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Fifteen of us signed up for the optional balloon ride. The shuttle met us at 4 a.m. We ate breakfast while waiting to see if the wind would die down enough for the flights. Finally it was a go. Our pilot had us climb into the basket while it was on its side in order to weigh down the basket while the balloon was inflating. When we were airborne Mustafa (pilot) told us that the wind at take-off was 17 knots. That was the record for him. I counted 25 other balloons across the sky. We floated over the fairy chimneys and patchwork farms below. Champagne and snacks were awaiting us when we landed.
TurkeyThrills
#6
Hot air balloon ride
CAPPADOCIA
The landscape here is very "other worldly." Strange geologic formations have been sculpted by erosion. We are staying in the village of Mustafapaşa at a lovely hotel, Old Greek House. I couldn't stop taking pictures during our village walking tour. Each house had a uniquely painted wooden door.
Land of fairy chimneys
Happy Birthday to you
TurkeyThrills
#5
Lunch with the locals
The bus took us to a little town were we met Fahriye and her family. Her family had lived generation after generation in this house for 200 years. We were led to a room with benches and pillows along four walls and big open windows blowing gauzy curtains. Fahriye had been cooking all day in preparation. We were served tomato salad, slow-cooked beans, rice pilaf and chunks of homemade bread. Dessert was a juicy peach. Burak translated so we could ask Fahriye questions. I felt so relaxed (and full). It was a lovely experience. Mary Ann modeled traditional clothes: baggy pants and a head scarf.
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Burak surprised me with a birthday cake. I can't think of another place I would rather have been on my birthday. After dinner we danced and listened to traditional musicians.
The Göreme open air museum offers a chance to explore rock-hewn churches from the 10th century. Some still retain the original frescos.
Göreme open-air museum
Carpets, carpets everywhere
It's rare in Turkey to have a chance to see the beautiful hand woven carpets without the high pressure sales tactics. So, I appreciated the chance to go to a carpet manufacturer to see how the silk is spun from silkworms and a demonstration of how the threads are woven on the looms. About 100 carpets were unrolled for us as we learned the difference in designs from region to region and how to spot the best quality.