Turkish Delights

So far Cappadochia has been quite swell to me. I’ve been a bit lazy the past week, basically spending any solo free time out on the patio at FCI or skyping with some loved ones. Unal has been kind enough to take me out on a few excursions, which have been delightful. I hope to venture out for some longer day activities soon.

It doesn’t surprise me in the least that my favorite part of being here is meeting people from all over the world. I’ve already made some great friends with some guests that come to stay here. Two girls have been from Seattle and one of them even lives in Ballard! What are the chances of that? The first guests to make an impression on me is Joe and his family from Montreal. His daughter Acacia just spent a semester in India studying something along the lines of religion and ethics. They are QUITE the delightful family. Joe was even nice enough to serenade Unal and I one afternoon while we were having lunch. We brought him a guitar and he played us some great renditions of “Moondance” and other great oldies. I wish I had photographed this moment but I was enjoying it so much I didn’t get up to get my camera. Be believe me, it was marvelous. I already miss him and his family so much! Joe had some great stories to share…he left home at 21 for 6 months aborad but came home 3 years later because he made his way all the way around the world. Such a great spirit.

Emily and I

Another guest I met here, Emily, from Australia is someone I admire. At 21 she’s already been all over the world traveling alone whenever she needs a break from school. I was so sad to see her go, but so glad we got to share many laughs and hugs during her last couple of days here.

Unal found this great little underground cave bar, Heybeli in Ürgüp that has live turkish music every night. We’ve been there several times now. Turkish dancing is so much fun! Its really easy, not fast and complicated. What I love most about Turkish music is that even young adults listen to Turkish music and they all know how to Turkish dance. I found that in the rest of Europe, most people my age listen to American or British music, I’m not even sure if they know what their country’s original music is. It’s so great to see young adults so in touch with their culture and loving it.

Working at FCI is not really like working at all. I wake up, help make breakfast, eat breakfast with the guests or other workers here/answer some correspondence, clean up, and I’m usually free by 11:30 or 12. Andus, the owner isn’t here yet, so when he does get here I am sure I will be busy brainstorming and planning the new branch of their B&B we discussed. I am so excited for this because #1, I get to go to the southern coast for a few days and #2, I get to do something I love with a subject that I love.

So far, we’ve had two random turkish dance parties in the kitchen, both which started while cleaning or prepping for dinner. Gucan is a wonderful dancer and she does this wonderful snap thing with his fingers that I am trying to learn. It’s so loud it sounds like a glockenspiel! I have never laughed so hard with a group of people I had just met. Random people coming in and out of the house…it took me a while to figure out who actually worked and lived there and who just wandered in from the street.

I am head over heels for turkish baklava. I WILL find someone to teach me how to make this amazingness. I will never eat greek baklava again. Turkish baklava is made with a sugar/water based syrup and pistachios, while greek baklava is made with walnuts and honey. I found that turkish baklava just melts in your mouth and is absolutely amazing warm and fresh.

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