Safe and sound in Goreme

We arranged our departure from Istanbul with a travel agent because it was right down the street vs. a semi major ordeal by tram. They set us up with a shuttle to the bus station and our overnight bus to Goreme. The shuttle picked us up late and we thought we were the last pick up before the station. Wrong. We picked up a lot more people, six of whom were unexpected. The shuttle was over full and really running late when suddenly a young woman who had just boarded remembered she had left her cell phone battery and charger at her pick up point. The driver very kindly stopped for her and she ran back, however that made us even more late. Then the traffic was terrible so.... We were told we couldn't make our bus (along with all of the other people riding the shuttle) so the shuttle guy informed us he would drive us to the next station so we would have time to get drinks/snacks for the ride and to make a pit stop before boarding the bus. Saved us some time on the long bus ride and we got to experience more of the Turkish kindness I have spoken of.

The night bus was much like the first... Lots of stops to pick up other passengers and then the usual 3-4 hour pit stops. We slept some and arrived in Goreme at about 9am. We called our hotel and they sent a guy to pick us up. We thought he would bring a car but he hoisted my back pack on his back and off we went. It was only a few minutes walk but we appreciated the guidance because we were tired, hungry and feeling directionally challenged. After unpacking and a shower we went to reception to check in and book a tour and confirm our balloon reservation for tomorrow.

After breakfast (brunch?) we spent the afternoon at the open air history museum of Cappodocia. This area is famous for it's "Fairy Chimneys". Rock formations that have houses, churches, businesses... You name it, carved into them. Most importantly, our hotel room is carved into one! It's very cool (literally and figuratively)!!! I will let you know how it feels to sleep in a cave!