Last day in Cappadocia

Again with sad news.. the winds continued to plague the valley preventing any ballooning. Today was a slower day. Our tour was lackluster, due to having seen all the good sights yesterday.  We did get to view some comical sights such as Lovers Valley, aptly named for the windswept monoliths shaped like giant penises that littered the valley floor.   We also visited an underground city which would be a claustrophobic nightmare for most as the tunnels connecting the various portions barely fit me and stretched for 50 meters or so with a slight curve so you never knew when they were going to end.  Our guide took us on a short hike and we were able to climb all over ancient ruins that had yet to be ‘touristized’.  It was like exploring a whole new world. The highlight of the day was the group we toured with. A CEO and high school teacher from New Zealand and a young cruise ship paramedic from England. There was no room for bullshit with this group. When offered to tour the leather/carpet/dessert factories we all promptly and appropriately declined, much to the chagrin of our tour guide. We all had great conversations and sighed in nostalgia as the young female paramedic described her hostel and hitchhiking travels. It was a very well traveled group. 

One unforgettable moment during today was when I found myself atop a rooftop bar in Cappadocia, enveloped in the enchanting ambiance of the ancient region. As I lounged on a cushioned couch, a warm windstorm swept through, adding an exhilarating edge to the experience. The view before me was nothing short of breathtaking, with the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia stretching out in all directions, dust clouds and whipping flags in the distance. 

Savoring the rich aroma of apple-flavored hookah, I took slow draws, letting the sweet smoke swirl around me. With each sip of Turkish beer, I savored the crisp, refreshing taste, perfectly complementing the warm breeze and the mesmerizing vista spread out before me. 

We killed time slowly until we drove to the airport.. hoping for more action tomorrow!!