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.