Marveling at the Whirling Dervishes in Istanbul

Whirling Dervish at the Hoja Pasa Hamam.

Whirling Dervish at the Hoja Pasa Hamam.

One of the icons that foreigners associate with Turkey is that of the whirling Dervish. 

Wearing a white robe and tall felt hat, a Suni Muslim from the Mevlani order enters into a trance and with all the solemnity and devoutness of the faithful, whirls and whirls and whirls. 

As a [... Marveling at the Whirling Dervishes in Istanbul]

Being Pampered at the Hamam

Hamam towels hang to dry.

With the girls in Turkey, I had to take them to the hamam (Turkish bath).  Devon actually went twice; but they both loved it.  After having been indoctrinated into the world of public bathing in Japan, both of them thought this was much easier and much more comfortable.  That might have something to do with the [... Being Pampered at the Hamam]