We just got home from some amazing sites! We ventured out to Sanliurfa and Harran. These are cities which use to part of Mesopotamia. We crossed over the Euprhates River on the way. Quick history lesson: Sanluirfa is the home to the Prophet Abraham and Job. We were able to go and see the cave that Abraham was born in and hid out in for 7 years. We also went to a different site to see Job's cave. According to the Muslim religion, when Abraham was being burned by the King Nimrod, due to trying to stop people from worshipping wooden Gods, he was thrown into a pit of fire. Abraham prayed and God turned the fire to water and coals into fish. Therefore, surrounding the cave is a pond of fish. The Muslims believe it you kill one of these fish, you will go blind. Also, if you are able to find a white one, you will be saved. Kenzie claimed she found a white fish. Needless to say, these are some spoiled chunky fish. :)
We also ventured into Harran, references to Harran are in Genesis. It is the oldest living city on the Earth. Many of the homes have mud roofs and it is famous for the "beehive homes." These homes existed 2,000 years ago. We toured inside and dressed in traditional clothing, just for fun.
We also went to a place that is currently being excavated. It is the oldest known religious structure in the world. It is said to be over 12,000 years old!!! That is truly mind boggling. Expect to see this place as one of the 7 wonders of the world in the future. It has levels, layers, carvings, etc... This is before the time of pottery, metal, etc... This is prior the stone ages. Crazy!!!
We saw amazing castles and fortress in this Mesopotamia area. We saw beautiful mosques. Everything was still Turkish, but with more of an Middle Eastern flavour. We were literally 10 minutes from Syria. We drove to one of the borders and took pictures! Yes- maybe we are crazy.
We had a wonderful time with our good friends the Carpenters. All the kids had friends and Michael knows more about history than anyone. :) Oh- Linda and I had to cover our head to enter the mosques and avoid some of the stares. Thus, all the pictures with scarves. Turkey is an amazing country. No where in the world will you see sites so authentic and old!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sanliurfa and Harran
Posted by Wilson Family at 11:24 AM
Labels: Sanliurfa and Harran
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5 comments:
WOW....I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE ADVENTURING OUT MORE AND SEEING THE COUNTRY.
YOU LOOK SO SHEK...ISH..HOW MANY OIL WELLS DO YOU HAVE?!!!!! ANGIE AND THE GIRLS ARE BEAUTIFUL.
THIS IS SUCH A GOOD SUBJECT WHEN YOU COME HOME YOU AND ANGIE CAN GIVE A FIRESIDE. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!!
okay, okay. i totally forgive you for not coming over since it looks like you had a really great time :) we still need to hang out though!!!
Awsome!i bet the kids loved the hiking and running around, i know mine would.
Thanks for sharing all of those pics, it probably took forever to download.
That is just incredible! It really puts in perspective the time thing huh? Our mere 80-90 years here on earth are just nothing. I'm so happy you get to see so many awe inspiring things!!
love you guys!
Oh Ang, you are seriously hot in your authentic clothes :) Now maybe you can use them for Halloween instead of my all time favorite... the gypsy :) hahaha It looks like you guys had a lot of fun. And I am all for having you guys do a fireside here in Meadow when you come home ;) Love ya!
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