On of my favorite experiences during each international travel journey is seeing how people live in different countries and learning about their work and daily life. Traveling with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) assures us plenty of opportunities to do this on each tour.

First, we visited Osiana, a women’s cooperative that was founded in 2024 and became a beneficiary of Grand Circle Foundation (OAT is owned by Grand Circle). The foundation donates equipment and fabrics to Osiana, so the women can make products to sell at local farmers markets, empowering them to be financially independent. The cooperative is open to any woman in the community, and the ladies can make whatever products they would like.

Hand-stamped tote bags are one of the products, and we had the opportunity to make our own bags with their handmade wood block stamps dipped in paint.

(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)

This lady made this cute little hot air balloon key chain, which I purchased for $6:

Tote bags in hand, we headed to the countryside to visit a family and learn about life on their farm. Irfan and Zeliha Abdullah, along with Irfan’s parents, grow grapes to sell for making wine. Cappadocia produces the best wine in Turkiye; other crops in the region are potatoes, peanuts, and pumpkin (grown for seeds).

After learning how to make Gozleme, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the family. Don’t know what Gozleme is? See for yourself by watching a short four-minute slide show I made that will appear in the next post, Turkiye #7 (Part 2).

Zeliha, especially, made quite an impression on me. She was so full of joy; lots of smiles and laughter! We really connected, even though we didn’t speak each other’s language. 

Next, we visited Omurlu Ceramics, a family business that began in 1807 and now has 20-25 potters and artists and is in its seventh generation. Such beautiful works of art!

Our final stop was to tour a cave home that has been in the family since the 1800’s. The current family has lived there since 1954, and they earn money by inviting small tour groups or individuals to tour their home. They also have a small gift shop in an adjacent room.

What a fabulous day!

Next up: TURKIYE #7 (PART 2): A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CAPPADOCIA- A SLIDE SHOW