Because
of the length and depth of its history, all tour guides in Turkey have to have
a university education. On top of that, Insight Vacations is very fussy in
their choice of tour directors, and we’re appreciating the result of that:
Barcin is excellent. Military history, architecture, Greek myths, religion,
languge, traditions, economy, education and even circumcision – it’s all been
detailed, illuminating, interesting and a good way to pass the time on the
road.
That’s
not to say there hasn’t been snoozing too. It’s a comfortable coach with ample
leg-room, and we’re all still recovering from Anzac Day. It was good to get
some fresh air and exercise at Pergamon, a gondola ride up a hill to the
Acropolis, with long views of an aqueduct, and the steepest amphitheatre I’ve
ever seen. “There will be an abundance of ancient pillars,” Barcin told us, and
he wasn’t wrong: they were everywhere, upright and lying artistically in the
grass, decorated with poppies. Some of the best stuff, as at other sites, is
now in museums elsewhere – Berlin, Vienna, Boston, London – having been
appropriated by archeologists, but there was still plenty to see.
We’re
on a well-beaten tourist path, and it’s particularly busy at the moment with
Kiwis and Aussies over here for Gallipoli, so the stall-holders were really
going for it: “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Best price here! Cheaper than K-Mart!”
Bit wearing after a while.

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