My Post-Sabbatical Year(s) in Asia (or wherever): 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.