This is a story where I didn’t get what I wanted.

Whilst preparing the trip to Cappadocia, there is one activity that really caught my imagination: a sunrise balloon flight over the rocky landscape. I was expecting it to be one of the highlights of the trip, but didn’t want to book in advance as the weather in this early season would still be unpredictable.

The weather was indeed very variable. As it happened, the days following my arrival didn’t have the right conditions for flights, leading to a long waiting list. It is only late in the evening before the only opportunity that I received the dreaded confirmation: there was no space left.

It was out of sheer frustration that I still decided to go up early the next morning: if I wasn’t going to be in the balloon, I would at least witness the takeoff and the sunrise. What I didn’t expect however, was the pure magic of that morning.

Soon after stepping outdoor, one could hear the humming noise of the balloon being filled up in the distance. The sun started rising over the mountain during the climb to the viewing point near Göreme, and once on the other side, a mighty view revealed itself.

Thanks to the wind direction, the balloons started coming in my direction. Seeing them moving in total silence - and passing barely a few meters over me - was an amazing experience. It was then possible to follow them to the over side of the plateau, where they flew over the rock formation of Baglidere Vadisi (White Valley).

This morning reminded me of a forgotten lesson: don’t be disappointed if life doesn’t go your way, you never know what unexpected experience will come from it. That, plus the Beatles were right.

I didn’t get what I wanted. I got much better.