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Published: October 7th 2015
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Pigeon Valley
This valley is named for the many pigeons that lived here at one time. The people used the eggs to assist in the colours and the droppings for the fertiliser for crops Kapadokya (Cappadocia) is an area in middle of Turkey on the Asian continent. It has snow in winter and we were told some very hot days 35+ degrees in summer. The topography here is interesting. There have been a few volcanoes erupt in the last 60 million plus years and the resulting ash and lava has left the area with reasonably soft sandstone. This sandstone is impacted by the wind and rain over the centuries to leave odd looking structures known as fairy chimneys.
In this region, there has been evidence of the Hittites then Romans then Turks from 1071. The Turks came from Central Asia. In 1299 the Ottoman Empire took over the area and in 1453 Istanbul captured and made the Turkish capital.
The hills and fairy chimneys have also been used over the last eight millennium to fashion houses for the population (since about 6000 BC). In this area you can find Underground cities first built by Hittites in 6th century BC. Christians lived in the area after 2nd Century AD.
The Hittites built 2 floors down, but Christians built another 2 floors down, making 4 floors underground. There are tunnels between the communities living
A room in the underground city
There were many rooms in the underground cities. The entire population could live underground in the 2nd century AD underground and they can be up to 9 kms long. Christians in 2nd century AD lived in the underground cities when they were being hunted by roman soldiers, but they lived in cave houses at other times. Now most cave houses are hotels or restaurants for the tourist. Would be an interesting experience. Apparently cool in summer and warm in winter.
Currently 6 families still live in cave houses in this area with the support of the government. Apparently they want to measure the rate of deterioration while the caves are being used. The families can't change the houses at all but they all have running water and electricity. No inside toilet though.We visited the Open Air Museum of Goreme. This areas has UNESCO protection. It is a fascinating set of cave houses that have been used as a Monastery from 4th century AD for orthodox Christians. Both boys and girls were educated in religion at this place. The monastery and the churches here were used for many centuries by Christians. Even though much of Turkey followed Islam at that time,
Hot Air Balloons
Didn't get up into the sky, but the whole event was pretty amazing. Would have been about 40 balloons being set up with about 12 people per balloon. So about 500 people were disappointed that morning this area still had many Christians here until 1923 when there was a swap with Greece -Christians for Muslims at the end of the civil war. The hot air balloon trip was cancelled as it was too windy but we saw the balloons being prepared. That in itself was really enjoyable. Disappointed but ok with it all. I think we could have spent 2 nights and 1 and 1/2 days here. Would always have a guide though. The people here are great and helpful but a lot still gets lost in translation. Our guide was with Neon tours. Her name is Sinem. She really knew her stuff but could also help with the practical stuff like where to get cooking books written in English and picking up on my flight itinerary that I had arranged to be taken to the wrong airport. Just as well she spotted that. We would have been a bit cross to find ourselves 1.5 hrs away from the correct airport on our way back to Istanbul.
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