|
|
Hello,
“Hos geldiniz !” Welcome to Kilim Pension’s site !
My name is Caroline, I’m French and Turkey has been my country of adoption for 5 years. After spending one year in Istanbul, I chose Cappadocia and settled in Uçhisar (pronounced “ootshissar”).
"Uçhisar"
Why Uçhisar ? Because in my opinion, it’s the most beautiful little town in Cappadocia. First, it’s the highest one ; no matter where you are in the old district, you can contemplate the moonlike landscape around. And of course, the highest point of Uçhisar, its troglodytic castle, will offer you the most exhilarating view of the whole country.
Besides, I think that Uçhisar, although touristic, managed to preserve its authenticity. It’s never overcrowded, the town has kept its natural beauty and you don’t feel anonymous. Take the time to walk in the new Uçhisar’s alleys and you’ll soon realize that people haven’t changed their way of life to conform to common tourism.
Moreover, here, people’s bounds are very tight, as in a large family. For example when there’s a wedding it’s no use sending cards : the town hall announces it through the town loud-speakers and invites all the village ! If you are here at this time, you may join the party with Sisik ! Another example : Çiko, Fahri, Kose Mustafa and others teamed up and decided to repopulate the Pigeons’ Valley which had lost its pigeons and today they have succeeded in taming 4000 ones ! You cannot find such things in the nearby town...
PANORAMIC VIEW FROM THE TERRACE
"At Sisik’s – Kilim Pension"
In Uçhisar, my favourite place is at Sisik’s. In the middle of the old village, hewed in the local stone, with its small inner courtyard and its terraces with breathtaking views, Sisik’s pension bids fair to an unforgettable stay in Cappadocia. After your outings and a substantial Turkish meal, you’ll take off your shoes and you’ll go and relax in the cushioned sitting-room, have a last drink and a chat, listen to musicians (and Sisik playing darbouka) or smoke a narghile. And if the weather is not fine, Sisik will make a jolly good fire for you.
"Sisik"
But if I prefer Kilim Pension, it’s not only for all these things (that you may find in nearby pensions), above all it’s because this place conveys the warmth and the joviality of an extraordinary person : Sisik.
Sisik was born in Uçhisar on 8th june 1971, in the old part of the village, in his parents’house which he’s restoring today. Sisik is a nickname (pronounced shishik), our man’s name is Mehmet. Those who have already been to Turkey know that half of men’s population is called Mehmet or Mustafa (I’m exagerating a little about the proportion but you understand me, don’t you ?) ; most Mehmets of Uçhisar (and elsewhere !) have nicknames. Our Mehmet being the most chubby of all (in Turkish sisko means... well, let’s not say “fat” but... “big” !), his friends gave him that nickname.
Sisik (who’s not fat !) is crazy about his small town. He had thousands of opportunities to go and live in Europe (which is the dream of lots of Turks) but he preferred to build his life here, take care of his roots, make his village more attractive and share his passion for Uçhisar with his family, his friends and people who come from all over the world. To be able to share and sharing, notice that Sisik, without ever opening a book, learnt French and Italian just with his heart’s will.
Let me give you a small detail... As I speak Turkish, I was able to notice in Sisik a habit of language which means a lot to me : when he speaks to his cook (Mustafa !) for example or to Turkish friends and talks about people who stay in his pension, he doesn’t use “customers” but “my guests” or “our guests”. It’s no use commenting on my feeling, is it ?
Furthermore, Sisik will be pleased to be your guide for walks in all the valleys around Uçhisar : he knows like the back of his hand the Pigeons’Valley, the Green Valley, the Red Valley, the White Valley followed by the Valley of Love... And why not have a barbecue right amid in the limestone peaks called “fairies’ chimneys” ?
If you wish, he’ll drive you for a bath in the natural hot springs of Bayram Hacili thermal site not far away from Uçhisar.
Sisik can also make you share local and varying events, like the grape-gatherings and the preparation of the pekmez by women, outside, in front of their houses, at the end of september (pekmez is grapes juice mixed with a special sand and reduced over a big fire for hours till it becomes a kind of caramel, delicious for breakfast...) or the apricots’ gathering in june-july...
All these things considered, without forgetting the magic unexpected events in which Sisik will take you away, you won’t feel as if you were doing tourism in Cappadocia but rather as if you had come to see an old friend who accomodates you with a rare hospitality, shows you Turkey from the inside and offers you, without realizing, a lesson of generosity and simplicity in human relationship...
On top of that, Kilim Pension provides you with loads of services : booking your tickets, organizing horse-ridings, excursions in the underground cities or in Ihlara Valley with Ahmet, Sisik’s father, and his minibus...
"Sisik and Kilims" www.kilim-passion.com
Not only is fond of his village but Sisik is also keen on kilims. Kilims are these well-known woolen weaved carpets, colourfull with geometric patterns, you see ? Tradition said that a young woman had to prepare her trousseau by weaving kilims for her new home and also her future family-in-law. Tradition is disapearing but Sisik undertook not to let it wear out... He goes far in deep Turkey to find out, as burried treasures, some kilims more or less old. If necessary he has them restored and ressuscitates them (yes, because a kilim is alive ! It’s got a story...). Just ask Sisik to show you his wonderful collection and you’ll see his eyes shining out of pleasure...
So, have I been convincing enough ? My experience of Turkey enables me to tell you today that for having a safe and enriching stay in Cappadocia, you can really trust Sisik. I know that lots of people think as I do : at least all the French people who live in Turkey and always come back to Kilim Pension and all the French of France who come back here too and send their friends. Believe me, when Sisik comes to France, nearly every winter, he doesn’t spend a night in a hotel ! His address book is full of previous “guests” with whom he became friends and who offer him a warm hospitality.
It means a lot, doesn’t it ?
So.. see you soon !
|
|
|
|
