Cappadocia (Turkey part 2)

I was attempting to Skype with Greg a few nights ago from Turkey and miraculously got a connection. I could tell it was Sunday because Greg had his Broncos shirt on and until then I hadn't realized what day it was (a very common thing for me these days).


I could only get WiFi standing outside where it was 28F that night. I had a thick scarf, my breath was continually hitting the screen on my iPad, I hadn't shaved in a few days (I'm growing a sweet mustache in honor of Movember), and the connection was scratchy. Greg says to me "you look like a CNN war correspondent...are you're in a cave?!" I


laughed and told him I wasn't working for CNN but I WAS very close to a cave. I was talking to Greg from Cappadocia, Turkey, one of the most mind boggling places I have ever been to. Oh and yes, my bed for the night was in fact inside a cave... My Canadian friends (Paola, Nicole) and I took a 12 hour overnight bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia where we would spend the next 36 hours


exploring. We had a pretty set itinerary and knew what we were doing the entire time. Cappadocia is an extremely vast region and is famous for its wild horses and magnificent rock formations along with the people who have made their homes in these rocks for centuries.


With the tourist high season ending and the low temperatures arriving, we would have to brave the bitter cold but with clear blue skies in the forecast we knew we were lucky to have arrived when we did.


Many of the sites we saw in Cappadocia caught me by surprise because I wasn't expecting to find such clear and visible signs of early Christianity in Turkey but yes, this area was inhabited by Christians hundreds of years ago. In a mostly Muslim country it made this mysterious place even more appealing to me.


We were able to see underground cities, churches, and homes carved out of teepee-like rock formations in spectacular detail. Some people still live in these today but a lot of the churches and more extravagant creations have become tourist attractions.


The highlight of the trip was a hot air balloon ride over part of the region. We had to brave frostbite-like weather but it was well worth it.


The cold morning was perfect for flying and with nothing but clear skies and the sun rising slowly our visibility was pretty much perfect.


This was my first hot air balloon ride and I couldn't think of a better place to do it than here.


Cappadocia also brought out the kid in me. Every rock, boulder and anything climbable seemed to be calling my name.


There is a rock called "camel rock" that apparently not a lot of people climb because after I climbed and sat on it, our guide shook my hand and called me spider man!


This place reminds me a lot of Joshua Tree but with a lot more history and mystique.


We also enjoyed a traditional Turkish dance show...all you could eat and drink included!


Eventually our entire table was on the dance floor and I was selected to participate in a Turkish dance where men dance for a young lady's hand.


Apparently I did OK and won. I may now be married according to Turkish tradition. Great success!