About Mardin Cont'd

The Breakfast at Erdoba was nothing special.

As I was walking around the post office, I came across a local guide called Galip. He took me to every single spot listed in Lonely Planet.

I have visited numerous cities in Anatolia. None of them had the overwhelming ambience that Mardin has. The light yellow colored Midyat stone, which has been used in most of the buildings, is a significant contributor.

Galip: 15; has a meticulous hair cut and wears maroon shoes that are much bigger than his feet; his father is a partner at a barber shop, but he doesn't work there as an apprentice; instead, he has chosen to become a tour guide; says that there are way too many barbers in Mardin; when he grows up, he would like to be a military officer; he is contented with Mardin; has a single sibling; only prays on Fridays; he is an Arab.

Samuel: mid 30s; the Syrian Christian at the Forty Martyrs Church; he says that they are happy living within a predominantloy muslim society; there are approximately 500 Syrian Christians living in Mardin and they speak Arabic among each other; however, they learn Assyrian as they grow up; foreigners are allowed to attend the Sunday service, but this Sunday the service was not held at the Forty Martyrs.

Remember that Mardin has been established on a hill. Kurds occupy the lowest altitudes; Syrian Christians live in the middle and Arabs live at the top.

Most of the historical buildings found in Mardin are from the Artuklu period. (roughly 12th Century AD)

Housing units are connected to each other via long tunnels, like the ones featured in the Pontecorvo film, the Battle of Algiers.

Cercis Murat Konagi features delicious local food in an authentic setting.

Mardin has as many internet cafes as it has barber shops. It is a major industry with its high-speed internet and extensive snack menu. The situation was similar in Urfa.

At Erdoba, the baker in charge of the brick oven is really good. I had a meat, cheese, tomatoe and pepper pide (Turkified pizza) for dinner.