I traveled to Turkey for the first time in June 2023. So many fascinating experiences caught my fancy. But this one stood out as the cousin to our interstate truck stops or roadside inns in America. Camel caravan rest stops –caravanserais– were created before gasoline, diesel, big-rig trucks, and motor homes.
The journeys of merchants and their animal caravans along the Silk Road trade route (from 130 B.C. until A.D. 1453) through the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa would have been much more difficult if not for the caravanserais. Built at regular intervals, 32-40 kilometers (20–25 miles) apart—about a day’s journey, merchants spent the night to rest and reduced their exposure to the dangers of nighttime bandits on the road.
The facade of the one I visited had a palace-type appearance with 30-40 foot stone walls surrounding a complex of more than an acre. Once entering through the massive gate, a more rustic nature revealed itself. On the left were the stables for the camels, donkeys, and horses. On the right were walled quarters for travelers to sleep on their mats and blankets. Larger caravanserais had prayer rooms, bathhouses, and cookfires.
I imagined the smell of incense and myrrh, cook pots wafted with spices, herbs, and dried camel meat. Voices of Arabic, Chinese, and Russian intermingled in the air. The commotion of pack animals settled in for the night. What a fascinating place this must have been.
The front gate was locked with a massive chain when night approached. No one was allowed to leave or enter. Before the gate opened in the morning, everyone would account for their possessions; akin to the safety box in hotels today. The precious cargo included silk, spices, tea, ivory, cotton, wool, gold, ebony, salt, textiles, and jewelry.
Travelers from East and West spoke many languages and traded stories, news, merchandise, and ideas while mingling at these trade hubs. They sampled local cuisine and observed foreign etiquette and religious practices from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism, as well as from missionaries and scholars passing through.
When they continued onward, their newfound knowledge traveled with them. Caravanserais made the economic and cultural exchanges possible with far-reaching effects seen today in the various languages, faiths, and cultures co-existing in this region.
Hence the quote from Mark Twain: Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.
Happy travels to all of you . Your comments are always welcomed below.
Susan E. Greisen 
Thanks Susan for this. Stay well, keep on truckin, you are doing so many good things with you writing and communicating. Here is a verse for you:POP AWAY
At the edges
of the verges
are the margins,
and the surges —
the unseen urges —
the same as music
never heard.
If we listen, stop to wonder,
loveliness though not a thunder
will pop.
© Copyright Edward Mycue rev. October 5, 2015
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Hello Ed, always good to hear your contributions.
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Thanks for sharing Susan. I love how people of different faiths, languages and culture were able to get along and show respect to others.
Kathy Pool
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Hello Kathy, thanks for your comments. I hope this region of the world, and all the world for that matter, can find civility and peace.
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Hi Susan,
Well you’ve become quite the foreign traveler. This was a very interesting and informative article! Are you becoming the “Rick Steve’s” of travel off the beaten path? Are you planning to write a travel log?
As you’re probably aware with your farm background, it’s harvest season here in the Midwest. Clouds of dust trail behind combines harvesting soybeans in our area as it has been very dry, which does benefit the farmers. No contending with wet soils and drier beans means good low moisture content. The beans are priority 1 right now, especially since their about twice the price of corn per bushel. Corn looks ready to pick too, but they can wait as it’s early October yet.
Had a good two days earlier this past summer with Mark and Sally Zelonis, RPCVs from Liberia who were visiting our area. Been over 50 years since I’ve seen them. Visited the International Crane Foundation near us of which we are both members, as well as the Aldo Leopold Center also nearby. We had a good exchange of storied while breaking bread together. Good to see them!
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“Hello Randy, as my father said to me when I was a 12 when we traveled to the West Coast from Nebraska “I want to go there because I’ve never been there before.” That usually is my mantra for going to these Faraway lands. I’ll be heading to Morocco in December. Cannot wait! Happy travels when you can. Susan
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Malo ‘aupito Susana! Fascinating!
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Hello Lopeti,
Yes, that 2 hour tour was facinating and unforgettable. Thanks for reading and writing.
Susana
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