Goreme

Well, first off, let me apologize for the typos. I am using Nathan's mini notebook computer, and I swear unless you have fingers the size of a pixie, you keep hitting the wrong keys. And to go back and fix typos is to risk the internet going down and losing all your work....so,one day I will write a book, and all these tales will be well edited in there.

Where do I begin...what an amazing place! History has new meaning. When you read your old testament stories of the Hittites ...this is the land...this is the beginning of Christendom...I spent a better part of the day today in caves that were hollowed out by 6th Century Christians(more on that later).


Yesterday we went to the Unesco world heritage site - the Open Air Museum. It was a series of caves that were used by early Christians. Inside, some of the artwork was well preserved...frescos of Christ and the disciples.

Today, my day began at 4:30 am with the call to prayer, which is singing 5 times a day over loud speakers, and it is an eery awaking. Interestingly, I decided since I am awake at 4:30, I might as well pray. We then headed out for an early morning hot air balloon ride over the amazing rock formations that make up Cappadocia. It was an incredible site as there were 40 hot air balloons all taking off at the same time, and the skill of the pilots were incredible.

They would have us flying high, and then suddenly sinking so lo0w into the canyons you could touch the weeds growing out the side of the rock formations, Terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. The we headed out n an all day tour which took us to the largest underground city that went 8 stories below the ground...all hollowed out of the rock. These underground tunnels and caverns were for hiding in during ancient times. Up to 3000 people would live down there for several weeks at a time. There were underground schools, and wineries, and churches. The we took a hike through a canyon and saw well preserved churches...again carved out of stove in the clifface of the canyon.


Hermit munks spent 1000 years...from the 6th century to the 16th century hollowing out cathedral caves. Nathan climbed high into the mountain. I was sure he was going to be lost forever in there...finally he stuck his head out an opening, and I was amazed that the monastery in the mountain went so high. Hundreds and hundreds of feet of tunnels and stairs and rooms, all carved out of the rock.




Pictures will never do what we saw today justice, but I will try to post some soon. The internet is quite slow here, so it may be too difficult, but I know I will be able to catch up in India - where internet is always good.

Another interesting things that happened today, is people kept wanting to take my picture. I have been wearing a colourful headscarf and long skirt - which while not necessary in Turkey, is appreciated by local Muslim villagers...anyway, a couple of times, men from Europe asked if they could photograph me...said I was just too beautiful and colourful not to photograph. One was a professional writer and photographer...who knows, perhaps i will show up in one of his books!

Well, tomorrow we are off to the south of the country on the Mediterranean coast. I am so cold, i just have t0 head south. It has been very cold here, and since we are mostly travelling to hot countries, we did not really pack for cold. So tomorrow, another overnight bus trip...but well woth it to feel the heat. Love to all.