CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY, day three

After another delightful Turkish breakfast we went to a carpet shop --- but this one was different from all the other shops we have seen in Turkey. It was built in a village via an EU grant to develop projects to keep the countryside populated. The EU has also promoted an innovative and hugely successful program in Turkish prisons to train inmates in rug weaving. Apparently the repetitive motions and sense of accomplishment and proximity to beauty have been of significant benefit to the prisoners. What's more, the men can tie tighter knots than the women, so they produce rugs of exquisite detail and beauty - which are highly prized and valuable. Who would have thought??? We loved the splendid rugs and are very proud that we did not order one.
Love, H&B