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Show He . The Salt Lake Tribune TRAVEL Sunday, March 11, 2001 Homes Carved From Volcanic Rock in Turkey’s Otherworldly Cappadocia BY JOHN BIEMER formations are known as “fairy chimneys” eys” — a boulder of basalt balancing precariously atopa thin, attenuated shaft of tuff. The hard basalt protects the soft platform underneath from erosion. Or, as Cappadocians explain it, fairies or angels carried the rocks to the top. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GOREME, Turkey — The word mostoften used to describe Cappadocia is “otherworldly.” The harsh dry land of undulating hills and valleysis reminiscent of South Dakota’s Badlands, with its pastel tones of tan, pink and gray. But erosion here has left eerie mushroom-shaped formations in the soft volcanic stone in which inhabitants centuries ago literally carved outtheir homes. Theresultis a surreal landscape unlike any place on earth, an otherworldliness which impressed no less than George Lucas, whofilmed scenes here for the original “Star Wars.” You mayrecall the homes of the Sand People on Tattoine, the stark desert planet. Located in central Anatolia about 180 miles southeast of the Turkish capital of Ankara, Kapadokya, anglicized as Cappadocia and Hittite for the “land of beauti- Hittites and later the Byzantine Christians created shelter out of some of these formations by hollowing outthe soft rock — an innovation that was partially due to the lack oftrees in this barren land. Your first glimpse of these peculiar dwellings is likely to come through the windowofa bus. Muchlike the trains in Europe, Turkey has a vast and easily navigable bus network. The buses are inexpensive, generally punctual andclean.After a few: aeoftravel youwill inevitably look forward to bus stewards serving coffee, sodas and light snacks, followed by a splash oflemon handcleanser. Turkey's side trip from the usual tour ofthe lediterranean coast. “eeeer infrastruc- tourists away.Thelatesttravel ad- There is a rich diversity of sites here from various historic periods, visory from the U.S. State Department says, “Although sporadic incidents involving terrorist from the timeof the Hittites (rivals to the ancient Egyptians) to the groups continue to occur, the general security situation throughout early Christians to the 13thcentury GreatSilk Road. But most Turkeyis stable at this time.” With the tourism business slow there are bargains to be had, and of whatis unique about Cappadocia — the homes and churches carved from stone andthe vast undergroundcities — stems from its geological history. The region was once home to several active volcanoes, including tourism ture is well developed. But recent events — such as the 1999 earthquake and terrorist bombings blamed on Kurds — have kept ful horses,” makes an intriguing merchants are aggressive, in courting your business. The momentyougetoff the bus, travel agents will probably ap- ‘John Biemer/The Associated A groupof Turkish womengatherin a courtyard in the Turkish town of Goreme,in the region of Cappadocia.Volcaniceruptions millions of years ago covered the area in ashes, which hardened into a soft, porousrock called tuff. Residents,from the ancientHittites to today, have: carved homes directly out of the highly-eroded stone formations. MountErciyes, a snowcapped peak of almost 13,000 feet whichstill looms on thehorizon. proach you. You'll inevitably feel like you’re getting swindled, but a day tour by minivan is probably Volcanic eruptions as many as 10 million years ago covered the the best way to see Cappadocia, since some sites are fairly far apart. The quality of your guide is sheer potluck. They can range you off at gift shops along the road —tour companies are said to get 30 percent commission on anything from charming fonts of history to you buy. area in ashes, which hardened into asoft, porousrock called tuff. Over time, high wind and water eroded the tuff into free standing cones, domes and other geological oddities. The most astonishing of these standardized at about $20 per day, including lunch. Unfortunately, you can counton thetours to plop There’s a slew ofsleepylittle sip coffee on benches and watch Goreme the action, as carts pulled by *205 CEL Ea similar and prices are generally *22: emer: 7 DAYS A WEEK! 1800-CRUISES AMIGO TRAVEL 801-352-2025 "Ticket prices from Salt Lake City to: mennel Caenr! 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