Pizza is Pizza ... and Money is Money

October 21, 2012

“Pizza is Pizza”, the Venetian waiter had told us.  On the same vein, “money is money”, our guide said.  “Turkish merchants will take pounds, American dollars, euros, and especially gold coins, should you offer those,” but that was not our experience today at the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum in the Bodrum Castle.  Only Turkish lira accepted, the sign at the entrance to the museum said.  And the same sign was posted in large print posters at the teller’s window.   Still we had to ask.  “Go to the currency exchange to get your money changed into Turkish lira,” she said.  I heard some people saying they bought a coffee at MacDonalds so as to get the correct currency.  Margaret and I went to a place that advertised, No Commission.  While we did fall of the turnip truck just a while ago, but we have learned enough to have disbelief about no commission. But turning 10 euro into 22.50 turkish lira didn’t hurt that much, and we spent a calm day in the castle, a relaxing days to remember.

Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology

October 21, 2012

Late Bronze age (12^th century) artifacts are on display in the castle.  Amphoras from the 14^th century Seytan Deresi Shipwreck are highlighted in another room.  I told Margaret that I am missing my internet, for I am running across questions, one of which is what is an amporas, why is it made that way, what does it sit on, what was it to hold, and why would there be a whole ship of them.  Wikipedia always has the quick fast answer.  The museum had the long slow answer, and a break from noon to one for lunch, something the internet doesn’t give.  Instead of leaving the castle Margaret and I found a rampart of sit on and look out over the ocean, and then move to a long marble bench where we could watch the pigeons perching on a castle tower.  We heard the rooster crowing as we entered the gates and later watched the peacocks strut across the grass, eating bits of bread thrown to them by museum guards.  We enjoyed resting while we waited for the museum doors to open.  We could have seen this same castle tour if we had taken an organized excursion from the boat but there is another charm at going at our own pace, reading the explanations on the walls slowly, instead of rushing along to keep up with the group.  Either way, I am always trying to fit too much into too little time.

One of the game pieces brought up from the ships bottom was a piece for “knucklebones”.  I will look for the rules for that game as well as see if I can find what would be modern day pieces for it.

Ancient and modern gaming is good.

 

Arta