4/30: Parent letters

I guess it could be argued that all moments in time are equally important, for they were all necessary to bring you to the place where you are right now. But then again, there are times when events converge, and something significant and maybe even transformative occurs. Today was one of those times.

For the last couple of years we have asked parents to write a letter to their child, sharing with their child the hopes and dreams they have for him or her. We share this letter with the student about half way through the Global Studies trip. Today was that day of sharing.

 We walked east from the hotel into Pigeon Valley.

 Pigeon Valley

 We found a small but nice open area where three valleys came together.  Eli started this class meeting asking the students to share things they missed. Students talked about family, music, food, internet, clean clothes, and other items they may have taken for granted. Then he led the discussion toward appreciations, and once again, students shared things they appreciated about home. And now the space was ready for these letters. Students were asked to to enter a space of quiet, then find a private place to read their letters. They were told to bring their journals, in case they felt the urge to write. They were told to stay in this place for one hour, and then return to the circle. 

Kyle in his quiet space

Meg in her quiet space

Last night Eli and I talked about travel and life and transformation. I mentioned to him that leading this Global Studies trips does not satisfy my urge to travel, for there is so much to take care of, so much logistics, so much responsibility. The value I get from leading these trips is vicariously - watching the students, listening to their words, being part of the process of opening up the world to these young souls. And every trip feels like a blessing to me. I am so appreciative to able to witness this transformation.

Today was no different. I will share with you what some of what the students shared after we came back together.

"Obviously my parents love me and I've always known that, but they also understand me in a way I did not realize."

"Even though we are only half way through the trip, I felt like I wanted to start my final trip reflection. So I did."

"I want to be more a part of the team of my family. I think my parents overestimate me. I want to be more of who they see me as."

Before, I didn't really think much about my brother going off to college next year.  And now I realize what a big hit that will be for me."

"When you are young you can believe you can be anything, no matter how untrue that may be. But it really hit home to hear how much my parents believe in me."

"I had to read the letter a few more times before I understood how my parents saw me as a person, and how I can complete the challenge they set for me."

"I won't say that I felt a new sense of self, but I felt a new sense of relationship to my family and friends."

"I saw all of these people's names and it made me remember how much they care about me."

"I've been telling people I am now a man. But a piece of paper from your Bar Mitzvah saying you are a man doesn't make you a man. I thought a lot about that."

"I thought no one really got me and how I work because I'm a quirky person, but after reading the letter I realized that my parents and brother do get me and how I work."

There were a lot of tears, a lot of hand holding, and a lot of support. There were some people who felt regret, who felt loss, who felt disappointed in who they are. But there was also a lot of love and a lot of appreciation. I shared with the students the image of a large rock being placed in a smooth, still pond, and the slow outward ripples it creates. We have no idea the impact we have on others. There are so many connections that we cannot feel or see. Don't ever give up that fantasy that you can change the world, or that you can make a difference, because you can.

4/29: Cappadocia

My favorite quote on the trip so far. I gave Sherree, one of the chaperones, an option of this or that, and she replied, "I want it all."

                                         

Cappadocia means "Land of beautiful horses."

Cave church in Goreme's Open Air Museum.

Sara, Lara and Nathaniel in a cave church

A group of school children from Hatay who befriended me.

In the town of Cavusin

Cappadocia is known for more than just its crazy geography. It is famous in Turkey for its pottery. We have even had a number of clay pot dishes during our meals here.

I just liked the colors of the oranges and pomegranates.

The new town of Cavusin in the background.

The old town of Cavusin. Our guide told us people were living in this cliff village up until the 1960's, when the government forced everyone out due to safety reasons.

Zamir and Nathaniel

Chaperone Eric (also known as Indiana Jones) with Amelia and Micaela

A church cave in the old town of Cavusin.

Students listening to our local guide tell about the church caves. 

There are a thousand church caves in Cappadocia. No one knows how old they are. Many were build in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. The paintings on the walls and ceilings can be dated. This church cave was painted in the 11th century, and used through the 16th century. Many of the church caves were hidden, first from the Romans, and later from the invading Arab armies. Some of the church caves were destroyed by in-fighting within the Christian community - those who believed that images of Jesus were just as holy as Jesus himself, and others seeing this as idol worship. This may have also been due to the growing influence of Islam, that does not allow any human images. 

From Cavusin we walked through the environment to the fairy chimneys of Pasabagi.

There is something about this desert geography that put me in a contemplative mood, reminding me of my childhood. 

Someone may be born in Seattle and find other environments attractive, but I believe this person will always have a place in their heart for that lush,wet environment of their birth. For me it is the desert. Sometimes this affinity for this environment feels so deep in me, almost as if it is genetic. But for me it is even more, for the desert was my savior. Being a child growing up in Las Vegas is probably the same as a child's existence anywhere, but being a teenager in Las Vegas can be a very dangerous thing. Las Vegas in the early 70's  was not the diverse city it is today. It was a monoculture - everything was connected and dependent on gambling. So the pull towards bright lights, makeup and disco was very strong. I found my escape in the desert. So for me, the desert is not only tied to my roots and a place of incredible beauty, but I am also indebted to the desert, and grateful to the desert for providing me a refuge. 

                                   

Eli among the "fairy chimneys" of Pasabagi.

Trip leader Eli, in a moment of awe (or is it "aaahhh").

This photo is for Anna and Treska

April 28th: Cappadocia

We spent all morning walking through the Red and Rose valleys, heading to the town of Cavusin.

Eric had a great idea: draw two axes in the sand. The X axis represents how much you want to explore. The Y axis represents how fast you want to walk. Then each student placed themselves on the Cartesian coordinate graph. Then students were bunched up together into groups, each with at least one adult, and off we went.  Not only did I love this idea because it was an application of mathematics, but also because it so clearly and easily placed students into like-minded groups, which allowed everyone to participate at their own pace. 

I ended  up with the slowest walking group. This fit my disposition perfectly because I really don't like being restricted in any way (like many of my students). I want to wander, or sit, or go off the trail.

It was a beautiful day and the scenery was spectacular. 

It was really difficult editing this pictures. Around every corner was another beautiful view. 

And the wifi here at our hotel is so slow. To upload these 26 pictures was taking for ever, so I shut off all the power serving devices and let the program run all night long. when I woke up, only 23 pictures had been uploaded.

Ethan in a cave.

Inside a cave church.

Alicia at a cave entrance. I want to believe she was doing some deep contemplation. but who knows.

Two hours into the hike, we came across this little cave shop in the middle of nowhere. 

Tansule, our tour operator, in the cave shop.

We bought delicious pomegranate/orange juice. 

My juice

My wife Christy loves pomegranates, so whenever I come across the fruit, I need to purchase it. So this photo is for you, Christy. 

Painting on the ceiling of a cave church.

The old town of Cavusin.

For those of you who are following my travel blog for the first time, I should explain that I started blogging during the year I spent in Asia from August 2009 through August 2010. About half way through that year, I took a photo of some beautiful laundry drawing on a line near the sea in Pondicherry, India. From that moment a theme grew. I ended up taking laundry shots all over the world. So, this is my first laundry shot on this trip.

Dinner: stuffed peppers in a yogurt sauce, and mixed grilled vegetables. 

4/29:

I woke up this morning and headed to the roof restaurant, to be surprised by dozens of hot air balloons.

Balloons and laundry