Beypazarı, August 2026
The first place I visited is a small town named Beypazarı close to the capital, Ankara. The town is quaint and famous mostly for one street full of small shops and friendly vendors who keep offering things to eat from their shops. The initial part of the street is full of hanging dried vegetables. There is also some metal work, smithing, and small historical museums as you walk further down—including the first “Turkish Bath Museum” in Turkey built inside a 500 year-old Turkish bath, as well as a “Living Museum” where people are trying to keep at least some of the ancient traditions alive, such as wood-block print making and hand weaving. These pictures feature some of these sights. But I did make a note to myself to go back again to appreciate bits and pieces I might have missed.
Yes, people are trying to sell you things. But there is also sincerity and a sense of welcome & offering. I never felt like I was being played or tripped into buying anything. This is not in contrast to anywhere else but an observation in itself. This kind of sincerity and earnestness is welcome and refreshing.
The “Living Museum” is kind of like a time capsule where they preserved ancient rooms and traditions. This tickles the part of me that likes to capture texture, detail, and pattern.
