Breakfast was at 9 am. Seriously. The earliest time for brekky at all the hotels we stayed was 8 am. My tummy growled and moaned for food but I waited. My tastebud has started to indulge the Turkish breakfast. Simple but tasty and filling.
Our second day in Cappadocia had no specific agenda. I like it open, free and easy. By 10 am we were free to go and headed out to a place called Sword Valley. Looked up the map and spotted this place so off we went. We walked leisurely through the town and shops, greeting people with one word we know “merhaba” means hello. Owh that’s A101- saw our favorite grocery store— things are sold the cheapest here compared to kedai runcit outside.
The day was getting hotter as we crossed the massive barren field to reach Sword Valley. After a while there trying to figure out why they called the Sword Valley, we moved on to Rose Valley. The rock formations are rose in color and uniquely massive structure. Used to house people once upon a time. As we went on our own (no tour guide) all info was googled out. But being there ,the stones and the rocks, told their own stories and as we sat silently in one of the caves we could smell what was cooking in the kitchen. Imagination went wild, no word was needed to reiterate the story.
The day was approaching noon, and I needed to find a mosque for Friday prayer. In Turkey, it is easy to find one as where ever you go, city or out in a remote village, there will be a mosque, somewhere. Some are even beautifully decorated. About half an hour away, by foot, there was one small village. My phone spotted two mosques so we went right away, stopping every time there was a shade. The hot sun had becoming unbearable.
In the town we were greeted by a huge cave village. So we knew that would be our next place to explore; after the solah.
Friday prayer was minimal, maybe about twenty people attended. Many were having lunch just at the doorsteps of the mosque. But did not seem to bother coming. So I say there listening to a khutbah in Turkish but I know he was talking about Qurban and Zulhijjah. The khatib was an old Imam that seems to be isolated from his congregation but respected nevertheless. Just like my Imam back in Kelantan. The point I’m trying to pin here is how far the gap between the mosque and the people has widened in Turkey.
After the prayers, as the outside still burning hot, we stayed in the mosque. Napped for more than an hour I think. When the wind started to blow cooler air, we stepped out to explore that Old Cave Village. I was amazed once again to see how ancient people lived.
From the top we could see the whole town and how far we have to walk back to the hotel. Ironically, I felt lucky to be here and I would conquer that distance in no time. We did, eventually, walk back and stopping at A101 grocery store to buy some food. By the time we reached home, it was Asr time. My feet, knees and backs hurt excruciatingly.
Rested and later had rice for dinner.
By Maghrib we rushed for prayers. In Turkey, you have to be there before the azan otherwise you will miss the whole prayer altogether. For Maghrib no time for sunat prayer and the Imam recited short surah, prayed hastily and in no time you were already in the third rakaat. So fast!
After my wife said goodbye to her new friend , Louisa, and her mother ,we headed back and called it the night. Louisa and her mother were travelling by bus to Fethiye.
