+The drive from Erzincan to Cappadocia was pleasant. +There were many little bridges over the road to allow water to cross without washing out the road itself. +The travelers saw animals, including a herd of sheep that crossed the road forcing a small delay. +Each town seemed centered around a mosque with tall minarets. +
+ ++Along the way, the travelers saw an excelent view of Mount Ericyes from the Kayseri side. +When the view is clear, it is obvious that the mountain is a volcano that has erupted before. +
+ +
+A view of of Mount Ericyes from the Kayseri side.
+[COORDINATES]+Nancy, Jim, and Blaise stopped at the city of Sivas for lunch. +This was the birthplace of St. Blaise. +Sivas is a large city with a complex network of busy roads. +There are no parking meters, but individual workers make it their business to take a fee from each car that parks for more than one hour. +
+ +
+Blaise poses in front of a hotel in central Sivas.
+Sivas was the birthplace of St. Blaise, Blaise's namesake.
+[COORDINATES]+The travelers arrived in Cappadocia late afternoon, just before sunset. +They stayed in the town of Gorome, at the center of the Cappadocia region. +Gorome is a rock city with many buildings built into the walls and pillars +
+ +
+An example hotel in Gorome.
+Many hotels are built right into the rock walls and pillars that surround the town.
+[COORDINATES]+Initially there was some confusion about which hotel was correct, as there are many hotels whose names contain some combination of "cave" and "suite". +The travelers stayed in the Ottoman Cave Suite hotels, which was right at the center of Gorome and afforded wonderful views of the surrounding town during sunset. +They had a honeymoon suite on the top floor, with a personal hot tub and a wonderful view of the surrounding city. +The travelers watched the sun set from the roof of their hotel. +
+ +
+View from inside the hotel room.
+[COORDINATES]
+Sun setting over gorome, as viewed from the hotel roof.
+[COORDINATES]
+Jim, Nancy, and Blaise enjoying the sunset.
+[COORDINATES]+After unpacking and watching the sunset, the travelers enjoyed a nice chinese dinner at ????? restraunt. +
+ ++The sunrise was also fantastic as viewed from the hotel roof. +
+ +
+Sun rising over Gorome, as viewed from the hotel roof.
+[COORDINATES]
+Blaise poses on the hotel roof during the sunrise.
+[COORDINATES]+During breakfast, the travelers finally tried the talum from Kemah. +One of the hotel empoyees shared her own talum, which is made with "black seed" (cumin) +
+ ++The travelers took a taxi to the top of the ridge (sun set point) and meandered their way down through the valleys and caves of Cappadocia. +Ultimately, they arrived at Çavuşin. +
+ +
+A tree near sunset point that has been decorated with "evil eyes".
+This symbol was common throughout the region.
+[COORDINATES]
+Blaise poses at the entrance to the red valley.
+[COORDINATES]
+Nancy poses near the door of one of the carved dwellings.
+Note how thick the walls were made.
+[COORDINATES]
+View inside of one of the carved dwellings, showing painted roof detail.
+[COORDINATES]
+Nancy sits at the entrance to one of the red valley dwellings.
+[COORDINATES]+At some point, the travelers hopped from the Red Valley to Rose Valley. +Rose valley contained many amazing carved rock structures. +
+ +
+Rose valley rock formations.
+[COORDINATES]
+Nancy and jim pose at the entrance to Rose Valley.
+[COORDINATES]
+Nancy stands on the bridge into column church.
+[COORDINATES]
+Column church, interior.
+[COORDINATES]
+Blaise poses in front of some carved structures in Rose Valley.
+[COORDINATES]+Foolishly, the travelers forgot water and food. +They were happy to discover an oasis cafe "StarBox" which offered refreshing fruit juice and water. +This cafe was located right under cross church, and the view into Rose Valley was amazing. +
+ +
+Painting within cross church, next to StarBox.
+[COORDINATES]+Taxi back to Hotel. +
+ +
+Lunch.
+[COORDINATES]