Hierapolis & clothing thoughts

Yesterday we went to Hierapolis to visit the ruins and to see the white travertine terraces at Pamukkale. Unfortunately, do to its popularity as a tourist destination these spectacular limestone deposits are suffering damage.  So instead of a bright white color there are spots of red/orange and black/green.  An area is still open to tourist to walk and bath while a portion is for viewing only. 

Stunning!  Breathtaking.  So glad we made the 3 hour drive from our lodging. 

After our stay in Istanbul, where we tried to be cognizant of the local traditions, choosing to wear, long shorts or pants, tea shirts instead of spaghetti straps, and the girls put away the short shorts.  Around us occasionally we saw burka.  Now we are in Kusadasi where tourists dominate.  At Hierapolis where bathing is a prime consideration we saw many "speedo's" and bikini's all of which also meant very red and tanned skin.  There is a freedom here, no worries about your current state of physique!  All are comfortable regardless of size. 

So why do the "white's" wish to be brown and the "brown's" cover up their glorious dark skin?  All this begs one to wonder, what do the clothing signify?  Throughout time, people have always attached a meaning to clothing.  What value or meaning does it have?  What does it say to the wearer or the observer?  There is certainly a purpose to clothing I am noticing especially here in the hot sun!  We avoided sun burns for the most part, but I haven't been this tan since high school! Staying cool and covered is the trick!


Having trouble with the internet, so will download photos later.