It's an early start as we have many 750kms to travel to get to Goreme. Still trying to mix it up, I grab a seat at the back of the bus. Nearly everyone has 2 seats to themselves as we have lost two of our number in Istanbul. Debbie and Jim were on a 9 month trip of a lifetime round the world but for Debbie it had become a trip through hell. Never apart for very long, she had agreed to travel with Jim to fulfill his dream but it was not her dream and in the end it was too much. For him, it was impossible to go on without her and they have returned home to find a compromise solution together. I am sure they will. They have been great personalities on the bus, and despite Debbie's unhappiness, she never hid in a corner. We had spoken of Bruno, and his comfort in routine and stability versus my constant itchy feet and need for new experiences. I have spent many years travelling round the world for work to satisfy this craving but I have never been so long away from home and my boys. Like Jim with Debbie, I would love to share my excitement and wonder of it all, but recognise that Bruno would hate such displacement and we would both suffer the consequences. I am lucky that he also understands that confining me to barracks would also have consequences. The wonders of modern technology mean we can stay in contact and I can share my experience and thoughts through my blog, but I am still miserable when several attempts to Skype home are unsuccessful. The long bus journey to Goreme gives me plenty of time to reflect and catch up on my blog. For a while, I am subdued.
But not for long. The wheels on the bus go round and round and as we approach Goreme the landscape changes dramatically. It's like something from a Star Wars movie. It IS something in a Star Wars movie!
We arrive at Flintstones hotel (without an 's') and cannot quite believe our eyes. Our rooms are real caves, hewn from the rock. There is a real outdoor swimming pool, a poolside bar, SUNBEDS.
Some of us are lucky enough to only be sharing with one or two others. I grab our key and , as I open the door, spy the big double bed in the middle with the 2 singles against the wall. For a tiny split second, I hesitate before throwing myself on the double bed . Instantly, I feel guilty, and offer it to my two roomies, but they are already good friends and make the sacrifice for me. I am so very grateful. I will repay them, I promise.
As we go outside to admire the bizarre landscape, from the hotel we can see 2 particularly strange formations. Someone comments that they resemble mushrooms, but they don't. They are immense, 10m phalluses. Giant dildos rising from the ground. This place is amazing.
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