Well I planned wrong and got stuck in Göreme for 1 extra day. Not too bad but I kind of need to be rushing because there is still a lot to cover and rather little time.
Anyway, I just did a day tour of the area and it was very cool. They took us to an underground city, the monastery in Selime, a canyon walk and a bunch of other places. Göreme and the area around Kappadokya has such a long history for Christians. Every interesting site here is an ancient church or some Christian thingy. The Christians from the earliest time were already persecuted and so many of them hid in underground tunnels and rock caves that are strewn across Kappadokya. They definitely led a hard life for the faith. Most of the churches are from the 8th to 11th century. Some go back as far as the 4th century and so says the tour guide. Many have beautiful frescoes painted inside the churches/caves once upon a time but are now destroyed by erosion, light and people.
On my spare time (when I wasn't on tours), I did a few walking tours by myself. They were definitely the best part of the stay here in Kappadokya. The walks are so scary because you never really know for sure if you are on the right path - nothing is marked out properly. I really shouldn't be cheapo and should pay for the guides. Anyway, you rely on some hotel map that can be almost thrown away the minute you get on the trails. I feared getting lost or being stuck in the wild at night. Also some of these trails are on the mountain side and some goes through big rocks so slipping will not be a pretty sight. The great thing about the walks are you never know what to expect; sometimes I turn a corner or climb over a rock and I see a deserted church cave or a magnificent overview of the land. This evening I was almost panicky worried (because it was 7:30 and I was afraid to be stuck in the wild at night) and I climbed out the valley and there was a gorgeous view of the land. Much to my relief, there was also a very wide path leading to town. It was like playing an RPG only you could not save the game and retry - a real bummer if I died. Also no "sword of a thousand truths".
6 comments:
trust you to equate this to an rpg game quest. "sword of a thousand truths" somemore. =Þ
Hi Jason, just found out you are traveling again... wow! Hope you have a fruitful trip! See ya soon.
wow bro, keep updating, hope it's not too much of a terrible RPG. Can't wait to see your pictures. Hope you have gained some positive insights so far. Remember to always be very careful and alert! Take care and have fun. We've been praying for you.
Ahh.. not being to save or teleport is quite inconvenient... that's why ya should have brought Mr. Lim's N95 with GPS! haha
Take care n have fun!
Haha! Mr. Lim's N95 doesn't have Turkey map in it, so it maybe useless to you. But you can take nice video clips & pictures of your adventures with it. And also play your favourite annoying ring tones such as ...ring ring..(you know what next...)
Enjoy your Turkey adventure...but do take care though...
Well I won't want to get the fragile N95 wet or lost.
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