Antik Cave House Nevsehir

... when we saw them, before we even made it to the look out point.

More riding around brought us back to the rental place content but tired a little before 4:00 PM. We'd been scootering for 3 and a half hours. We'd thought we only needed a 2 hour rental, but apparently the 4 hour rental had really been the right mood.

But, of course, we were exhausted and we'd seen a lot. We decided to take a short nap before our 5:30 ATV riding tour...

A cave is a ...

... Our smiley waiter was really sure he'd figured her out..."Venezuela!?" Phoenix could certainly pass for Hispanic and I'm convinced he simply threw out the only Spanish-speaking country he knew how to say in English. Haha, he sure was smiley.

But the highlight of the meal came when he brought out our food. Everyone was served before Phoenix...he was saving his best for last...

In a triumphant motion he brought down the plate, pleased with his creation ...

... 305;ven breaks every 20 to 30 mınutes (dependıng on the kınd of weavıng they are doıng), pays ınto the health care and socıal securıty system for them, and so on. It also subsıdızes shıppıng ıf you choose to buy somethıng. Booth and I walked ın there KNOWING that we were not ın the market for a carpet. Turns out we were wrong.....)

Then back to the hotel for dınner ...

... lifts and made it from Yerevan to Turkey without spending a penny on transport. The experience had brought home an important realisation however. Hitching isn't free. It's hard work. Standing on the side of the road isn't such a chore- you just smile and wave and usually some good soul will pick you up within an hour. The real work begins once you get inside. Most truckers pick you up because they want someone to talk to ...

... down 320 steps (seemed like way more on the way up...not gonna lie) to enter the valley. The hiking path followed the river on either side, though it was frequently broken up with rock formations which we had to navigate our way through. There were also frequent churches carved into the rocks forming the walls of the valley, several of which we visited on our walk. We had an enjoyable hike despite the rain, and took a lunch break when we got to the next village, Bellisirma. Our ...

... First the Romans and later the Muslims all relentlessly persecuted early believers who retreated to this area to survive and to worship. As their numbers grew, so did the number of churches which finally numbered around five thousand allowing Christianity to not only survive but evolve as well. We didn't see five thousand churches hewn out of the rock, but we did see quite a few. Our first ones were most impressive. The Goreme open-air museum contains some of the greatest surviving ...

... she did not see the world revolving over there...). Soon enough, our guide sped back to the bus and we watched Boobs MacGilligy and Blonde Ambition sauntered behind apparently in no hurry to join us so we could move along. Back on the bus and off to the Monastery. This is another interesting and amazing sight. Tour leaders used to tell visitors that the opening scene of Star Wars was shot at this location. They have now changed the ...

Well, after almost a week here I'm heading out of Cappadocia. It's been a great little place to hang out and do lots of hiking. I was going to say lots of relaxing, but I was out every day walking, walking, and walking. The landscape is really quite ...

... And the weather is not helping. Last week it was *******ly hot, with temperatures over 43 (33 in the shade at 11:30 am) and this week it turned cold with gusty winds. The wind has not stopped blowing for three solid days. Excavation and strong winds are a very bad combination. I went on site just for an hour and my face was blasted with fine dirt and I could barely see, nevermind try to work. The wind has been blowing all through the night as well and for ...

... even without the many signs of human habiation. They were used as homes, and storage, for hundreds of years....and some appear to still be in use. There are also many pigeon roosts carved into the rocks.....there are wonderful views of Pigeon Valley from a roadside overlook (and shopping stop).The land is flat plateaus on top with these wonderful long valleys of sandy/grey colored rocks. We had been for a walk down throught the village....but this time we were going over.