Cappadocia Turkey

Unfortunately it has been impossible to get an internet signal in Turkey, granted we've been in the middle of nowhere but it really has thrown a wrench in my blogging plans.

I still have SO much to describe and post about Berlin, but Turkey has just been so fascinating I can't help but update you on that first.

We spent almost two weeks exploring this ancient town.

I learned towards the end of the trip that Cappadocia is listed in several books as a "must see before you die" city.

In prehistoric periods the first humans constructed tunnels of underground cities in the volcanic rock formations.  All throughout the land you can see these tunnels/caves that have been carved out and visit the underground cities.  Apparently the first Christians escaped Roman prosecution in these caves so there are over 300 churches throughout making it a scared Bible land for many Christian tourists.

We've had terrible luck with all our electronic devices on this trip so either we've lost chargers or broken cameras so we've missed out on some incredible photos, but other people in our group had cameras so hopefully I can still share most of it.

Jason's first weekend off, a bunch of us rented a bus and they took us on a tour to view some of the most famous attractions.  During the week while he worked there wasn't much for us to do since pushing a stroller up these monster hills was giving me a serious backache.  And it wasn't like I was going to explore the dark caves with Harlow by myself, I've seen way to many horror films to do anything like that.

Harlow on the bus

Me checking out the rock forms

 The call this one
The Camel

The Penguins, can you see it?

Behind Jason and Harlow to the left is Napoleon's hat.

Jason embracing the culture

Harlow and Hunter

By the little shop up top we climbed up into another little church

The Church

 View from the tiny church

Me and Maria, Hunter's mama and my saving grace :)

We visited Avanos a city known for it's handmade pottery.  They showed us how they make everything and we were able to take a tour and watch the ladies paint these crazy patterns by hand without a stencil.

Check out this guy sort the clay with his bare hands.

This guy used a foot wheel to make a sugar pot, the legend is you spin the top first then the pot if the top fits you will be married, if not you won't.

We went to one of the many underground cities that was 5 stories under the ground, my camera died but I was able to use someone elses, I just haven't put them on my computer yet, so next post.

For lunch we enjoyed the well known pottery kebobs.  They cook the meat in pottery and use a ball of dough to close off the top, when it's ready to eat they break it open with the blunt side of a big knife.  Delicious!!!!

Watch Jason break it open.