Leaving Cappadocia

This part of Turkey has been a real treat. Just look at some of these pics, tall phallic spires often known as 'Fairy Chimneys'. Erosion has caused these amazing formations, and often people have moved into them to make their homes here. This part of Turkey has been occupied this way since the time of the Hittites, that is 6000 BC. Just think about that. As I wandered in the dryness...I found an enterprising man who sold fresh squeezed orange juice...and we find it hard sometimes to organise a cup of coffee after Sunday mass!

We had lunch with a family whose home is a converted cave, and the family have lived there for 200 years (top left). The father was born in the cave house.The meal was home cooked and very traditional. Goreme, the heart of this province, is on the original Silk Road from Shanghai to Constantinople (Istanbul) and tonight I wandered through buildings that are now carpet and souvenir shops, but in the 12th century were caravan stopover taverns.

We leave here in the morning to go to Ankara (the capital) then overnight by train to Istanbul. Troy and I have an extra day in Istanbul to travel to the famous sites of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Cisterns. I hope to do a blog from there. We then leave for Jerusalem to regain and begin our retreat followed by the biblical and cultural studies. So now, to a different change of pace.
This page is dedicated to the those people in my life who are elderly, and to those who care for them. May we all learn from their wisdom, life experience and dedication.