|
We
wanted to cycle from Isanbul to Capadocia, through rural areas of Turkey
during about two weeks. Unfortunately, after only 90 kilometeres, Maya's
knees were causing trouble again. We had to return to Istanbul to see
a doctor and could not continue the journey as planned. Following doctor's
advice, we had to stay in Istanbul for another week and take a bus to
reach Capadocia. It was a major disadvantage not to cycle through the
country as planned. We missed out on the opportunity to talk with rural
Turks, the inhabitants of smaller seaside towns as well those living in
Konya, a more conservative and religious city in the centre of the country.
In
the fairy tale land of Capadocia we spent Christmas with agents Fulup
and Nico who visited from France. They went for beautiful rides in the
countryside with Bram while Maya stayed at the pension relaxing with a
good SF book or concentrating with the laptop computer on which these
pages are created. We enjoyed our time in Capadoccia, hiking through the
many weird and wonderful valleys around the town of Goreme where we stayed.
Here the past has carved tremendous forms and shapes which will remain
for a long time into the future. Man has lended the forces of nature a
helping hand in forging the mystical qualities of this environement: in
many of the 'fairy chimney' rocks, doors and windows were made, to form
enchanting caves where even today people dwell.
|
