Cappadocia is along the trade route that joined the East with the West and the road taken by the Arab armies as they advanced against the Byzantines. It was for this reason that during the 7th through the 12th centuries AD, the people of this area were under a constant threat of unfriendly armies. The Christians who inhabited these lands excavated massive underground towns and villages. These areas were truly underground 'settlements'. In times of danger they could provide shelter to thousands of people. They had several floors and many large rooms.
I visited one of these cities and I tried to take photos inside it but unfortunately the camera could not properly process the underground ambiance. The corridors were very narrow, dark and the ceilings so low. Not good for claustrophobic people, I thought.
Outside, I felt that I was breathing the atmosphere of a truly area of untouched countryside. Birds of different species, chirping beautifully. Sometimes they brought to my mind the image of children playing hide and seek... livestock calmly pasturing... poultry enjoying freedom... a little boy looking happy with his bicycle... craftswomen selling folk dolls... peasants farming the land and... on the horizon, a snow-mantled mountain dominating the valley... The weather was glorious and the setting idyllic!
I left that area feeling happy for having looked at those rural people. There was something powerful in their carefree faces that we, who live in urban centers, have somehow forgotten.
Shortly after leaving that place, it started raining heavily. No problem. The next stop would be for lunch after which I visited another caravanserai (merchants'stop on the ancient sik road). Before returning back to the resort hotel in Antalya, a stop at a local market. Handicrafts and spices were on sale side-by-side with counterfeit versions of prestigious clothing and accessories makes: Burberry, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Prada and many others, not to refer counterfeit branded cosmetics and perfumes.... unbelievable!
When the sun was about to set, I had reached the Hotel. At the restaurant, once again skillfully carved watermelons added a very beautiful presentation to the buffet tables.
On the two following and last days of my stay, I would embark on my own adventures, again....
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