We are in Ankara - the capital of Turkey. It is October, and it has been raining for the second day in a row.
We are very unlucky, - says Alexander Antonovich Kolesnikov, the first secretary of the Russian embassy in Turkey. He previously worked at the Russian embassy in Bishkek. A man of many talents and aspirations, he quickly surrounded himself with friends, among whom I found myself. Kolesnikov is originally from St. Petersburg, a career diplomat, a remarkable historian, and a Turkologist. He has written many books and is a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, a professor at St. Petersburg University. To some extent, he was the "cause" of our trip to Turkey.
However, Alexander Antonovich is not to blame for the fact that it has been raining for the second day. He did everything possible to make us feel at home and accommodated us in the apartment of the Russian trade representation in Ankara.
- You absolutely must see Cappadocia, this amazing land, - Kolesnikov urged me. - Where else in the world can you witness history spanning four thousand years! Monuments from the ancient Hittite era, the Persian period, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Turkish, Seljuk, Ottoman... Cappadocia is a true illustrated book of history.
It was raining, and the trip to Cappadocia was postponed, while our stay in Ankara was extended. When there were breaks in the rain, we made excursions to museums, wandered through old Ankara, and learned about Atatürk's life. I must admit that I developed a deep respect for this extraordinary man.
The meteorologists continued to promise rain, there was nothing to wait for, and we decided to go to Cappadocia anyway.
The car sped down the wet highway, splashing puddles like a fan.
- We have a long way to go, about 300 kilometers, it will take about four hours. And to prepare you for meeting Cappadocia, I will tell you something about this amazing land, - Alexander Antonovich began his story.
