"Where shall we go for our vacation this year?"
"Singapore & Malaysia - Sentosa Island, Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, 
cable car ride to Genting Highlands..." 
"Let's do Disney World, USA. 
Better still, let's visit the Middle Kingdom in New Zealand!"
"Mom has that look on her face!"
"Cappadocia in Turkey".
"So weird!"
"Cappadocia is famous for underground cities in natural volcanic formations. 
Early Christians formed them to hide from their Roman invaders. 
It's a beautiful historical place."
"What else?"
"Song from Rajini movie Chandramukhi was shot there!"
"Then let's go there!" (Clamorous clapping)
"That explains your secret smile!"
"I know my kids!"

*This week’s photo prompt reminded me of three things:

1. Proverbs 30: 24-28

24“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: ²⁵ Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; ²⁶ Hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; ²⁷ locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; ²⁸ a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

2.  Cappadocia 

Here the Romans tortured the first Christians. Religious cave paintings display evidence of early Christianity. These caves were also used as hiding places. This is the most unique natural environment in Turkey with its magical, fairy like landscape. Mount Erciyes, previously known as Argaeus, is only 50 km away to the south of Cappadocia is a former volcano. The previously violent eruptions of the volcano caused sedimentation of large quantities of ash layers in whole area. The ash layers were solidified during the following centuries, at the same time rivers and brooks gouged grooves and wind and rains eroded the top level in different shapes and depth. The result was the cone structures here and there and sometimes a large group of them concentrated in one area. Some of them hide below a harder stone hat, under which they can better resist erosion.

At the bottom of these stone formations and cones, churches, cathedrals, homes and storage facilities were hewn out. During the early ages of Christianity, this place was a refuge for first Christians of Asia Minor. More recently, the area was a safe-haven for the Christians, under the threat of Muslim Arabs, between 7th and 13th centuries. There are hundreds of churches carved on rock formations in the area. Urgup, Goreme, Zelve, Avanos, Soganli, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Ihlara Valley, Cavusin, Pasabag, Ortahisar, Uchisar are among the famous places with large numbers of early Christian settlements and churches in Cappadocia region. It is also known that St. Paul established one of the first Christian colonies in this region with his followers.

3. FILM SHOOTING LOCALE

Ah the magical Cotton Castle hot springs of Turkey is truly a romantic place to bask into. The movie that ran for more than a 1000 days made it’s mark on Pamukkale and Cappadocia to shoot a song for Chandramukhi. https://blog.pickyourtrail.com/5-locations-every-rajini-fan-must-visit/

Cappadocia hosts world-renowned movies: http://www.hotel-in-cappadocia.com/en/cappadocia/important-facts/filmset-cappadocia.html

A total of 265 state and private TV stations from 45 countries have shot either documentaries of films in Cappadocia in the last 15 years. The Cappadocia region in central Anatolia, famous for natural wonders such fairy chimneys and caves, has become the focus of attraction for both international and Turkish TV producers (Statement issued by the Nevşehir Museum Directorate).

Cappadocia has hosted several famous movies over the last 15 years, its attraction aided by its magnificent natural beauty, historic and religious sites and underground cities. Among them were “Medea,” in which the leading role was played by world-famous soprano Maria Callas, ”Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs Du Coran,” with famous actor Omar Sharif and “L’Empire des Loups / Empire of the Wolves” which included famous French actor Jean Reno.

I combined these in to my account! If you know Indians (and Asians) you will understand the film craze and especially the craze for one particular actor!

*Friday Fictioneers is talented group of enthusiasts penning down a story, a poem, a prose, etc.,  expressing their heart about a photo prompt, every week. Thanks for this week’s beautiful photo prompt © CEAyr