When I was 12 years old I started learning to play the saxophone at school. Almost every day of the week for the next 6 years I stayed after school hours to practice. I even went to school on Saturdays for band rehearsals, which involved the hideous getting up early routine on a weekend day. But this wasn't an impediment for me, because I wanted to play music.

Through music I was able to learn valuable life lessons from a very young age. I learned that you don't have to be the best, but you do have to try to do everything with passion, dedication and discipline.

On the other hand, travelling has allowed me to learn more from the world. I have also learned that there are in fact much more things that unite us, than those that separate us. One of them definitely has to be music. During all my travels I have kept my ears and heart open in order to appreciate how important music is in our lives. From listening to street musicians to going to concerts in large venues, I have understood that music makes the world turn. Music is the best solution to any problem, because it heals from within. It truly is the universal language of mankind and no matter where we are or with whom, enjoying music guarantees smiles.

So, let's celebrate music and its power to bring us together!

Street musician in Wurzburg, Germany.

This band rocked the Old Main bridge in Wurzburg. Their cover of "Toxic" by Britney Spears made everyone  smile.

I spotted these percussionists during the Africa Festival in Wurzburg, Germany.

In Wurzburg music is everywhere. View of the Marienberg Fortress from the Old Main bridge.

Modern-day troubadour in the gypsy neighbourhood Sacromonte, Granada.

"Pero mira la Alhambra, pero mira que bonita es". A nice rumba flamenca with this view of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada. Unforgettable!

I visited Paris in December, right after Jim Morrison's birthday anniversary (December 8). I saw this boy (with his mother) put flowers and presents on his grave. I was speechless.

Sharing smiles in Montmartre, Paris.

Godrays shine above this young musician in Paris. He and other 2 bandmates were selling their first EP  in Montmartre.

Musique dans le Métro de Paris.

So much art in one picture: a street musician plays traditional Ecuadorian folk songs for a group of ladies in a restaurant decorated with paintings by master painter and sculptor Oswaldo Guayasamin, Imbabura, Ecuador.

Taking a break before rehearsals in Panama City.

I took this picture during one concert of the Panama Jazz Festival 2015.

A jam session among friends, Ciudad del Saber, Panama City.

Bro rocking the beach house in Panama.

Gospel concert in Ciudad del Saber during the Panama Jazz Festival 2015.

I think everyone who has visited the Casco Antiguo in Panama City lately has a picture of this old man. He plays mostly calypso songs in the Paseo de las Bovedas.

An old lady calls it a day in Quito's La Ronda street.

Capoeira songs in Panama's Old town.

Singing about God or love, or both maybe. I would love to learn Arabic to understand the lyrics. Amazing performance by  Tanoura dancers in Cairo, Egypt.

Musician playing with the Tanoura troupe in Cairo.

This man was peacefully playing music on Istanbul's most crowded avenue, Istiklal Caddesi.

Songs under the Galata Tower, Beyoglu, Istanbul.

Have a nice weekend,
Astrid

How could we ever remember a place if it were not for its landscape and people?
I guarantee you Cappadocia is one of those destinations whose uniqueness can be perceived through the simplest everyday life scene.
From a field of crops to the snowy mountain peaks, from the depth of an underground city to the tranquil town life of the countryside; Cappadocia will stay with you forever.
And to support this statement, let me take you with me on a journey to Cappadocia through my pictures...

Mount Hassan.

Anatolian landscape.

Boy, Selime.

Woman, Ihlara Valley.

Mother and daughter, Ihlara Valley.

Fresh orange juice stand, Ihlara Valley.

Town shops in Derinkuyu.

Workshop in Uchisar.

Sunset spot, Goreme.

Sunrise in Kapadokya.

Omurlu ceramic workshop, Avanos.

Goat ice cream vendors in Goreme.

Old lady, Goreme.

After the balloon flight somewhere near Ortahisar.

Lady with bread, Goreme.

Whirling dervish during the Sema ceremony, Dervis Evi, Goreme.

Faruq's fruit stand, Rose Valley.

Tea time with a new friend, Goreme.

Cafe Safak, Goreme.

With Abbas, our new friend, Goreme.

Cappadocia is like a treasure chest. I convinced myself of this during the first day exploring the historical region of Central Anatolia.

I started the day with a delicious Turkish breakfast at the hostel, prepared by the owner Ahmed. A typical Turkish breakfast consists of black olives, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, bread, white cheese and eggs, plus the traditional Cay (Turkish tea). When it comes to breakfast, Turks are definitely tea people.

After breakfast I headed to the lookout point for a first nice view of the valleys. The lookout point is in the middle of the Goreme-Uchisar road. These are the shots of the first stop.

Rock formations near Goreme.

Our new friend explaining us the geography of Cappadocia.

A view of the white hill from the lookout point.

This is me trying to move like a whirling dervish. Just kidding! haha

Souvenirs portraying the Whirling dervishes of the Sema ceremony.

Bro and me with rock formations and Uchisar castle on the upper right corner of the photo.

Valleys, towns and  rock formations in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia.

The next stop was the Selime Monastery. Located in the town of Selime, the rock monastery is one of the largest religious structures in the region. It includes churches with rudimentary icons and frescoes; the latter are barely visible because of the soot that has accumulated in the walls, from the time when the monastery was used for cooking.

To get to the church you only have to climb a steep hill and follow the green arrows. One feature that called my attention was the size of the corridors. I was told that this place was also used as a Caravanserai, which was a very typical construction along the Silk Road. Merchants crossing from West to East or vice versa stayed in caravanserais (roadside inns) to ensure their goods and camels were safe from robbers. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across the networks of trade routes in antiquity. The reason for the size of the corridors was for camels to easily transit through the complex. Amazing!

View of Selime Monastery.

Landscape in Selime.

Corridors of Selime monastery.

Soot covers the walls of Selime monastery.

Selime monastery.

Selime monastery.

The cathedral with frescoes and icons.

 More of Cappadocia on coming posts!
Astrid