Ani, the ancient city.

James and his family were living in Erzurum, Turkey while he taught English at Atiturk University.  We had the opportunity to visit him there for a week or so.  What an amazing experience, not only for the things we saw, but especially for the people we met. 

These young ladies were students in James' class, dressed in the traditional fashon of the Muslim women.  They were some of the most warm people we have ever met.  

This is one of James' classes, and they were celebrating James' birthday.  They surprised him when he walked into the class.  They sure seemed to like him.

The young man here and I really connected.  He is actually from Iran, but studying there.  He is one of the most intelligent young men I have ever met.  His English was very good.  His name is Mortesa.  These people in Turkey were so very warm and inviting, something I would not have supposed given what I hear in the news media about the Islamic People.  It was just a great privilege to get to know these people.  Some of the student in James' class came from Georgia, Armenia,and other surrounding countries.  

These are the ruins of the ancient city of Ani.  Itt was founded in the fourth century before Christ, and was so much fun to walk through.  This is the gate through which we went in. 

These are the ruins of an ancient temple, I would suppose.  There were pillars and other decorative things lying around.  We were able to simply walk around among the ruins. 

My guess would be that this was once a chapel of other religious building.  It was towards the center of the city.

Looking across the river we could see caves, as those above which I would believe people lived in also.  Actually those caves are in the country of Armenia, which is across the river from Ani.  

This is the front of the gate to the city.  These parts were quite well preserved,   I have to believe there has been a lot of cosmetic help provided.  

This, again, is the gate looking to the right.  

I can never get enough of seeing these "really old" things.

 I will forever be indebted to James and Brit for their hospitality.