An Introvert Explores the World: Fantasy Flight

Everyone has dreamed of flying above the clouds with the breeze flapping through their hair and all earthly cares dispersed by the wind, but few people get to experience this adventure in the waking world. While we were born to walk the earth with our feet firmly planted on the ground, we were also instilled with the desire to soar with the birds and escape our terrestrial fetters. And to accomplish this feat whilst floating above a fairytale landscape would be the penultimate affront to our natural state. Does this fantasy sound improbable and unrealistic? Then catch a ride with me on a magical hot air balloon ride above Cappadocia.

Deep in the heart of Turkey lies a unique geographical region that was formed from the juxtaposition of sudden, violent volcanic eruptions and centuries of calm, gradual erosion. The resulting landscape is a veritable stone forest of fairy chimneys extending beyond the horizon in every direction. These spectacular pillars of various shapes and sizes seem like a conception from the perverse mind of Salvador Dali; yet, improbable and unnatural as they may seem, the steady progression of time is solely responsible for these intriguing natural wonders.

Ancient troglodytic civilizations inhabited this arid region and carved dwellings into the tufa rock structures. Scattered throughout the valley, many houses, churches, and other living quarters have been chiseled deeply into the rock face, creating fantastical anthill towns that are hidden from view except for several exposed windows and entryways. While several rock-dwelling towns still thrive and prosper within these unique abodes, most regions remain uninhabited and preserved as outdoor museums nowadays. These protected sanctuaries showcase remnants of an ancient civilization, available for tourists to explore and discover -- colorful frescoes painted along church walls, smoke-stained kitchens and dining rooms for groups of families, and hidden passages that could be blocked by gigantic rolling stones for protection against vile marauders. While exploring these subterranean cave dwellings is an enlightening and essential experience, the best way to explore these geological wonders is from a bird's-eye view.

On my second day in Cappadocia, I awoke exceptionally early for my flight aboard a hot air balloon from which I would view the sunrise. I joined my fellow travelers for our short journey to the departure location and watched as the team of pilots prepared the balloon for flight. We witnessed the amazing progression by which a large roll of nylon material slowly morphed into a buoyant vessel simply by adding a hot flame. While the balloon gradually took shape as the trapped air continued to warm, I, myself, was filled with anticipation as the scene unfurled in front of me. The sun had started to spread its first shafts of light beams into the sky as the horizon glowed an iridescent hue of orange and gold. Incredible rock formations were beginning to emerge from the darkness and cast their eerie shadows in the distance. The entire landscape which was pulled straight from a fantasy novel was beginning to awaken before my eyes.

Once the balloon was fully inflated and ready for departure, everyone climbed into the wicker basket and held our collective breath. A gentle lurch, and then we were airborne. The ground slowly fell away from us as we drifted higher into the air, gently swaying with the breeze. In what seemed like a dream, a menagerie of colorful balloons began rising up all around us in a beautiful procession toward the heavens. And then the moment finally occurred that we had all been waiting for -- the landscape below was perfectly illuminated by the risen sun and came to life before our eyes. Dotting the ground were warped fingerlike rock formations seemingly grasping for the balloons gliding just overhead. The unfurling scene was absolutely breathtaking, and I gazed in awe at the beauty and wonder of this foreign environment. The flight was so peaceful, smoothly gliding through the air while I remained in a constant state of fascination at the miracle of nature below. Time seemed to stand still from our lofty perspective of the earth, and yet after an hour had come to pass, we knew the journey must come to an end as we began our descent back towards the ground.

Just like this seemingly fleeting flight above the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the years of one's life pass exceptionally quickly, which is why you should make the most of it while you can. And during this one brief hour, while flying amongst the birds in heaven and gazing upon one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world, I knew that today would live on in my memory for eternity.