Cappadocia and Goreme (the town where we are staying) is incredible. It resembles Zion national park - on steriods! We are staying in a beautiful hotel and our room resembles a cavern much like the ruins all around us. It is amazing to realize that people have been living here in these carved out caves for 2000 years or more. Some of the earliest known churches are located here - carved into the the rock walls.
At one of the open air museums we saw this local lady sewing scarves and asked to take her photograph. She politely sat through the set up of my flash gear and I just emailed a copy of her portrait to her. Here is one I did of her hands:
- Hands
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At one of the rock formations we stopped at for late afternoon pictures, we ran into this odd horse. The poor thing had a big hump in the middle of its back and it walked funny. It also had a face that only a mother could love! Sort of reminded me of an old cigarette ad for some reason. I think I'll call him Joe.
- Camel
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The apricot trees were in full bloom as well as other local trees that bear a fruit similiar to an olive and had the most beautiful lavendar blossoms. The contrast between the stone and the delicate blossoms is just amazing.
- Cappadocia dwellings and fairy tale chimneys
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It turned out to be such a clear day that we had a very unusual view of the 14,000 foot volcano that is responsible for this unusual landscape and incredible scenery. We rushed back to Goreme to catch the fading sunset on this snow covered mountain. The final effect reminds me of Mount Fuji in Japan.
- Mount Erciyas
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Tomorrow we have to get up early for the hot air balloon ride and we are going to see the Whirling Dirvishes, so hopefully we will have time to post.
Later!
