Anatolian cultures & food festival

An-a-to-li-a (noun)

a vast plateau between the Black and the Mediterranean seas: in ancient usage, synonymous with the peninsula of Asia Minor; in modern usage, applied to Turkey in Asia.

Turkey has been number one on the “countries I want to visit” list since about two years ago when I read a biography on Constantine the Great.  There is so much history in that part of the world, but until recently I have to admit my planning was set narrowly on Istanbul (previously Constantinople and before that, Byzantium).

Istanbul, one of the cities showcased at the Anatolian Festival.

A couple of Saturdays ago we drove down to Orange County where they were having the Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival, a large area built up for the weekend so that people like myself could get a little taste of Turkey as we wait patiently for our chance to visit the real deal.  And literally, taste we did!

Mmmm… doner.

The food was incredibly delicious!  In fact, so delicious that when a native of Turkey who was sharing a table with us (for our second meal there) asked what we thought of the festival I blurted out “The food is awesome!”  And when he asked about the culture part I was embarassed by my inability to answer.  Culture?  Who cares about culture when there is so much food to try!?  Transitioning from one to the other, they did have a chef giving cooking demonstrations.

Never trust a skinny chef… I guess this guy is alright.

The menu/schedule board.

Unfortunately the area was too crowded for me to be able to hear well and pick-up any tips.  Oh well.  Other than that, culturally they had a few random music demonstrations going on every so often.

Is it just me or does the guy in front look a bit like Russell Crowe?

We missed the whirling dervishes performance because we were in line for food.  I kinda wanted to see it because I am curious, but truthfully I find it a bit boring.  Of course I have only seen it on TV and not in person, so maybe my opinion will change when I do.  And since I missed it at this event, guess that is just one more reason to visit Turkey.

A big portion of the fairgrounds was sectioned off into little cities.  Those represented were Istanbul, Konya, Antalya, Mardin, and Van.  Before that day Istanbul was the only one I had heard of, but now I want to go to them all!  They are completely spread throughout the country so they each offer something different.  Originally I was just going to make Istanbul a stop on a larger trip, tack it on with Greece and/or Egypt, something like that.  But now I know Turkey will have to be a trip in itself, one that lasts weeks and hits all the different regions.  I am, however, still looking forward to Istanbul the most.

One day, beautiful Hagia Sophia, one day.

One of the coolest parts of this festival was the entrance which they called “The Path of Anatolia” and was basically a life size timeline, complete with people in costume for each of the time periods.  Hittite, Troy, Urartu, Frig, Lydia, Ionia, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Great Seljuk Empire, Ottoman Empire, and the present Turkish Republic.  Like I said in the beginning… A LOT of history this place has.  That means I have A LOT of reading to do!  One thing I’ve learned is that places are infinitely more interesting when you have knowledge of their history prior to going.  At least for me they are.