Emerald green landscapes, sapphire blue waters and Cappadocian caves that remind me of upside-down ice cream cones. These are among my lasting impressions of Turkey, a land that is part European, part Middle Eastern, part Asian, and one-hundred percent hospitable. I have made many friends in Turkey, including Seydi, one of my most-trusted vendors. Generous and wise people like Seydi have taught me that a Turkish carpet – or any artifact – is much more than simply woven wool, hammered metal or hand-thrown pottery. It is something that comes bundled with the memories and traditions of many generations.