Cappadocia

We made it to Cappadocia on Tuesday, July 3. One interesting item from the flight was that the pre-flight instruction video features children acting as flight attendants, pilots and passengers. Sure to get one's attention. The kids thought that was entertaining.

Cappadocia is a very ancient city, one of the territories of the Hittites 4,000 years ago. About 10 Million years ago (who knows for sure!) 3 volcanoes erupted in the area, resulting in explosive products from Mts Hassan, Erciyes and Meldendiz, dropping lavas, and helped form the out door scultpure gardens of improbable rock formations. They seem like mythical geological formations. Some of these "fairy chimneys" are more than 3000 feet high.

In the Act 2:9, Cappadocians were among the people who received the word on Pentecost. It is known for its fairly chimneys, hot air balloons, and the saga of the early Christians.

Over the centuries, Cappadocians adapted to the geology and geography, building their churches and homes into the rocks. Our hotel, for instance, is literally hewed into the rock. The doors, window are smoothed opening on the rock. Mustapha, our hotel owner said that the cave hotel was his family home (he was born in this cave house) which the family modified into a 6 room B&B which he later expanded to 12 rooms. It feels like an upgraded cave. The buildings have creative ventilation system, stairs and flooring.

Goreme Outdoor Museum (UNESCO heritage site)

The outdoor museum here brings one closer to the lives of the early Christians in the area, in a way most Christians today can never relate. To appreciate the challenges, one has to remember that Christianity was banned; seen as an evil religion. Those who practiced it did so at their peril; once found, they are killed.

The Cappadocia Christian found refuge in the rocks. Within first 200 years on Christ's death, they established local bishoprics  Their churches and homes were hewed into the rock. They buried their own inside these rocks. They later created undergound cities housing more thnt 20,000 people.

Inside these churches and chapels are ancient drawings representing different stories from the old testament and the life of the early christians.

 

 And some of them were buried in these churches:

Ballooning in Cappadocia

We went on hot air balloon ride in the early hours. We all woke up at 4:30 am for the ride to the launching site. Our driver seemed lost for a while, but we got to the site on time. We watched as the balloon got inflated. There were 16 of us for our balloon. We entered the compartment for the ride of a life-time. We were up more than 3500 feet, looking down on the fairy chimneys.

The 1+ hour ride was a perfect way to appreciate the expansive and diverse landscape. Kaan, our entertaining and experienced pilot took us to the tips of the hills and rock, brought us very low to the valleys, and so high that we would see the magnificent landscape. 

The ride ended with a champagne toast (kids had juice) and presentation of certificate to all
participants.

 Certificate for Obi

We were back at the hotel by 8:00 am for breakfast.

Hiking  through the Trails

We went on a mini-hike through the trails, climbing to the top of the hills, rocks and valleys. Walked through some of ancient churches, caves and tunnels. We picked apricots and cherries.