European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 23, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                To ors and be Ops in Turkey. Jeff Dickson says he probably went overboard with his carpet collection. I Woven Art sometimes nearly reach the Selling. He hardest decision is which carpet not to buy. Hooked on the first. Second and third things you Polico about a certain apartment i downtown Ankara Are carpet guess what kind of establishment you be walked into strewn with clothes to give it a Homey appearance it might be the Ankara Branch of rugs r us or it might to the Cave where All Baba and the 40 thieves store their Cache of antique carpets but actually it s Home for a single air Force technical sergeant who jokingly tells his trends thai he was a Sultan in an earlier life Jeff diet son collects aging carpels the Way some pants Hoard pictures of their children such versatile accessories carpets Dickson s Blanket the wafts of his two bedroom apartment cover his Sola and pillows to even uses them As floor coverings there s no escape from the 80 plus rugs that dominate Hie decor in Dickson s de like apartment. Well Maybo one i used to have some on my bed. Taut my maid  Ca d Dickson. Who is assigned to the 7217th ail Zaso group s contracting office they weighed about go ibs. She said if i did t gel a Bedspread she was going to kill me Dickson s obsession with turkish carpels began s imply. He Only wanted to decorate his apartment and he was t Inlo Art of the painted drawn or sculptured varieties soon alter to arrived in Turkey his sponsor an eccentric As Dickson affectionately described him shopped Lor rugs and took the newcomer along Dickson saw a couple of carpets he liked and the seeds of a Blos Sourng interest look Root i probably went overboard but what can i say he sad shrugging As he surveyed his collection the turkish ambiance of Dickson s apartment is underscored with brass trays vases and pots that Dot open spaces As Well As the sounds of the local popu a music he enjoy a confirmed to to Prole the Memphis Tenn resident sings with a group in a downtown Ankara restaurant from three to seven nights a week the songs he and his fellow band mates sing Are turkish. The ugly american is a prevalent thing Over   said i feel that if i m in the country. I Shou d enjoy he culture or go Back to Iho Stales i do what i can to fit  he joked people think i m part turkish " that is until he reveals his preference for rugs that most turks would consider worthy of Iho garbage bin the old carpels he buys Aion t expensive Antiques but merely feature colors textures motifs or Sheens that catch Dickson s roving Eye. Ii a piece appeals to me. I buy it Dickson said he compares the craftsmanship that goes into handmade turkish carpets Wilh the skill and care worked Inlo Stradivarius violins. The ultimate in musical instruments. But there s one important difference Price. The prices Are so dirt cheap Dickson said of the carpets to buys. And it s something that was somebody s life. It s a once in a life Limo Cicalione " Dickson s youngest carpet is 10 years old the oldest is about a Century old the most expensive piece Cost $350. A Small sum when compared with the thousands of dollars and millions of yen High rolling buyers pay for new turkish carpets. My real love Are the prayer pieces Dickson said pointing out a Lew Small carpets with a curved window design. The color Green on a prayer Rug. Underlines its religious significance Pink on the other hand Means the Carpel was made Lor a Bride s dowry. Even Dickson admits to does t need any More carpets but he s had a Long term Hir Lalion Wilh one Beauty to whom he s already loss a chunk of his heart i be been looking at one piece for three years ii was made in 1927, and it s an original her eke out of Tho town of her eke Dickson said referring to a make of carpet that s arguably Turkey s finest. Thoy want $1,500 Lor it he turned silent for a minute before explaining his philosophy in deciding if a piece is meant to adorn his Home. As with the her eke Dickson won t buy the carpet initially but hell return to a shop every so olten to see in the prize piece is still there. They Call it Kismet hero or Fate ii in slays there it s mine. If it does to it s  he said. Dickson text open Iho question of How lengthy his dalliances Wilh Kismet and attractive carpels typically last before he tells a storekeeper to pack it " which Means Dickson s taking it Homo shipping his collodion out of Turkey might be d of cult if to is reassigned to a stateside base. So he s mulling Over he idea of eventually retiring overseas to work and live in the land where East moots West. It would t cause me any heartburn at All. I d love it Dickson said. Dad. J tember23,1989 the stars and stripes Page 15