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We had a short minibus journey (2 hours) to our next stop, Sanliurfa. This proved to be not so quick as we had an unexpected change of buses after 40 minutes which added another half an hour. The route took us along Lake Ataturk and over the Euphrates - we did not see anything of the dam though.
Once in Urfa, we set off to see the town's claim to fame, Ibrahim's (Abraham) birthplace and where he was saved from being burnt alive by King Nimrod when God turned the fire to water and the coal to fish. Abraham was then launched into the air and landed on a bed of roses.
This spot is now a garden with beautiful roses and 2 pools full of sacred carp. The locals come here to picnic, take tea and feed the fish. As it was Saturday, the place was heaving with families. Everybody was very friendly, wanting to practice their English with us and have photos taken. It was a relaxing place for a tea and ice cream.
We then saw the cave which was supposed to be the birthplace of Abraham. The viewing was segregated (women to the left, men to the right). The cave has a pool in it and the women throw coins so they can become pregnant.
We went for dinner to an old style house with a central courtyard. We were seated on the middle floor on one of two tables. We thought it was a nice setting but a little strange, so few tables. Then the music started and it seemed there was a bash going on up stairs. After our meal, Judi talked to one of the band. He invited us up to listen. The audience was all Turkish - some local and some tourists. The band was playing using local instruments with a big drum and a local reed instrument. They went round the dance floor to get the people up dancing. Ken was dragged up to join in to dance, Judi, of course, needed no invitation.
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