Turkey 9 : Turqouise

Ever heard of turquoise?? Of course you have... We've all had the argument of "What color is that?" You say blue, the other guy says green...you two going at each other till a girl comes over and point out that it's turquoise, ending the fight and embarrassing you at the same time...we all had that, remember?

This time, we were brought to a Jewelery shop specialize in turquoise stones....

The manager was a well spoken man who speaks fluent Japanese...which is just boring. Came halfway around the world to Turkey, only to here some Turk speaking Japanese to me. Doesn't he understand that we ARE on vacation? We need to rest our ears and hear other language, dude!! Speak Turk, man!

Sigh...okay, I'll be "generous" and give him credits for being able to give a good, long, boring "lecture" about turquoise in Japanese....how are they mined, what kinds are there...blah blah....wtf?? Came halfway around the world to Turkey, only to hear some Turk giving lessons in Geology?? Doesn't he know that we ARE on vacation? We need to rest our brains and not doze off during another boring lecture.

So...desperate to escape the boredom, I decided to entertain myself by asking Fat Basturk where did the name "turquoise" come from.....he smiled one big smile and says,

"Well, young man, the name turquoise came to be as Turkey was famous for it's precious stone. You just can't find this rocks anywhere else! Most of the world's supply of turquoise comes from Turkey. These stones are special, unlike gold and silver which is so common....turquoise however, can only be found in Turkey. And that's why it's called turquoise....it's specially from Turkey!! *smiles*"

Being a self respecting student, I can't help but raise an eyebrow and critically doubt his "wisdom". Oh...my fingers just can't wait to log on the internet and find out the "truth"....

True enough, Fat Basturk was once again full of bullshit...

The word turquoise was derived around 16th century from French from the word for Turkish (Turquois). Turquoise does not occur in Turkey but was traded at Turkish bazaars to Venetian merchants who brought it to Europe. Interestingly, the modern main source of turquoise is the US...hah! Can only be found in Turkey my ass....

Anyway, have to say that the Jewelery on display were quite beautiful and exotic. Unfortunately, photos are prohibited...so, no pictures here.

But I have to say that the "jewel" of the shop wasn't a bluish green stone, it is instead a tall, slender waist, voluptuous, long legged, sharp nose lady with a bewitching beauty. Certainly the best sight I've seen whole day!! Pictures with her, however, was not prohibited...


Totally charming...

It all started with me(I think it was me) striking up a conversation with her....

Me: So umm.....do does the price differ according to purity of these stones??
Girl : No..not really.
Me: Wow...you speak good English!
*Flirt mode ON*
Me: And you look young too...you are still a student, right?
Girl: *laughs* Yes...I'm a student and I'm just doing part time here...
Me: A student huh? Wow...let me guess, you are 23?
Girl: Yes...how did you know?
Me: Because I am 23 too...haha. Anyway, what do you study?
Girl: Electrical Engineering....and my BOYFRIEND is an Engineer in England.
*Flirt mode...off*
Me: Oh yeah? Well, I have a girlfriend in Japan too...

Normal harmless conversation follows afterward...kinda awkward but I did my best to come up with a topic to talk about. Anyway, unlike most pretty girls who tend to be proud(girls, don't take offense...I'm just generalizing), she was very friendly and very nice.
And it's a surprise how she manage to be at the right place at the right time for us to take picture with! You see, we were allowed to wander around after the boring Geology lesson...and she just happen to show up wherever we were!! So, sensing her generosity, we took turns taking personal pictures with her...

This picture with her ended being our most precious picture of the Turkey Trip...