Sheila and Nanci - Around the World

Cappadocia, Cap-a-Doke-ee-Ah, however you might say it, it is a place that is beyond imagination. Sandstone carved over millions of years into surreal formations that delight and puzzle the observer. We have been in awe at every turn of the road…

But…back to an initial observation: lots of cats and very few doggies. Finally, the cat population was so prevalent that the questions had to be asked (seekers of wisdom that we are) and ask we did. The story is that the prophet Mohammed was relaxing one day when a cat sat upon his robe and fell into a catterly sleep. Not wanting to disturb the peaceful cat, Mohammed cut his robe around where the cat slept, so as to not disturb its rest. Legend has it that because of this, Muslims have a special place in their hearts for cats…they’re not allowed in the homes unless they sneak in, but they are certainly more than tolerated.

Turkey was my focus as we planned our world tour (egad, sounds like I am Mick Jagger and entourage). Of course, I took it seriously, laboriously poring over the guidebooks to determine what highlights we should include in our 2-week survey trip into this wonderful, historically rich crossroads of a country. How to spend two weeks??? What to include??? How far to travel and how much precious time to spend in each area??

I made choices…Istanbul, of course. But then…we had to experience Cappadocia and all of its history and its geological wonders. Our days were amazing…a cliché, but oh-so-right-on target. Cliffs and formations dotted with caves…caves for living, caves for protection, caves for making into places of worship. Life over many centuries unfolded in and from these sandstone caves…like all of our lives, people died, new people were born, food was gathered, baths were taken, friends and family shared their fortunes. Our imaginations had to be freed from the normal constraints of our lives…and they were.

We hiked, we explored, we suspended our here and now as we attempted to understand ancient civilizations and see just a little bit of how their lives might have been. We looked in awe and heartfelt appreciation at the simple chapels they carved into the yielding stone. We sympathized with their tribulations as we imagined them fleeing to underground cities in an attempt to escape the invading Romans/Muslims/Mongolians.

It was a lesson…it was truly a lesson. I/we would not have ever wanted to miss this particular class.

Caves Christians lived in 100 AD

Imagine painted 100-150 AD

Images painted showing beliefs and stories 100 AD

During the struggle between Muslims and Christians, Muslins took over the cave dwellings/chapels 900 AD and according to their beliefs in which no human faces are depicted, they scratched out the faces. This, however, was in keeping with their religious beliefs in which no man is adored and worshipped above God.