The Rich and Varied History of my Current Home
Sometimes I just have to stop and think about where I really am in the world. Am I really living in the cradle of the civilized world, the breadbasket of civilization? It is one of the oldest inhabited regions on earth with structures dating back to 10,000 BC (only a few hundred miles from me).
It really is incredible to think of the cultures and
civilizations that have traveled through and lived in this land that I now call
home. Some of these groups include the Hattians, Hittites, Assyrians, Romans, Greeks, Turks and myself. The sheer
amount of history and historical landmarks in this country is astounding. It
has just become a daily part of life. When driving with my host family
across the country side we will pass ancient pillars and homes carved into
the mountainside. They don’t even think twice about it while I am sitting in
the back of the car having a melt down because every where I look I see an ancient structure.
My friend told me a few weeks ago after discussing
the amount history in this region that he never thought he would meet a foreigner with
such an interest in the history of his country. I was kind of taken back by this.Honestly, all people should
have a common interest in this region because from the dawn of mankind so many
cultures and groups of people have called this land home. I think that the diversity of Anatolia should unite and connect the civilizations that have claimed this land instead of create rifts.
Pamukkale and Hierapolis
I came to Turkey with the desire to explore many of
the ruins and sites of antiquity in this country. I had the great opportunity
of exploring the ruins of Hierapolis and the natural wonders of Pamukkale with
my host brother. Hierapolis-Pamukkale was made a world heritage site in 1988. Pamukkale's
terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the
hot springs. It has an incredible white cotton looking surface with warm water running
down it. (Hence the Turkish translation of Pamukkale: cotton castle) As we worked
our way up these white rock formations I was in absolute wonderment of the natural
beauty I was experiencing. When we reached the top of the white rock formations I was expecting this to be the extent of this UNESCO
World Heritage site. However I was very wrong. At the top the
cotton castle there lay an entire ancient city. The city of
Hieropolis has been inhabitated by the Phrygians, the Greeks, The Romans, The Byzantines and
the Seljuk Turks. Seeing the different influences in the city that each culture
left was really eye opening because it served as a tangible example of the cultural
diversity of this land.
It really is incredible to think of the cultures and
civilizations that have traveled through and lived in this land that I now call
home. Some of these groups include the Hattians, Hittites, Assyrians, Romans, Greeks, Turks and myself. The sheer
amount of history and historical landmarks in this country is astounding. It
has just become a daily part of life. When driving with my host family
across the country side we will pass ancient pillars and homes carved into
the mountainside. They don’t even think twice about it while I am sitting in
the back of the car having a melt down because every where I look I see an ancient structure. 
I came to Turkey with the desire to explore many of
the ruins and sites of antiquity in this country. I had the great opportunity
of exploring the ruins of Hierapolis and the natural wonders of Pamukkale with
my host brother. Hierapolis-Pamukkale was made a world heritage site in 1988. Pamukkale's
terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the
hot springs. It has an incredible white cotton looking surface with warm water running
down it. (Hence the Turkish translation of Pamukkale: cotton castle) As we worked
our way up these white rock formations I was in absolute wonderment of the natural
beauty I was experiencing. When we reached the top of the white rock formations I was expecting this to be the extent of this UNESCO
World Heritage site. However I was very wrong. At the top the
cotton castle there lay an entire ancient city. The city of
Hieropolis has been inhabitated by the Phrygians, the Greeks, The Romans, The Byzantines and
the Seljuk Turks. Seeing the different influences in the city that each culture
left was really eye opening because it served as a tangible example of the cultural
diversity of this land. 
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