Program 266a: Sojourning Further; Being Human; Turkish Nomads

Release Date: 11-23-2013

On-Air Description

A preacher, a biologist, and a granddaughter of Turkish nomads.

They each bring us perspectives on how people the world over are really all part of the same family - no matter if they live in a suburban bungalow, or a goat hair tent.  

On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Rick checks in with Reverend Jim Wallis, and with "The Darwinian Tourist," to discover what they've learned from their travels to far away lands. 

We'll also hear how life is changing for nomadic sheep herders in Turkey. 

See what the far corners of the world can teach us, on Travel with Rick Steves.

Notes to Stations

This is a re-edit of Program #266, which first aired Nov 12, 2011.

Reminder to stations: In addition to using our latest set of fundraiser modules (uploaded in early October 2013), if your station would like to fundraise during a weekly edition of Travel with Rick Steves, contact producer Tim Tattan at 425-608-4234 for help identifying clean cutaway opportunities to insert local pitch breaks during any week's show.

Guests

  • Rev. Jim Wallis, CEO of the non-profit organization Sojourners, and author of "Rediscovering Values:  A Guide for Economic and Moral Recovery" (Howard Books)
  • Christopher Wills, Professor of Biological Sciences and member of the Center for Molecular Genetics at the University of California San Diego, and author of "The Darwinian Tourist"  (Oxford Univ. Press)
  • Ayşegül Ünlü, tour guide from Turkey
  • Dispatch from Portugal filed by bicycle adventurer Willie Weir

Related Links

  • Jim Wallis is the Chief Executive Officer and Editor-In-Chief of the non-profit Sojourners.
  • He writes periodic blog entries in the God's Politics blog on the Sojourners website.
  • Christopher Wills is professor emeritus at the University of San Diego's Division of Biological Sciences.
  • Christopher Wills is published by Oxford University Press. His newest book is called "Green Equilibrium." The book he discusses with Rick is "The Darwinian Tourist."
  • Ayşegül Ünlü recommends the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, on the Hippodrome in Istanbul, for its displays on traditional societies in Turkey.
  • Willie Weir's website includes a link to his latest book of travel essays, "Travels with Willie" and his Yellow Tent Adventures blog. 

Incidental Music

  • Lorenna McKennitt, "Night Ride Across the Caucasus," The Book of Secrets / Quinlan Road
  • St. Germain, "Land Of," Tourist / Blue Note
  • * The Wallace Family, "Wayfaring Stranger," Texas Serenade / (self-released)
  • Baly Othmani, "Tannament N'Yalla," Assarouf / Worldly-Triloka
  • Jim Centorino, "Black Gold (Rhino)," Ivory / World Disc Music
  • Unspecified musicians and dancers, "Thumb (Played) Metal Instrument; Men Dancing Around a Fire," Music of !Kung Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert, Africa / Folkways (released in 1962)
  • St. Germain, "La Goute D'Or," Tourist / Blue Note
  • Trudi Egi, Vincent Raka, and various artists, "Rymoka String Band," Music of the South Pacific: Recordings Made By David Fanshawe (1978-1992) (collection) / ARC
  • Yothu Yindi, "Back to Culture," Freedom / Hollywood Records
  • 4 Wings, "Penelope," Café del Mar, vol. 5 (collection) / Fontana MCA
  • 101 Strings, "London Bridge is Falling Down," Songs of England / Madacy
  • * DuOud, "Interluth," Wild Serenade / Label Bleu
  • Orient Expressions, "Interlude," Divan / DoubleMoon (Turkey)
  • Peter Kater on eagle bone whistle, "Day Sky-Night Sky," Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai: Natives / Silver Wave
  • Dangaa, "Caravan to Kasachstan," Altai / Blue Flame
  • Istanbul Orient Ensemble, "Ates Basinsa," Caravanserai / Network (Germany)
  • Pierce Brochetti & Company, "Birthday," Birthday (single) / (self-released)

Dated References

  • At 9:27, Rick notes that Jim Wallis "has been on President Obama's spiritual advisory group."
  • At 14:28, Jim Wallis says Iran is the only actual "theocractic" government in the world right now.
  • In discussing the problems with human trafficking at 17:37, Jim Wallis says "there are more women and children in economic slavery today than when William Wilberforce freed the slaves in Britain 200 years ago."
  • Christopher Wills says, starting at 27:10, that the San people, who were pushed into Africa's Kalahari Desert by other groups, are "beginning to fight back" to gain political power.
  • Rick notes there are 30 to 40 million members of nomadic groups remaining in the world, in his segment C intro at 40:42.
  • At 45:36, Ayşegül says the Turkish government does not exert pressures on nomads, per se, due to their small population, but precedes that comment by noting they are thought of as being similar to gypsies. She adds at 48:20 that nomads aren't organized politically, and their numbers are dwindling, since people are leaving for cities to educate their children and seek other modern economic opportunities.
  • Ayşegül tells Rick at 51:17 that she was shopping today for a snowboarding outfit and equipment. They then briefly discuss the recent development of ski resort areas in Turkey.

Haiku Awards

High school travel group

Four countries in six short days

Where is Taco Bell?

Karen Bray, Columbus, Indiana

 

Travel with adult child

No more burgers to eat

When can I stop footing the bill?

Annetta Miller, Marion, Illinois

 

Buckingham Palace,

Big Ben, The Tate, Shakespeare's Globe.

We mainly do pubs.

Imozelle McVeigh, Chula Vista, California