I spent the day hiking and shooting over 1000 photos in the Southern Turkey region of Cappadocia. I would venture to guess the day was over 3000 vertical feet if totaled. It was amazing I found I am hooked on a natural snack named dut which is a flower of a tree, and I can’t get enough now. I even stopped at a local nut and fruit roaster and got some as well as some roasted apricot pits which taste like almonds.
One of the highlights beyond the natural geological beauty and historical sites and fresco paintings in Gereme open air museum, Zelve and Cappadocia was the unbelievable hospitality of Turkish people of all cultures.Today after hiking we returned via a rural road in a valley and noticed some local village farmers with one woman up in a tree shaking it to knock down apples on a handmade woven blanket and another assisting. They saw us asked where I was from and then proceeded to give us the best apples I have very tasted ever and each a large bunch of fresh picked grapes which were amazing. Simply amazing and had me shocked at the friendliness.
I have had so many ask where I was from and go out of their way to make me feel welcome. I did not think I would get out of the stone seed roasting store tonight once they realized I was an American as they kept giving me free samples of all the many Turkish treats. The treats, snacks, food, and people are top notch! The culture can be a shock at first, but the Turkish people make you feel so very welcome. If you are at all concerned on safety, there are many police and military around to prevent any type of problems and it is a safe moderate place.
Turkey is one place that one does not have to worry about politics affecting local peoples hospitality and friendliness, I did not have to fib and say I was Canadian ay. ;-)
Wait till I start posting more of the spectacular places off the beaten tourist paths and my last nights scorpions catching and photos. I fell pretty good once and my shoulder is not feeling so good but it is all worth it. Also how many know and love Autodesk products here but not necessarily the price. I did however manage to accidently format one CF card with a half days photos and am now trying to recover them…
I have one more day in Southern Turkey then head back on the 10 hour drive to Istanbul then off to hot and sunny Kuwait.