Kayseri

Barry reminisces...
Probably everyone would say that our day trip to Kappadokya was well worth the wait: the weird rock formations, carved homes and underground city are unlike anything anywhere else on Earth. In fact, George Lucas did some filming here for Star Wars, such is the otherwordly scenery. That evening we were treated to a wonderful show of folk dances and non-stop live folk music in a unique restaurant carved into the rock under a hill. Five galleries with doubles rows of eight rock tables sloped down toward the circular stage like spokes radiating from a hub. Everyone had a great view of the brilliant colored costumes (changed between dances and folk "acts") and of the band of ud, kanun, clarinet, fiddle darbuka and drum. A very lively evening with ballroom waltzing to piped in Strauss between acts for the mostly tourist audience. An excellent show.

Inside a fairy chimney

Ancient dwellings carved out of the soft stone

The basalt on top is a harder and erodes slower. Eventually, the softer stone below will erode away and cause the cap to sit precariously on top until it falls.

They are everywhere...

Hair donations from previous Rotary Exchangers at a tourist pottery shop. The whole room (cave) was full of 'em! This place is in the Guiness Book of World Records for having the most locks of hair pinned to the walls. (?)