A Vegeterian in Izmir

Turkey is not a best place for vegetarian (or Vejeteryan in Turkish) food, though you will not be disappointed if you explore and get to traditional Turkish food place. I would not have names of dishes I had but got some photos to share.

Vejeteryan Krepe - A Wrap filled with Cheese and Vegetables

Helva - Its' like Halwa in India

Something = Gulabjamun

Vejeteryan Plate

Salad Options

Menu - Veg Krep

In Bazaar, we also get Pida Bread filled with Potato, Cheese and Spinach - Tastes like Paranthas or filled Naan.

And of course...you have Turkish delight to fill you up at end. Really tasteful and available every where.

Izmir and around - second weekend!

Alright, its weekend again and our next excursion is Nature's wonder Pamukkale and ancient cities of Hierapolis and Laodikia.

First stop was ancient city of Hierapolis - again 2000 years old story and amazing sites.

Theater - Me and Reji

Fountain or "something"

Museum of excavated articles

Supposed to be a Roman bath

One thing that I found common in all ancient cities was a Theater and Baths, Romans really had fun that time.

Next Stop - Pamukkale - A nature's wonder

Ponds

Cotton Castle... This looks great...isn't it?

No...this is not snow and I am not on a glacier!!!

These are Pamukkale's terraces that are build over centuries  made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs. So its not snow but calcium carbonate sedimentation over a hill.

Next Stop - Ancient city of Hierapolis

And this was big very big and were really tired walking through the ruins. This place has one of the most well preserved ruins of Roman Era.

An Ancient Street

"Something - may be a temple"

Believe me - Its a stadium

Stadium - Original (no restoration done)

Another Theater - Myself and Ricky

Our Guide showing water ducts in ancient wall

It was a long day and lots of fun.....and we had best guide on this tour who made sure we know all kings and queens and what happened to them, who attacked whom and when.............

A International Dinner..@ Beyond Hotel

Just believe what would happen if "IBM Chefs" from 9 countries get in to a hotel kitchen to prepare for a international dinner and cook cuisine from their country..

Himanshu - Indian Chef!

Indian Food :)

Happy after food - Sharon, Yuri and Ant

Chefs at work

Our Guests

3 Hours - 13 IBMers and we had Indian, Japanese, Mexican, South African, Australian cuisines in buffet.

Time is moving faster than expected!

We are getting closer to our departure dates and time really moved faster than I expected (at least for work).  It is a interesting project to help Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC) in Izmir achieve its objectives of promoting entrepreneurship. First time I studied so extensively about entrepreneurship, how organizations and government bodies across the world promotes it and how it can help an economy grow. I was surprised to know that Turkey with such impressive growth trails other competing economies on entrepreneurship indexes.
 
We had workshops and interactions with YEC members, university students, development agency and other stake-holders to assess priorities and execution possibilities. It was great to hear from participants on what they believe can be done and I was impressed by their enthusiasm.

Izmir and around

After spending two week-ends in Izmir and around, I would say it is a tourist paradise and has a lot to offer: Amazing history, sightseeing, beaches, natural wonders, wonderful city and best is welcoming and cheerful people here. I would say we are having great time, thanks to Çağrı (or Charlie!) for being our host, friend and guide in Izmir.

1st weekend - A trip to Ephesus: a date with history

This city was built before and after 0BC and guide claimed it is only unearth by 10% as of now, but whatever we could see was amazing. Its really unimaginable how these huge stones would have been moved and structures were built. Impressive !

House of Virgin Mary: It is believed that she lived and died here

 

Guide said it is best place in Ephesus to take your photo!

Wonders of Stone - Library !

That was a downtown - 2000 years ago

Theater in Roman Time

 We were told that work is going on for more than 100 years here to restore these buildings with international support. I guess it is not easy to put these pieces of stones together, its a puzzle and all guess.

That's our team - IBM CSC Turkey Team 9

Work Begins!

First day at work...

#ibmcsc turkey

Good Morning Izmir

First Day in Izmir

Quiet, calm and beautiful....morning in Izmir.

I walked alongside the bay wondering it's the same place that was well crowded yesterday evening.

 

and the formal work Begins!

Afternoon, 11-Mar-13, Turkey Team 9 of IBMers heads for Aeagen Chamber of Industry office to have first face to face interaction with our host organizations i.e. Izmir Development Agency (IZKA), Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) and Aeagen Chamber of Industry (EBSO).

Welcome note from host organization's executives, presentation on Izmir city (amazing and impressive), IBM's team introduction and presentations followed by cocktail and snacks was actions on day one. Everything went very well, and we were really impressed and overwhelmed by attention we got.

#ibmcsc turkey