The very cave you are afraid to enter turns out to be the source of what you are looking for. -Joseph Campbell
The time to join Refugee Support Europe was nearing. A final “maglobt!” to Arsena’s family and Georgia, and off we went…. after changing the car battery. I guess GG was not able to recharge in the same way as Chance and I. Regardless, once she was running we were rolling to the Turkish border.
Hindsight 2020: Perhaps the hazmat suits and quarantine tents at the border were a fair warning of what was to come. Too bad my laser focus blinded me from the reality around.
So we pressed on over the snowy barren hills, down through multicolored gorges, and through the dry interior of Turkish mining lands.
And in the middle of the desert: Cappadocia. Known locally as Göreme, this is the annoyingly picturesque town all those girls in flowy dresses take pictures of with hot air balloons in the background. What I was not prepared for is how truly stunning Cappadocia is.
Limestone walls protrude from the desert floor in stratified layers of crepe, charcoal, butterscotch, blush, lemonade, and rosewood. The elements have weathered these cliffs into sculptural fascinations, and the Turks have carved them into homes. Our bnb was one such cave house, which offered stunning views over the area and intricately carved walls. The pointy rock structures are also called “fairy chimneys”, and served as pigeon coops, or poop factories for the local agriculture. Every nook had a story, and every canyon displayed a new tableau. It would take weeks to explore every crack and crevice, but we were fortunate enough for 2 days of enchanting wanderings through Göreme. And also three cheers for peaceful off-season travel!
Teşekkür ederim türkiye, my dreams are more vibrant for having met you.
