Mersin to Cappadocia

Sometimes, nothing really noteworthy happens for days. And sometimes it is just too much to write down.

I still want to tell every story in detail but if I was to do that I'd be spending at least half of my days writing and editing. So for now, let me tell the story in pictures mostly and some bullet points:

• It's great to see some real mountains again
• It's great to have some experience by now how much elevation you can manage in a day, and being able to plan accordingly
• It's great to not be sweating too easily. When the sun is out, the cold is just perfect
• It sucks when your Whisperlite International stove gives out (gasoline pump, probably just the seal) and you do not have the expedition kit with you (yes, my bad)
• It also sucks that, in Turkey, the spare parts are not easy to come by and I probably will have to order it online and shipped to a future destination
  
• It's great when, at 1400 m height, you do not have to camp outdoors at -5C without a hot meal, but instead you can afford the 60 TL for a hotel
• It's great to have lots of tailwind again
• It sucks when your Couchsurfing host is unreliable and cannot welcome you
• But of course it's great when you have other options and wake up to a beautiful morning in the wild instead!!

Generally, hospitality in Turkey is amazing and probably my favorite thing about the country.

On one of those days cycling towards Cappadocia, I've been invited for a tea in 2 different supermarkets by the cashiers, after making a purchase. In a small family store I spent a good 20 minutes, talking and showing some pictures and they even gave me some candy bar and nuts for the way.

When publishing stops on hosting websites, I regularly receive more offers than I can accept. Just recently, even a hotel owner has invited me to stay for free at his cave hotel in the heart of Cappadocia.

It can't get much better than this (mark my words ;)