Today was spent exploring some special areas of Kapadokya. The incredible natural landscape has been adapted for housing, fortresses and churches in amazing fashion.
The first site we went to was an underground city, constructed to protect citizens from invaders. This was one of 38 in the area and more are expected to be found.
We filed through small tunnels waist high to get to rooms that had various purposes and Burhan explained how they managed daily tasks such as cooking, making wine and toileting in such a way as to not give any clue to attackers. This one was inhabited by persecuted Christians. It made us realise what a soft life we live.
Everywhere we went today there were souvenir stalls and drink sellers. We needed to keep drinking in the heat which exceeded 30C again. At the next stop there was a large jewellery shop where we were given a talk on turquoises and other gems. Lyn bought a tablecloth at a nearby stall. Here we had a good view of the valley.
Blue eye talismans were for sale to ward off the evil eye, which has been a worry for 4000 years from the time of the Hittites. They also hung from trees.
Camels were a popular subject for photographs.
We pulled in for lunch at cave restaurant carved into a hillside. We walked through a tunnel to an area that could handle 500 meals a day.
A musician played the Turkish Kahnu, which looks like a horizontal harp and has 57 strings. The food was excellent and served efficiently. The Maitre d' demonstrated clay pot cooking and danced with the ladies.
Then on to a Pottery School, Chez Gapin, who is the Einstein of pot making. You must train for six years to be his colleague. There were hundreds of beautiful plates and vases for sale.
We moved on to an exposed area where we visited several rock cave churches dating back to as far as the ninth century.
We were able to rest at the hotel from 5pm to 7:30pm then partied at another cave restaurant until 11pm. The entertainment was provided by dancers doing Turkish and Caucasian dances. Excellent performers. We left the camera behind tonight and just enjoyed the party.
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