I am now in what has to be one of the most unusual, breathtaking, awe-strikingly beautiful places on Earth! Goreme in the region of Cappadocia, Turkey. Photos and words cannot do it justice.
Goreme is a microcosm set in stone. Literally. I feel like Wilma Flintstone or Betty Rubble. Or, better yet, a Mesopotamian (although I don't think Mesopotamia stretched this far, perhaps only the southeastern corner of Turkey.) It is a hiker's, off-road biker's, and trail runner's dream. The people are so friendly--friendly like the Fijians and Mauritians, ok, and the Kiwis, Trev M8! I am being treated like a princess. :)
Today I ran and biked on trails through several valleys with "stone dunes" everywhere!! They definitely have hills! Here's a tip: trail riding and taking pictures don't mix. Yes, I ate it! On the ground with both feet still clipped in!
Made a new friend who has a bike shop a stone's throw away from my cave hotel-the Kelebek Hotel-my new favorite. Needed a couple of new screws for my brakes, et voila. There appears Ahdem! Quite frankly I've met so many wonderful people here. Adhem, though, made me feel secure biking down hills:)
The bike is attracting quite a bit of attention, and is striking up quite a bit of conversation with the locals. "Come, sit, have some tea...and tell me about your bike..."
Good time to be in Turkey as the Kurdish Government Party has declared an 8-month cessation of terrorism to further the "discussions" of their woes. This came after this past Sunday's suicide bomber's attack in a popular square in Istanbul. (The square was full of tourists, but they were aiming for the police--phew!)
My boutique hotel has an amazing Turkish bath. That's where I'm heading...
I think I am in heaven.
Gule gule,
Jo
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