Kayseri, Turkey: Where the Wind Whispers Secrets (and My Fingers are Numb)
okay, so. kayseri. i didn’t plan to end up here. honestly, the numbers - 298333 and 1792525360 - those were just scribbled on a napkin after a particularly intense rehearsal. touring drums, you know? it’s a life. a chaotic, beautiful, sleep-deprived life. and sometimes, that life takes you to places you never expected. like kayseri.
I just checked and it’s…a damp, grey sort of day. the kind that seeps into your bones. the temperature’s hovering around eleven point four, feels like ten point six. pressure’s steady, humidity’s a bit much, but hey, at least it’s not raining. i’m bundled up like a yeti, let me tell you.
I’m here because my band, ‘Static Bloom’ (don’t ask), got booked for a festival. a tiny festival. but hey, a gig’s a gig. and kayseri…well, it’s…interesting. it’s not exactly overflowing with tourist traps, which, honestly, is a relief. i’m tired of the same old postcard views. i want grit. i want authenticity. i want to feel like i’m actually somewhere.
and kayseri delivers. it’s got this…energy. a quiet, ancient energy. you can feel it in the stones of the *Kayseri Castle, in the way the wind whips through the streets. i spent a good hour just wandering around, getting lost in the maze of alleyways. stumbled upon a tiny bakery - the smell of fresh bread alone was worth the trip.
Speaking of which, someone told me that the simit here is legendary. apparently, you have to try it from that little stand near the Hunhatun Madrasa. “It’s the best in the whole region,” the guy at my hotel mumbled, half-asleep. “Don’t argue with me about it.” Drunk advice, maybe? but i’m willing to risk it.
I’m staying in a little guesthouse near the city center. it’s…rustic. let’s go with rustic. the owner, a lovely woman named Ayşe, keeps offering me endless cups of tea. which, honestly, i’m not complaining about. it’s the only thing keeping me from turning into an ice sculpture.
“They say the ghosts of the Seljuk sultans still wander the castle at night. Don’t look them in the eye.” - overheard from a group of teenagers huddled around a kebab stand.
If you get bored, Niğde and Sivas are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of taking a day trip to Develi tomorrow. Apparently, the views from Mount Erciyes are incredible. I’ll need to pack extra layers, though.
I’ve been trying to find some decent coffee. it’s…a challenge. let’s just say i’m missing my pour-over. I did find a place that claims to have “Turkish espresso.” We’ll see about that. I’ll update you. Check out this local coffee shop review board: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=coffee&find_loc=Kayseri,+Kayseri,+Turkey.
Pro-Tip #1: Learn a few basic Turkish phrases. Seriously. it goes a long way. Pro-Tip #2: Bargain. Everything is negotiable. Pro-Tip #3: Don’t be afraid to get lost. that’s where the real adventures happen. Pro-Tip #4: Try the mantı. tiny dumplings filled with meat. apparently, they’re a local specialty. I found a great place on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g297988-Kayseri.html.
I’m heading out to explore some more. Wish me luck (and warmth). I’m also checking out the local forums for events: https://www.kaydergi.com/. Maybe I'll find some live music. Or at least a decent cup of coffee.
Oh! And something a local warned me about: apparently, the stray cats here are very* territorial. Don’t make eye contact. Just…don’t.
Stay tuned for more updates from kayseri. It’s…an experience.
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