Dear Friends and family,

Once again we made the trek through Central Anatolia. It was June of 2009, and the weather was warm, with some light rain, and cooler nights. Reminded me of Southern California in the mid 60's.

Sorry to say, the camera was not with me So you'll have to create images to go with the words.

Istanbul was filled with people. There as also a major auto race in Istanbul that week, and they were talking of many thousands who were attending. Hotels were full, and this spilled over into the Grand Bazzar. However, I was told they were just tea drinkers, and not buyers.

There were a few foreign carpet people around, both American and European. They tended to be very quiet and stayed to them selves.

Only saw one piece which tempted me in the Grand Bazzar: Kurdish, mixed technique, and oldish.

Mostly, I drank tea and hung out with friends.

Konya was more interesting. I saw both tourists and Turkish carpet dealers buying.

Some shops were still active in acquiring new stock, and some were sleeping.

Found just what I was looking for. Yeah Konya!

Also found in Konya20the great acquisitions for this trip: 19th century Chodor Turkoman silk embroidered money bags...3 of them! What a score. They were purchased in Ashgabat about 17 years ago, and hidden until last week. Lucky us.

And, a 3 x 5 (ish) Uzbek Dsulchir - called Bear Rugs, these are mostly very large or long and narrow. This is the first small one we have ever seen - and it's old and beautiful too.

On a food note: Hamdi Restaurant in Istanbul has become very well known and thus over crowded. We found a new (3 months old) grill a 5 minute walk from the Hali Hotel. It's called Khorosan, and also features pistachio kufta (wonderful), as well as lamb ribs, and hash hash kufta. Kufta is ground lamb and veal, and hash hash are the seeds from the opium poppy of Afyon. {They are not a narcotic, and have a pleasant and distinctive taste.}

Went again to Ali Babas - the Firrin Kebab restaurant in Konya. As wonderful as always. Learned that it takes 6 kilos of lamb, and a day of very slow cooking, to produce one kilo of Firrin Kebab (sometimes called Konya Kebab). It's melt-in-your-mouth.

Found out that the best fish in Istanbul (and the least expensive) are served for lunch. A whole grilled fish (Sea Bass) from the Black Sea for 9 Lira (under $6.00)....and so sweet tasting.

Missed the soup restaurants. Inshallah! This coming September.

On a general note: Once again it wa s a pleasure to be an American in Turkey. The taxi drivers were pleasant and supportive - one went so far as to give me a thumbs up when he found out I was American, and smiled "Obama!"

The Turkish Lira is no longer as strong (or stronger) than the Dollar - finally!

So. It's a great place to visit, and a wonderful place to eat.

Our shipment is due in a couple of weeks - just in time for

Old Fashioned Bargain Days in Downtown Charlottesville...July 16-17-18...

We will be celebrating this Downtown Booster Event from the 1930's with both a general Sale, and a massive Bargain Pile (pieces impulse priced to move).

Upcoming Events:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is having a major Exhibition:

The Treasures of Afghanistan - Opening June 23rd and open until September 20, 2009.

We have heard that there will also be an Afghan Bazzar, featuring interesting and unusual tribal textiles, rugs, and bags for sale.

And, Saul will be a guest speaker at this July's ORRA (Oriental Rug Retailers Association) annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga. - Monday July 13th.

The topic will be "Small pieces as a window into Tribal consciousness." Where we will explore the world of tribal beliefs and how their personally made pieces offer an understanding of how they view the world - both social and hidden. I plan on bringing many examples from different cultures to illustrate my points.

Well, the tea is hot, the rugs and trappings are wonderful and we await the pleasure of your company.

All best

Saul and the Sun Bow crew
June 15, 2009
Charlottesville, Virginia

Sun Bow Trading Company
110 South Street (by the Farmers Market)
Monday-Saturday, 11:00-6:00
Outfitting Downtown Charlottesville since 1978.
(434) 293 8821
http://www.sunbowtrading.com