Midas tomb and sites of Turkey

One of our members took us on an outing today. It was so good to get out of the city and to see the country a little bit. She took us to see the "Tomb of King Midas". He is the legendary king that whenever he touched something it would turn to gold. It was a great time.

The entrance to the tomb with Meric, she is our branch interpreter. Great gal.

This is the entrance to inside the hill where the tomb is.

Behind us are the gates to this ancient city where King Midas lived. The path we are on goes down quite a ways to these gates. They are very tall. I stood there and could just image carts and horses, and armored guards going through the gates


I put this one in so you could see that Du has not changed at all. He had us stop so he could take some pics of these huge fields of sunflowers that were just about ready to drop their seeds. I really enjoy this side of Du. It is fun to see what catches his eyes for pics. Now the video camera...that is another story

We visited this organization. He wants to set up a program that is very much like the DI. We have asked that he be able to visit the DI sometimes. Turkey does not have anything like selling your couches or craigs list or garage sales. He wants to pick up old furniture, refurbish and sell it. They would train the handicap while allowing them to earn income at the same time. After training they would help them find jobs in industry. Sound familiar.
He also wants to train the handicap in making wooden toys like the ones we are holding. This province is also going to do away with plastic shopping bags. So the bag he is holding is the prototype he is going to have them make and sell.

We have provided this organization with several canes for the blind. We are now going to provide them with several computers. University students are donating their time to teach and train the handicap on the computers which will enable them to use the computer to apply for jobs, and to get jobs using their newly acqured computer skills.

We just finished funding our first project and it has been delivered. It is for a kindergarten in a poor area. We will have a ceremony with the newspaper (hopefully) and will send you pics of this. We are very excited.

This is pic of a cart and horse just mosying along in major traffic. The one car slowed down so I could get this pic.

Every morning this man goes up and down the hills calling out to see if anyone wants water. They signal from their balconies and he runs it up to them. Very cool. Takes a lot of strength I think.

I have heard this little guy every morning since we have been here and finally saw him. He sells Turkey's version of little bagels and goes up and down the streets calling out. He does it in the most melodic voice. I haven't ventured to buy one yet, but he sure sounds great.

Inside a mall that is close to us. Another example of how modern some things are compared to things that are not. You can find it all here. Duard's expression is "modern medival".

Ataturk Mausoleum

Ataturk to Turkey, is like Lincoln to the US. He was very instrumental in bringing them into a more modern world. Everywhere you go here in Ankara, there are monuments to him, buildings named for him, and the main highway close to us is called Ataturk Blvd. This first pic is of the walkway leading up to the mausoleum. They really do love him here. So this is a crypt and a museum about him and their war of Independence.

We learned to use the Subway this day and had quite a great time learning more about how to get around without a car. The view is through the columns at the crypt and is a pretty good view of a portion of Ankara. Off in the distance you can see the spires to the Mosque - it is close to where we live. The soldiers did the changing of the guard ceremony every hour.


The Hittites were one of the ancient people who lived here. These stags in this formation were their symbol and is now Ankara's symbol. Ankara got its name from the Angora goat. The wool from the goats angora became famous. The people here have a great love for their ancient history.

These three pics are of where our little branch meets. Du is teaching our prospective missionary some things about the Priesthood. The podium is near them and sacrament table is off to the right.

Next to the sacrament table is the table with the CD player for our hymns. I am the chief button pusher here. I have had some challenges getting the right songs on sometimes, and then the numbers for the hymns up in Turkish and in English.

Du is doing a great job communicating with everyone in the different languages and manages to teach great lessons and give awesome tender talks.

This is from the podium looking back at the congregation. Our meetings last from 1 1/2 hours to two hours. Our High councilman speakers are the conference talks. The Turkish speaking members listen in Du's office and the English listen in the chapel room. My duties include speaking or teaching every Sunday, janitor, branch clerk, etc. Du has the same jobs adding to it Branch President and not understanding the language. it is a challenge at times, but there is no denying the enormity of the spirit in our meetings. We love our little branch and the members are amazing.