Open Air Museum...Cappadocia

HI! Nadia here…Sammar’s sister…and I am honored and at the same time completely paranoid as Kyle and Sammar have given me the rights to detailing our amazing experience in Cappadocia, Turkey.  Let’s begin.

Its day 67 of Sammar and Kyle’s #rtw.  My mom, dad and I wake up at 4am in Istanbul to catch a flight to Cappadocia to meet Kyle and Sammar.  After what felt like hours and a plane ride and car service (3.5 to be exact) our driver turned into a city that had to be Cappadocia (land of beautiful horses). It looked like we landed on the moon.  There were chimney formations for as far as the eye could see and it was like nothing I had ever seen before. 

We arrived in Goreme, which is a small city in Cappadocia where we stayed for the next three days.  Sammar and Kyle arrived the night before and as our driver pulled up to our “Cave Hotel” we saw Sammar waiting impatiently at the top of the hill.  Before we could even start to wave, somehow she mysteriously knew it was us and started waving frantically…this certainly woke us up with excitement!  After several hugs and kisses Sammar explained she wouldn’t let Kyle eat breakfast until we arrived.  Good news Kyle…time for breakfast!

Once our tummies were full with a traditional Turkish Breakfast it was time to explore.  We decided to start with the “Open Air Museum”.  As we walked towards the Open Air Museum we found a family owned pottery shop nestled inside of a cave.  I let my tourist side run free and purchased the first thing I liked.  Mom, Dad, Sammar and Kyle shortly followed suit and purchased a few items.  The man was so kind and proud of his families work.  He invited us to try our hand on the pottery wheel.  Sammar went first and made it look very easy, children who were visiting sat in awe and clapped when she had finished making her clay pot.  It was my turn, I had some big shoes to fill.  In the end we both had horrible looking clay pots which were only made possible with the help of the experts, but it was fun regardless.  

After we said our goodbyes we continued onto the Open Air Museum which we had heard so much about from others who had come before us.  We walked for a while until we arrived at a tourist spot.  My mom and I looked completely disappointed at the sight of what Sammar and Kyle insisted was the Open Air Museum.  There was no entry or information or map.  It was literally Open Air with caves that looked like they had been inhabited many many years ago.  Sammar gave us a look like “Don’t be high maintenance” so mom, dad and I sucked it up, crossed the street for our unguided tour of the Open Air Museum.  Mom was a trooper.  She was climbing and crawling through tunnels, Dad and Kyle were off on their own adventure.  We coined #boost because we literally were pushing each other up into the caves.  After about 45 minutes of hardcore hiking and climbing, in the distance we saw tourists and what was really the “Open Air Museum”.  You actually have to pay to get in it and there is information and maps and guides.  THANKS SAMMAR!  We were so hot and tired by the time we got to the real museum and more impressed with the little adventure we had on our own that the real museum didn’t seem too exciting. 

It was time to go back to the hotel and get our first Doner Kebap (the traditional Turkish sandwich).  The first one was TERRIBLE ketchup and mayo really?!  I was so disappointed.  Better luck next time.  What was not disappointing was the sunset.  There is no sunset like a sunset in Cappadocia.

Which is a great Segway to the next morning, our sunrise hot air balloon ride.  This experience is a must if you ever come to Cappadocia.   The only downfall…you wake up at 4am.  Apparently I look like a zombie in the morning, again thanks Sammar.  A driver picked us up at 4:45 and took us to a place where they serve you a huge breakfast.  Seems a bit strange to me…lots of food and then going up in the air?  Oh well…I guess I’ll eat!  The view was amazing but apparently I am a little terrified about being that high up in the air.  Honestly, I think I had just as much fun helping the crew deflate the balloon at the end, followed by mimosas as I did watching the sunrise over each of the valleys.

After a much needed nap, which Sammar definitely didn’t agree with, the girls headed to a Turkish bath (Hamam in Turkish) and the boys ventured to find an old fashion close shave.   Yes Kyle got rid of his beard.  The Turkish bath is a must! After such a relaxing experience one might think you should stay relaxed.  Nope, Sammar, Kyle and I headed out for a hike.  I was introduced to a new side of my sister this trip.  She is extremely adventurous and doesn’t mind getting herself dirty now.  This is not the clean freak, rule following Sammar I grew up with, LOVE IT!  The views in the untouched valleys were breathtaking.

That night, we had one of my favorite dinners of all time.  Sammar suggested a Korean restaurant she saw by the Turkish bath.  While Turkish food is lovely it can get old quickly, so we were all up for it.  When we arrived at the restaurant it was empty, I even asked if they were opened.  The man who looked like the chef insisted it was and we were already committed so we took our seats.  I was so skeptical and was preparing to pick up a Doner Kebap on the way home.  But when the food arrived I was immediately put in my place, it was amazing.  Some of the best food I have ever had.  If you go to Cappadocia go to Evil Eye Restaurant and order whatever they have available.  Not everything on the menu is available every night, so you know it fresh.

The last day in Cappadocia was spent being a major tourist.  We joined the “Green Tour”.  It was the most adventurous tour available so I was excited.  In one day we saw and did a lot!  Our tour guide was Mahmed.  This was a name everyone in our group seemed to have trouble saying.  He was called the following:  Mamma, Mahme, Metmah…you get the picture. We finally got it right after about 8 hours.  We ventured into Derinkuyu Underground City, which was used to protect the Christian community in times of war.  They were fascinating and perfectly engineered and the number one question Sammar and I had was:  Where did they go to the bathroom?  Luckily Mahmed answered it without us asking at the end of the tour.  Next we hiked through Ihlara Valley.  It looked like another country, the climate and view looked like nothing we had seen since arriving in Cappadocia.  Next we headed to a Selime Monastery.  It looks like it is right out of the Star Wars movie.  I am not even a Star Wars fan and I recognized it.  I think this was my favorite part.  Mom and Dad were so adventurous here…particularly Mom. #boost!  I think we could have spent hours here exploring every nook and cranny.  There was so much to see and we were in awe of the workmanship of the monastery and imagining what it must have been like back when it was built.  But all things come to an end.  

Our last stop was an Onyx factory and jewelry store…so touristy but pretty cool.  As expected, when we entered the jewelry gallery Mom and Dad immediately took to the display cases.  My mom found a beautiful ring!  The stone is called Zultanite.  My sister and I call it a fancy mood ring because it changes colors but it’s definitely much prettier than the 90s mood ring.  The jewelry store must have loved us because Kyle and Sammar bought me the most beautiful earrings for my 30^th birthday.  I am obsessed with them!  Thank you!!!  We ended our time in Cappadocia with a major treat for my dad.  Kunefe!  It’s a Syrian and Turkish dessert that my dad couldn’t wait to dig into.  Cappadocia really was a great way to start off our time in Turkey. 

Thank you to Kyle and Sammar for allowing me to be a part of your trip around the world and try my hand at your blog!  These are memories I will cherish forever!  Love you both and see you in Washington DC!