Ayas, ancient village on the Silk Road
Trip Start
Aug 15, 2007
1
16
91
Trip End
Jun 01, 2012
Ayas, Turkey
Sunday, June 22, 2008
After reaching the top of yet another hill climb on our drive to her house, we drove down a steep road into a narrow valley... entering into a small village wedged into a fertile valley... dropping out of sight from anyone located on the hills and plateaus above... Most of the ancient settlements in Turkey were chosen for their strategic purposes... as was Ayas... We parked the van in the central square and called Selma... within minutes she and her son, Soren arrived, as did her sisters with a nephew and niece in tow... We were soon emerged in the traditional greetings of friends... a kissing on both cheeks... Aidan was particularly immersed in multiple kisses and cheek pinching... due mainly to his long blonde hair... The Turks love blonde hair... and Aidan has grown quite a striking mop over the last few months... as his refusals to chop it has left his parents telling him that as the heat of summer kicks in... he will eventually be running to the barber shop...
Aidan's cute face and blonde hair has given him an almost rock star status in Turkey... wherever we go people stare, smile and try to rub his head or pinch his cheeks... His sixth sense has been heightened by all of this activity... and he will often position his cheeks in hard to grab positions when the "Cheek Pinchers" get too close...
A quick drive up to a small ridge overlooking the village brought us to the Coban family home... as we parked the van, Selma told us that the street in front of their house was the section of the silk road that passed through their town... Nothing seems to be without a link to the ancients within this country...
Our time spent with Selma and her family was filled with lively conversations... excellent fresh food... walks to the local store to buy ice cream... hiking the surrounding hills... eating fresh cherries... sharing of our lives... all serenaded by the sounds of our children laughing and playing together...
