Turkish Night on July 27th

Last night we experienced a most remarkable evening. We were brought to a restaurant and greeted at the door by a clarinetist and a drummer that played a rhythmic greeting as we entered to welcome us to the establishment. We were then led down an elaborately decorated hallway that descended into a huge cave. We were led to a stone table in a nearby alcove. Waiters came and quickly filled our table with an enormous spread of appetizers many of which I do not know names to, but included many vegetables, beans and sauces of yogurt and garlic.
Shortly the lights dimmed and they announced the beginning of the dervish ceremony. The whirling dervishes are dancers performing a religious ceremony which I understand to be the souls journey of letting go of earthly attachments. They wore cylindrical hats and white robes that flew out as they began their dance. They started simply, but soon were whirling around with their hands held high above. Liam, Laura, and I were left spellbound as the music built in intensity and eventually died down to end in silence.

Soon the Turkish folk dancers came out and began doing their traditional figures. As the night progressed the dances became more intricate and we were left completely absorbed and enthralled by the technical difficulty of their footwork. After a while, the dances started getting the audience up dancing. We took hands similar to “Lord of the Dance” and began parading around the room to the music of clarinets, drums, accordion, and guitars. Our grand processional led us up the ramp out of the cave to a huge bonfire outside. After parading around the bonfire, they processed us back into the cave where we all went back to our tables to rest and dine some more.

While we were out parading around, the waiters had cleared our table for the main course. They brought steaming pots of beef and rice on a richly decorated pot similar to a flaming fondu dish. The meal was scrumptious!

Next, dropping from the ceiling in a glass box, exited a jeweled and tattooed belly dancer. She then proceeded to show us with apparent ease what looks completely impossible. She danced around the cavern to driving rhythms to the delight of the crowd.
After her exit, the folk dancers returned and raised the level again by demonstrating flaming knife throwing in between their dances. They finished the night by each taking turns with solos that were absolutely phenomenal. These male dancers would go back and forth from having their legs tucked below to fully extended in lightning quick moves that left you speechless. One particular dancer spun around the perimeter of the room on his knees as his feet flew out in front of him. I am not sure how to describe it any better because it looked nearly impossible.

The night was a true pleasure and gave us a wonderful insight into the welcoming hospitality of the Turkish people and a glimpse of their proud heritage and intense energy! Even Liam was completely enthralled to the end at around half past eleven at night! Truly a night we will always remember.