundreta) and teach us good things about ourselves. Sevilay, Aundreta's student, loves her so much and is so inspired by Aundreta's story. We had a meal together before her trip to Gaziantep, where she is now teaching. Such a kind heart--and very artistic. One thing she showed us was the vase she had designed. The detail was so delicate and beautiful. I mention that to bring my thoughts to this: We have an opportunity to build something like that ourselves with this relationship--the metaphysical version of a vase, to hold something beautiful, to decorate with experiences, and to cook in a kiln to make it strong and durable.

Doing that abroad is difficult, but so strengthening.

Feb 17 2010 in Zafer in front of Ince Minare

 

I had the most wonderful baglama practice. The song was so difficult, like a puzzle to me, but I mastered it somewhat. I left my instrument to be restringed, and then I walked back to get ready for my afternoon students. This was a shot in front of Ince Minare I hadn't considered before, so I am glad I stopped to take it.

Allah Hu!

 
Going to Sema (the service for the Whirling Dervishes), I met one of the Semazen (Dervishes) at Erdogan Bey's Ceramic Shop near the Culture Center. We really made a good pair. He was so peaceful.

For those who are learning, "Huu" is the sound of the breath when the Semazen are putting their minds at peace. I learned today (Jan 06 2010) that the Semazen consider the energy that moves them the Divine Fire, and they dance because of the energy of that fire burning through them. It brings new understanding for me about the phrase by Rumi, talking about burning: "There are three ways to understand fire:--to hear about it, to see it, and to be burned by it." The "Huu" is also a greeting they use for each other. It is soft, and in the throat.

'Allah Huu' is the title of several songs, some from here, one that springs to my mind is from Pakistan, by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Look it up sometime. Beautiful spiritual piece.

Man on Camii Dome--musings on my favorite places

 

I love that I can see sights like this one. The time we spent today seeing some American young filmmakers who have to leave this wonderful place, and it reminded us that we have been very blessed to be here in Konya and seeing Turkey-at-large for such a time. The tears in the visitors' eyes and those of the Turkish friends that they met while they were here made me grieve for my own departure, whether it be permanent or only (insha'llah) just a good long visit with family before we return to learn and share more.