A little Turkish Delight

As the majority of our stone comes form Turkey we thought we’d share a few typically Turkish thoughts/pictures/sayings with you. We will also eventually add stories about where our stone has actaully come from and the history behind it. For now, here are a few pictures from North Cyprus.

 North Cyprus is so picturesque. It has thousands of hills and valleys and beautiful landscapes to see.

It’s not untypical to see goats climbing the hills or being chased by their owners. They often jump out into the road. This picture was taken as I leant out the window of a car so you can see how close they get.

This is Halle Sultan, it’s actually on the south side (Greek) of the island. It has recently been renovated. It’s typical to see mosques on the Turkish side and you can hear the call for prayer 5 times a day.

Donkeys can be found roaming free at the tip of the island- on the way to Kalpuz. They have a sanctuary up there and you can reach the actual tip of the island.

Belly dancers can be found at many typical Turkish nights. Men often get very excited and tuck money into her costume.

This is a beautiful flower, when the name of it is translated it means ‘ One night bride’ as it grows for 364 days of the year and only opens once. I was lucky enough to see it open- it actually gets much bigger than this but the flash affects it when it’s too open so this is in the first stages. It’s name stems from the fact that you are only a bride once, and you come out in all your glory, but then the flower dies the same night. By morning it wilts and begins the process all over again.

These are an edible flower that grows on marrows. You have to get up really early to pick them as when they see then sunlight they begin to close. You have to wash them out quickly, then put them in the fridge. You can see ladies wondering the villages carrying big bunches of them. You then stuff them with uncooked rice, tomato puree, onion, flat leaf parsely, helim and salt and pepper. You fold down the leaves and then squash them all tightly into a pan. You sit them in water and boil until it’s all drained away. You’re left with a tasty snack called ‘Cicek Dolma’. Delicious.

Loads more pictures and turksh things to come.