Issue date: 3/11/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Dr. Rod Miller

Ever wondered what baklava really is? Here is your chance to find out: Dr. Rod Miller, professor of art history, is planning a two-week trip to Turkey for next year. The best part is that the participants have a major say in what they will do while in Turkey, but no matter what they decide to do, they will have a great tour guide.

Miller spent a year teaching English in Turkey 18 years ago. He returned with a group of Hendrix students for the study abroad program in 2003. As such an experienced guide, he claims he is competent enough to know "when the carpet sellers are ripping you off." He is extremely enthusiastic about returning to the country and is more than willing to talk about it to anyone interested in attending.

Turkey is the middle ground between the East and the West, between Asia and Europe. Miller plans on arriving in Istanbul near the beginning of June in 2006. The travelers will catch all of the historical sites on the "classic tours of the city," including the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar where Miller suggests buying carpets and leather jackets for much cheaper than in the US.

He also wants to visit one of the great wonders of the world: Sofia, the 1,500 year old domed church. The group will walk through the historic streets and neighborhoods and visit the 29th century palaces and mosques. Dr. Miller's only worry is that they will have to choose a limited number of activities from the "million and one things to do in Istanbul."

The only problem about leaving Istanbul is deciding where to go next. The group will have to travel by bus, but Dr. Miller describes European buses as "much nicer than the ones here in America. Their bus is like our airplane, with bathrooms and food and comfortable seats."

The group will head to Ankara, the capitol city, to visit the famous archaeological museum there and also to Ephesus, that "amazing place on the coast." They will also see the famous World War I battle site at Dardanelles and the "ancient city" of Aphrodesias. They will then move on to explore the calcium formations and mineral deposits at Tamukale and travel through the city of Konya where the dancing Dervishes are from. The lucky sightseers will also travel to Cappadocia to wonder at the "unusual rock dwellings that people scooped out to make their houses," Miller excitedly explained.

Of course, Miller explains that the group will decide exactly where they want to go and what they want to see, but he does know that they will fly into Istanbul and stay for a few days and then gradually make their way east across the country, stopping to see the sites on the way.

Continued...

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