Anatolia in September (2008):

Dear friends and family,

I’ve just returned from my 110th visit to Turkey. It was Ramadan, and many, many people were observing the fast.

Istanbul has made a festival out of "Iftar" (the breaking of the fast for dinner), and hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the Sultan Ahmet area to eat and party together after sundown.

It is almost impossible to move around the many thousands of families who were camped out on the grass covered parks and public areas - whilst every restaurant was filled with families awaiting the evening call to prayer and food. What a party!

Konya was more sober, but even more flowing with loving kindness. The open-heartedness of our friends in Konya was almost intoxicating in its depth. In all my years of traveling in the Islamic world (with multiple visits during Ramadan) I have never felt such deep feelings of love and support. It was almost seductive.

We located wonderful pieces yet again:

Marsh Arab kilims, Baktiari mix technique pieces, wonderful Avonya Soffras, village small carpets, Uzbek silk ikat table runners, and village kilims with strong artistic merit in all sizes.

As the selection and supply of tribal textile art diminishes, it is our Turkish family who have shown us the best they have to offer, and at real prices.

The tea is flowing, and the shipment has just arrived. We await your visit with anticipation.

All best