Christmas in Cappodoccia, TURKEY 2009: Americans in Turkey – Day 8

Merry Christmas.
If I have the time correct, it’s Christmas morning in California and NY and Hawaii and Chicago and NY and Phoenix; and it’s already evening here in Turkey, and in some other places where this email is headed.  So Merry Merry..

There is no sign of Christmas here in Turkey … No Santas, no decorations, no singing.
We spent a wonderful day today exploring dozens of magical centuries-old communities built into the rock formations here in Urgup, Goreme, Avanos, and a several other towns nearby. The weather has been perfect. We hiked about a mile and a half — pretty steep terrain — into one of the cave areas to see one of thousands of “cave churches;” it’s really hard to describe the formations and the remains of these settlements. Maybe “lost in space?” or “mushroom villages”… They refer to them hear as “fairytale chimney villages”.. That works for me.

What’s really fantastic is seeing contemporary life going on literally next door to some of these places and/or inside them.

The Yunak Evrli Hotel is still quite amazing; seeing it in daylight was even better than night time. And our little 750 sq ft cave works just fine; getting used to all the levels.

I’m convinced that the tool that’s revolutionizing the globe is the cell phone. It’s quite funny to see them used by everyone from ages 8 to 80… in these very remote places. And of course it’s been great that Mike and I are carrying phones, so we can locate each other — which is sometimes a problem. I’m totally amazed that reception is as good as it is.. We are often separated by our wanderings.. and then a quick call.. and we at least know the other is still alive.. describing where we each are is another matter!

We’re glad we decided to stay here for four days. I gather most people just fly in for a day or overnight. There’s tons to see. Tomorrow we’re going to do the 4-mile hike in the Ilhyara Valley and also head to several more towns in the vicinity.

We’re off to dinner now to try the “manti”.. which is a specialty of this region.. described as Turkish ravioli.. but I think they are dumplings filled with lamb and yogurt.. I’ll let you know tomorrow.

Ciao –

Fern

PS to Andy — Did you see us waving from the “window” of the cave in Goreme? We were trying to find you.