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Cast a quick glance over these photos and I think you'll agree that the overall impression is of people having a good time. This is why I count myself lucky to be a member of Bodrum's H3A; a group of residents whose main aim is continuous enjoyable education. This learning can take the form of lecturers, travel, wine tasting, art classes, reading groups, opera visits, singing, creative writing, backgammon tournaments and more. They are ever open to new experiences.
Following my two basket-making lessons in the summer, I hoped the group would be interested in a trip to our village to watch Raşit in action and on Sunday the idea came to fruition with 32 H3A members meeting on my terrace to hear a bit about our village's fight with the mining/cement company, walk along the edge of the forest to enjoy the view of the agricultural plain and watch Raşit make a start on a basket.
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| Helena modelling a finger protector/extender used when the harvest was literally brought in by hand. |
After witnessing a Turkish traditional craft, we finished with time-honoured British one - A cream tea.
Those not familiar with the concept were relieved to find that the cream went on the scones - they had been anticipating it going in the tea!
From Bush to Basket
Baskets Galore
Fantastic...
ReplyDeleteI love the way they have all queued up so Britishly for their cream teas... I hope they were all apologising continuously too!
H3A members are very polite - queuing comes as second nature. I was apologising for being a bit slow with the tea. Having no urn I was using my jam making pan.
DeleteThis actually looks a bit like my idea of heaven, B2B....it's also giving me ideas for my defunct barn! Axxx
ReplyDeleteYou have a barn? I think you have a chocolate workshop come art centre.
DeleteMy comment exactly to hubby...who does the work and therefore tends to try and call the shots...he may have to be worked on. Ax
DeleteI am so jealous and so want to join your club!! enjoy - great to be able to catch up with your posts again, cok selamlar, Ozlem
ReplyDeleteIf you ever come to Bodrum Özlem we will immediately kidnap you to give a lecture to the group.
Delete. . that lack of understanding built an empire out of confused foreigners - they weren't called Imperial measures for nothing!
ReplyDeleteHints of "What did the Romans ever do for us?" and is there anything more confusing than the Imperial measurement system. I went metric as soon as I could.
DeleteSounds like you guys have fun! Was Ann there? She wasn't at our book club today. And did you make all those scones? It's great to have a group of like-minded people :)
ReplyDeleteAnne and Y were here. Ann brought along some gorgeous lemon curd.
Deleteand yes - it was a mammoth bake.
DeleteHardly basket cases, are you!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. The American expats here only do activites someone can make money from...
Everything is run on a "covering costs" basis which keeps the price of activities low. It costs 20 TL to join H3A and 20 TL a year subscription.
ReplyDeleteGaaah. Blogger just ate my comment...
ReplyDeleteIs it the same as University of the 3rd Age which is what my mother does. I think it's called that...
I think our Craft Club would love to have a basket making workshop. Maybe if we could get the minibus and come to Bodrum?
It's the same idea O, but the word university can't be used in Turkey. Bodrum is a long way to come for basket making but I'm sure Rasit would oblige.
ReplyDeleteAn unfortunate name for a splendid fellow. Bit like my Turkish dentist!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly seems to have been a success. Exhausting for you though. Those scones look delicious!
ReplyDeleteI should have brought you a couple on Monday.
DeleteHi Annie. It looks like a great day, I'm sorry I couldn't make it, I'm trying to catch up on gardening in our village. I really hope Rasit does something with his old tea house. You can never have enough baskets or wooden spoons in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, I hope it develops into something the whole village can benefit from.
DeleteI've GOT to get one of his splendid baskets! Looks like great fun, B to B, and scones with cream on top make my mouth water.
ReplyDeleteIf you visit I'll make sure we have a cream tea.
DeleteI'm guessing that H3A is Bodrum's version of the University of the Third Age and it looks like you have the most wonderful meetings. What a good idea to centre it on basket-making. My experience of providing cream teas to people not familiar with them is that they absolutely love them. :-)
ReplyDeleteVery similar to U3A.
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