Turkish Food & Culture Festival

Before I met my now-husband, I hadn’t the faintest clue about Turkey. Yes, I knew it was a country somewhere across the ocean, but I knew it better as part of a Thanksgiving feast…

I thought Greek people invented baklava and Ottoman was a type of decorative furniture. Little did I know Turkey was a country full of rich culture, history, and pretty much the origin of all great Mediterranean cuisine. Blessed with amazingly fertile soil, Turkey yields an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, along with amazing seafood from the shore.

A few days ago me, Mr. Bear, and our friend Gurkan met up at the Turkish Festival, or as I call it, Yummy Food Festival! Of course, the cultural aspects weren’t bad either.

They had tons of huge structures that were impressions of buildings and historical monuments of the region…

Along with beautiful cultural artwork…

Even mini replicas you could take home as souvenirs!

Look at this setup of typical Turkish beaches! Too bad there was no actual water…

Or was there? Just kidding. The backdrop was actually a HUGE picture of the view of the Bosphorus Strait. Someday I would love to take a picture right by the real thing! For now, this will suffice.

Incredible hand blown glass by a skilled craftsman. He was making stuff right on the spot! If I wasn’t so busy snapping photos, I would have remembered to bring one home. Oops!

I especially love these bright ladybugs. See how perfectly adorable they are?

A vendor willingly poses for a photo. I have no idea what this man was trying to sell. We were standing there for a while trying to figure out how these colorful thingies were supposed to fit on an actual human being…

I think he came pretty close.

Samples of work from skilled calligraphers. They can even make “Eddie McPerson” look like some royal document!

Presentations of Turkish folk dance were in order.

It was very interesting- sometimes slow, sometimes quick, lots of jumping and kicking. At some point a short, dumpy looking man came out and did some Kung Fu-looking moves to Turkish music, which made me giggle. I’m pretty sure Bear mumbled something about foreigners not appreciating true art. Apparently it’s a very technically skilled dance. Once again, oops.

There were beautiful women dressed in amazing costumes scattered all over the festival. I couldn’t help wanting to offer to swap clothes. No fair! I want that dress!

This chef was teaching people how to cook Turkish food. I know, I should have gone to watch. But I was too busy. Being lured by this sign…

Yup, it got me. Funny thing is, only afterward did I realize that I took no pictures of the food. None. I was too busy eating it!

Souvenirs of the Van Cat- a special Turkish breed of meowers with two different color eyes- one blue, one green. The entire breed has these eyes, which are amazing to look at.

Our buddy Gurkan and his friend- one of them was nice enough to get me a Turkish ice cream cone- which was unlike any type of ice cream I had ever eaten. Less creamy, more …chewy? Thanks Gurkan’s friend!

The festivities come to a close with a visit to the Ottoman King. Right before this picture, these impertinent boys had the audacity to plop down right next to the King on his royal chair. They were promptly deterred by castle guards with very sharp daggers. I think they got the hint.

Overall it was a fun time. I’m sure it hardly compares to the real thing, but it was a good sampler!