Where East and West bridge
One of the advantages of working in an international academic environment is getting to know people from all over the world, learn new things every day and have the chance to get special Cicerones when you go visit their countries. This was one example. My two Turkish friends Yigit and Meniz led an expedition of six from four nationalities to discover Cappadocia and Istanbul. Astonishing areas: caves modelled by the wind hosting people and paleo-Christian churches (no pictures unfortunately could be taken), and the former Constantinople bearing traces of epic battles and historical developments in its architecture and even language and cuisine. We probably gained a couple of kilos in a week but have enjoyed the best food, including ayran and the unmissable kunefe and baklava.
click on the pictures to see them fully