Birthdays and Beypazarı

In February both my Mother-in-law and aunt-in-law had birthdays.  We weren’t quite sure what to get them.  We decided instead to treat them to a day trip.

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Beypazarı is about an hour from Ankara towards Istanbul.  The city known for several things.  It produces 60 % of Turkey’s carrots, has beautifully restored Ottoman houses, and the renowned 80 layer (it is normally 40) baklava.  The pazar in town was lovely with lots of dried herbs and spices.IMG_1612

There were also beautifully handmade soaps and lots of carrot products.  There was carrot juice, carrot jam, carrot lokum.  The history the city is very rich as it was a stop on the silk road between Istanbul and Baghdad.

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While there we went to Tarihi Taş Mektep, a historical restaurant with traditional Beypazarı foods.  This includes very tasty tarhana soup, a special type of sarma, a very delicious and rich guveç ( a meat and rice stew) and an 80 layer baklava.  I tasted everything but the baklava which contained walnuts, and it was fabulous.

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It was a lovely trip and both Bulent’s mother and aunt really appreciated the trip.   We might be going back in the future just for that rich, lamby, delicious guveç.  I may have been have been tempted to lick the clay pot it came in.

Jules's avatar

Jules

I grew up in rural New England and in my early twenties I moved to Turkey with my boyfriend. I spent six years learning Turkish, and absorbing the culture and country. In 2015 I repatriated and moved back the the US. My (now) husband and I relocated to Austin, Texas. Our son K joined us in 2017 and I am now on the journey of my life.

5 thoughts on “Birthdays and Beypazarı

  1. Nice idea. Experiences always trump “presents”. Looks like a charming city and a fun trip. (Otra vez, la chica is muy inteligente!). xo

  2. Lovely shots! When we went to Beypazari, I just assumed we were going to see the bottling of the mineral water. Never saw it. I guess it is colse by. I was happily surprised with the village – mineral water or not!

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