I like to think I have a pretty good memory, and for the things I'm afraid I'll forget, I'm known to document heavily – too heavily, in some opinions. And in all those stored up memories – good, bad, fun, crazy, trying – September 3, 2011 stands as the single most inspiring, invigorating day of my life.
Andrea and I woke up at 6a.m. in Capadoccia, Turkey. After quietly but quickly stepping outside – we wouldn't want to wake our pregnant hostel owner (Andrea, their baby must be crawling now!!!), we'd run down to the main, dusty little strip, where Andrea more carefree and less afraid of being thrown in Capadoccia prison walked around the back of a restaurant and up the cement stairs to the roof. I did as well, slower, dodging the gaze of a cat and after staring too long at the window of what was likely the restaurant owner's living quarters.
I remember us not talking a lot up there. A giddy quiet as we crept around the roof, both changing the settings on our cameras, color, B&W, panoramic, as the rising sun changed the sky just as quickly.
We should have known the next 24 hours were going to be amazing when we sat down for dessert at an outdoor cafe last night, opened our menus, and fireworks started bursting in the background. Only for two minutes, but they definitely happened.
We'd return to eat breakfast at our family-run hostel, frantically uploading photos to share, telling family at home to look at where we, two girls with itineraries requiring no parental approval, had found ourselves this morning.
Creepy and loony as can be.
I also would never have blogged that it was here in the underground cave that my automatic zoom lens would get clogged with dirt, leaving me nearly camera-less two weeks into my trip and thus giving me trouble through the next four months.
But we made it out of the cave and away from crazy, and my camera starting moving again, albeit twitchy and upset with me.
Our tour guide was Ahdem. Ahdem could scale rocks and mini-mountains without fear or precaution. And that day, I decided so could I, in sandals.
We learn a new phrase. One for new friends, for people you care about and care about you. I made him autograph my journal with it. Beni kalbimden vurden.
It's the quotes from Ahdem that stick with me the most today.
In the van, Andrea, Ahdem and I share the back bench and learn about each other. Ahdem: "It is… My life strategy. I ask you what music you like and your hobbies. And then, maybe I know you." We dance to the music we share. We talk about how I like to write. He says maybe someday I'll write a book that has covers with pages inside.
1000 words don't sum up six blog posts and twenty four hours from one year ago.
But one year later, this day remains the best, most unexpected gem of a day in 23 years. Because 7,000 miles away from home I broke the rules and climbed to the roof of a restaurant, and then climbed a little mini-mountain in the middle of nowhere in sandals. Because in the middle of Capadoccia, Turkey, where a night at the hostel cost $7, Ahdem asked us why there would be an Apple on the cover of Andrea's computer. Because it was the first sign that I had no idea what I'd be seeing over the next few months, and the unplanned would be more exciting than anything I could expect. Because it was a sign of the adventures that would come and the thought that I might be willing to take some risks to end up with stories.
So I shared that day again today because it's on my mind.
And someday, I will in a book that has covers and pages with words.
When houses get robbed and then trees fall on them.
WOW, those hot air balloons at sunrise – incredibly beautiful. What an amazing day!
I absolutely love the photo where the perspective of the subject makes it seem as though she might not even have any idea that there are balloons behind her.
What an amazing day to be able to share. I was laid right there on the rooftop with you, taking those shots!
Wow beautiful photos of the hot air balloons. I would love to see something like that in real life!