9 hours on a small bus to Goreme, Capadocia. Goreme is a little town set in the most weird and fascinating landscape! Formed by volcanic action and erosion, the landscape is full of tall spire-like rocks (looking quite phallic!) in a large canyon area. People settled here and turned some of the bigger spires into dwellings. This is actually where our leader - Jess - currently lives (originally from NZ).
I awoke early in the morning to catch the sunrise over the town and rocks. The sky was overcast, but I was optimistically hopeful the sun might peer out. I climbed up over some ruins onto a roof top and was greeted with an amazing view made more exciting with hot air balloons floating low amongst the tall mystical spires. 
Everything was silent except for the hot air blast in the balloons. It was magical. Then, as I watched, the sun suddenly pierced through the clouds spotlighting the balloons, the town and the surreal landscape. Breathtaking! I was ecstatic!
After a walk through the valley of these surreal rock formations, we headed to an ancient Christian city all carved out of the rock. There were small cathedrals, with old fading frescoes, tombs, rooms with long
dining tables, kitchen areas and even a wine-making cave. Later, we went to an immense underground cave city that was used by the Christians when hiding from attackers. Small, low, claustrophobic tunnels that lead deep below the earth’s surface into large caves that were used for sleeping, eating, worship and teaching. About 2000 people would stay here for a period of 2 weeks. Hard to imagine how people lived here! The air was damp and thick at times, the tunnels were tight and I’d imagine were quite dark without the electricity we had down there.
Everything was silent except for the hot air blast in the balloons. It was magical. Then, as I watched, the sun suddenly pierced through the clouds spotlighting the balloons, the town and the surreal landscape. Breathtaking! I was ecstatic!After a walk through the valley of these surreal rock formations, we headed to an ancient Christian city all carved out of the rock. There were small cathedrals, with old fading frescoes, tombs, rooms with long
dining tables, kitchen areas and even a wine-making cave. Later, we went to an immense underground cave city that was used by the Christians when hiding from attackers. Small, low, claustrophobic tunnels that lead deep below the earth’s surface into large caves that were used for sleeping, eating, worship and teaching. About 2000 people would stay here for a period of 2 weeks. Hard to imagine how people lived here! The air was damp and thick at times, the tunnels were tight and I’d imagine were quite dark without the electricity we had down there.
We’ve been eating some great local food. A Turkish breakfast consists of loads of bread, tomato, cucumber, olives, yoghurt, fruit, eggs and cheese. They love their tea. Lunch and dinner would be a doner or shish kebab, Turkish pizza - flat pizza with meat and eggs was a favourite, ‘meze’ - a mix of dip appertisers, lentil or tomato soup and always more bread! Fresh fruit and tea for desert or the delicious baklava! I’ve discovered a new fruit called ‘percimum’ - or something like that. It looks like a tomato, and to hold it is really squishy. It bursts in your mouth with a weird sloppy texture that some people don’t really like. It’s wonderful! I’ve also had pomegrant - which I’ve never tried before either. Another interesting fruit - but I prefer the percimum.
No comments:
Post a Comment