Cappadocia

'U havta do the balloooonnnnn', Alex kept telling me on Facebook. The balloon meant taking a flight on a hot air balloon over Cappadocia in Turkey, at sunrise. I had been toying with the idea and was undecided, partly due to a lack of time in my itinerary, partly due to the need to wake up at the ungodly hour of 4.50am and partly due to a fear of heights no less.

At the risk of missing out and the wrath of those who have done so before me, I decided to take the ride. Getting out of bed so early, in the cold weather was a chore, but what followed was an amazing experience. Photos can only tell so much of a story; it is the experience that stays with us.

The stunning landscapes viewed from above, the mutual exhilaration felt by my fellow passengers and I despite the language barrier, all add up to a wonderful memory and a tale that will be recounted many a time.

Photo shot from my balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Birthdays

I attended a birthday party on Friday night. Birthdays always get me thinking, especially when one gets older. I don't dread it when the yearly milestone comes-a-knocking, but I've been rather less enthusiastic about celebrating the occasion the past few years. The usual dinners with friends are commonplace but I've yet to experience the kind of excitement that once was part of my birthday celebrations. Perhaps next year. Anyways, enough about me.

The party 2 nights ago was clearly an enjoyable one though for the birthday boy. The smile says it all I believe. Couple that with a great-looking outfit and a huge dash of charisma, such zest rubs off on party guests to a certain extent. It takes a lot of work to make everyone feel welcome, relaxed and part of the party, and for the birthday boy to have to do that instead of the other way round considering it is his special day after all, speaks volumes of the value of the invite. I always maintain that friendships need to be cultivated when newly formed and nurtured along the way, and a birthday bash is definitely an occasion not to be missed.

I came away from the party with renewed hope. That so many of Alex's friends turned up to celebrate with him; that Alex played the part of a perfect host with aplomb. In a sense, the occasion was a true testament of the bonds of friendship that can be fostered, when the necessary effort is taken. Perhaps I'll take that enthusiasm with me till my own birthday next year!

Photo of cupcakes by A Slice Of Heaven.