Cappadocia Sept 18

Cappadocia September 18, 2009

Just when you think you've seen all things wonderful in Turkey you get to go to Cappadocia.
The region of soft volcanic rock has been sculpted by nature into pillars and columns of fantastic shapes.

In recent history (like 400 AD) it was changed by human hands into habitations, now there are stunning caves and underground cities.

We visited several cave chapels which had been used by the 4th century christians. By the 12th century they were still being used and you could still see the frescoes that had been added with painted on the walls. Almost all of them have been defaced to some degree. Perhaps by vandals, maybe by natural causes. Generally the faces were gone so it seems like vandals are the more likely cause.

I couldn't help but feel the sadness they must have experienced, hiding from those who wanted to kill them but also the feeling of a sense of community and oneness living with thousands of others in these various apartment-like caves.

There were hundreds, if not thousands, of other tourists there too. Some from Asia, some from Europe. We felt like the only ones to speak English.