I wake up after an amazing, warm sleep in my hotel room. I have grand plans for the day - rest, type some blog, eat, read my book etc. I go out only for a short while to buy some food.
In my little hotel room I fire up my stove and make some food. My warm showers host in Van had made stuffed capsicums on the stove top. I was sure this could be replicated on my camping stove.
I set to work and soon enough I have some delicious stuffed capsicums ready to eat. I think this is the greatest thing I have ever cooked on my stove.
The following morning it is time to head off. I have a couchsurfing host arranged in Kayseri, 230km away. I wonder if I can get there in three days. Normally I would say for sure but there are 2 passes to go over and the previous week had brought small mileage each day.
I make fast kilometres in the morning. The landscape has changed. The muddy, ploughed fields of the previous week has been replaced by loose, sandy soil, the occasional sheep herder out and about.
I make it over the first pass easily and then I head back down to the plains, at a lofty 1600m. I don't want to camp this high. It will just be too cold. About an hour before sunset I make my way into a small village and find a lady out and about. I go through the awkward sign language conversation of 'do you know where I can sleep?' She points me in the direction of her house.
I am hustled into the warmth, given çay and food and made to feel at home. The hospitality of Eastern Turkey continues to live up to its reputation. Despite a massive language barrier the family seems genuinely happy for me to stay and very interested in all my photos.
After a large breakfast (roast potatoes and gozleme) I head further west. The last pass between Kayseri and me is a breeze. After a small descent I continue along undulating steppe. I have a quick stop in town to find some internet (couchsurfing arranging) and continue to another village. I find two women washing carpets at the water fountain. Soon enough I have a warm place to sleep tonight.
After two pretty long days of cycling I am fairly tired. The family are great. I am literally tucked into my bed.
I only have about 80km to get to Kayseri and I am pretty sure I can do it. My expected descent takes 70km to appear. I just put my head down and grind out the miles. Mt Erciyes looms ahead of me, I edge closer and eventually past the giant monolith.
I have heard so many amazing things about cappadocia and the landscape. I was expecting the ride into the area to be a little more interesting than it was. Turns out I still have a days ride before I am in Cappadocia proper.
Nonetheless, I am now in Kayseri, I have a great couchsurfing host and plan on a couple of rest days before continuing.
Ahmet, my couchsurfing host is an architect and is very busy running his business. He largely leaves me to my own devices. I spend a couple of days doing my washing, eating vast quantities of food, catching up on emails, afternoon naps, reading my book. I even get to have a bath at his house!
I do manage to visit the castle in town. Kayseri is famous for its pastrami and I buy a little to eat for my lunch the next day. It tastes pretty good but is very salty and I am not really sure what all the fuss is about. It's not especially cheap at about $USD35 per kilo.
9/11 Darende - Kaynarca: rode 72km, ODO 4277km
10/11 Kaynarca - Emegil: rode 82km, ODO 4358km
11/11 Emegil - Kayseri: rode 85km, ODO 4443km
12&13/11 Kayseri: rode 17km, ODO 4460km
No comments:
Post a Comment