​Weathering the Storm with the WP#163

Another week has passed here back in the states and my desire to be back in Italy with Rosa grows ever stronger. When I left back on the 17th of April, I was already in countdown mode. We both knew that I had come back here to continue tying up loose ends here in the states and she gets things ready for my return to Italy. I am lucky enough that next week, I will return to Europe for another travel trade show, but it will still not be close enough to see Rosa, except via WhatsApp, but at least, it is only an hour time zone away, but enough of that for now. When I return to Italy, next, to be with my wife, on the 4th of July, considering this day, we are 71 days out, but who is counting. Me, of course!!! ​

The crazy thing is that I know I have lots to do, and the time is a fleeting. My departure from the US will be even sooner, less than 2 months from now, when I lock the door for the last time, and I know the time will go fast. At least, this last weekend, I cleaned up some 3 boxes of ancient papers and brochures for trash and shredding. I want the time to fly, but I also need to balance that with knowing I need the time for all the loose ends. In the end, when I depart on the 21st of June, none of the still owned “stuff” will be left here. Either it will have been shipped, sold, given away or simply left. Out of sight, out of mind and really that has been most helpful as I get down to that final downsizing. What I do know is that this is very real and at the same time, with all the excitement for my future with Rosa, I have to temper it with the knowledge that I have to balance the needs of my clients as well. Fortunately, both the personal and the business feel in tune right now and that is a very good feeling.

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Enough of this however, as I promised you another segment of Rosa and my honeymoon to Turkey, and this time, we arrived in the region known as Cappadocia where there are opportunities for hot air balloon rides, but unfortunately, the winds did not cooperate, but the abandoned cave cities, churches and other bizarre landscapes certainly made up for it. One of the highlights for me was the MDC Cave hotel carved right into the rock. I have clients who have stayed there. It is a truly unique experience and one I would highly recommend to anyone who comes to Cappadocia, and more are being built. ​

Our guide, Mustafa, was great, as were all the other guides and his story is unique. He is a native of the region and was born in one of the cave houses in the village, long since abandoned and only those willing to turn some of the structures into new cave hotels for examples are allowed to buy them. Some, however, are truly inaccessible, but the experience of being there was so worthwhile. I like working with locals to create trips and he is one. We tried different foods and different drinks, but it is a much quieter area, as there are no big cities where these cave hotels, cave dwellings and amazing natural landscapes are. ​

There is civilization, but once you leave the city into which you fly, Kayseri, there is nothing around. It is a much different world altogether with the landscapes with wide open spaces, but some amazing mountain snow covered peaks. It does not remind me of Iceland as the landscapes are different, but you get the gist that you are in a different world in the middle of Turkey. We also enjoyed the pomegranate and orange juices that we freshly squeezed right there and in fact, Rosa got into the act as she wanted to try out her skill set. She did well and we enjoyed it. By the way, Cappadocia is a region of Turkey, it is not the name of the town, so there is no confusion. In any case, we stayed a few nights with the cave hotel experience, the cave dwellings and the amazing natural formations and their version of the Grand Canyon and the pigeons, which seems to be a big deal. For Rosa and I, not so impressive, as we can see pigeons all over. ​

Next week, I look forward to sharing the last few days of our time in Turkey for our honeymoon, to Antalya, but that is for next week. As always, I hope you have enjoyed my offerings each week and appreciate that you have read my blog posts and look forward to continuing with sharing. As always, thank you so much for your support of Rosa’s and my little world now that they have been merged into one. We truly appreciate your support and congratulations. Stay safe, healthy, and most importantly happy, and as always, your shared comments and thoughts are most welcome!!!