Day 7–Sirince to Cappadocia
Our last day in Selçuk and after another great breakfast, we packed and had our bags out the door by 11 am. We were leaving for the Izmir airport at 3:30, so had a few hours to enjoy the town itself before flying to Kayseri.
On the way to a ceramic studio, we stopped in to see the merchandise of a local shop owner and he invited us to coffee. This Turkish coffee was sweetened, and I didn’t care for it as much as the unsweetened. He showed us how to take the sludge left in the bottom of the tiny cup and see “signs” of our future: after setting the saucer on top of the cup, we then flipped it so the upsidedown cup was on top and then removed it, turned it right side up and “read” the pictures the sludge created. Fortune teller-like!
Shopkeeper making us coffee
Flip the cup over and the grounds will tell your fortune!
Our 20 minute walk to the studio took us under fragrant orange trees and a sign indicating a hotel for teachers. Ann told us teachers aren’t paid very well, but are highly prized. The government has special hotels for them at discounted prices. Not bad!
Hotel for teachers only. (Highly discounted!)
On to the ceramic studio: This 7th generation studio is known for the quartz added to the clay, giving it strength and durability. We had a wonderful demonstration of throwing a pot and then an explanation of how the work is fired, painted, glazed, etc. Several artists were at work on the intricate designs—monumental work. In the gallery in the basement, they showed up how the final glazing includes a substance that allows the ceramic piece to glow for some time after the lights are extinguished.
Master painter at work
In honor of Ataturk. (And in opposition to the current government)
Back to the hotel to meet up for lunch. It was national children’s day and schools were out. Several groups of adorned children paraded around the city center—with one having a band and families and balloons following behind. Fun! Turks cherish their children. It’s customary to comment and fuss over a baby. The children are valued, as was evident when the announcements on the airplane began with “Ladies and gentlemen and dear children…”
Children’s Day parade of kids, parents
Lunch was a Döner kabab—I chose lamb and the meat was cut off a rotating skewered shank of lamb and served with tomatoes, onion, lettuce and red cabbage. We folded all into a tortilla-like bread and ate it. Delightful. I guess it’s the popular grab and dash meal for people.
Cutting the lamb for our kabobs
Döner kabab—lamb and all the fixings. Delicious!
Sweet street pup greeted us at lunch. Many feral cats roam as well
We had 45 minutes until the bus left, so stopped in to a few shops and were delighted with the jolly nature of the store-keeps. This is a very friendly group and I wonder why my earlier opinion had been rather negative. Perhaps living in Germany in the 70s and experiencing the “guest workers” from Turkey who smoked so much and congregated in the train stations? But I’m so happy to experience the generosity and genuine good nature of the Turkish people.
Fun shopping area in Selçuk
The Izmir airport took us through 2 check points, and after the second, we approached the ticket counter, set out bags on the scale and...were allowed only 15 kilo/person. This was a complete surprise to us and my bag weighted 18 kilos, so I had to pay 30 lira ($5). My agent was sort of a jerk and had me trek across the airport to a cashier to pay before I could return to him and receive my boarding pass. Others could pay for their luggage right at the ticket counter. Oh well!
Thankfully we eyed a small bar just outside our gate so Jane and I decided on...what else?—a gin/tonic. The waitress was unaware what “tonic” was, but her colleague filled her in. The waitress held up one finger and said, “one?” Jane and I indicated “no, two,” thinking she was asking if we wanted one or two gin/tonics. Well, as it worked out, she meant a single or double shot of gin,so we each ended up with a double gin/tonic and laughed when we got our bill, realizing we’d just spend about $12 each on the drink.
The flight to Kayseri was on Pegasus airlines. I’d never heard of them. Nothing to eat/drink except for payment. Trip was only 90 min, so no big deal, but very budget! We met our new guide and driver after grabbing our bags and loaded into our new van. An hour later we were in the Cappadocia region. Quite that place! Wait until I can get photos and post them tomorrow!
Jane looking out our room window at Hotel Bella