I’m most interested in seeing the evolution of architecture and art that occurred in Asia Minor under local, then Roman, then Byzantine rule. So much of written history focuses on great men, great empires, and great battles, and being able to witness some small remnant of the lives of everyday people transforms history from a great story of the grand and mighty to a relatable one of normal people living normal lives in normal times. Experiencing the change over time of the city and art around them connects the two, bringing into greater focus the fact that the peoples of a place halfway across the world a millennia and a half ago were just people, just like us.
Seeing this evolution of the everyday sights of life makes history feel more real. I’ve done plenty of reading about this region in the past, but the opportunity to experience some of the art, architecture that stems from the political and social developments that I’ve read so much about would make the history feel so much more alive. Rather than words on a page, I hope that experiencing Antiochia will help me better see these historical people as people, once living and changing with the world around them. I’m most interested in exploring history as an active story of the lives lived before ours rather than as words on page.
When I get to Gazipaşa, I’m hoping to gather some Turkish recipes to take home. I want to find a small restaurant that would be willing to share some recipes with me! Additionally, I’m looking forward to seeing Turkish fashion! I know that I’ll have a better time with that in Istanbul or another major city, but still, I’m excited to find some new inspiration.
