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| The Spice Market in Istanbul |
Please forgive me. We are 8 days behind in our blog. I am posting our blog from Turkey as we sit at the airport in Amman, awaiting our flight to Bangkok.
Let me start by sending our prayers out to the Turkish families who lost their loved ones in the 7.2 Earthquake in the Southwestern area of Turkey. We were not affected but the devastation is severe.
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| The Golden Horn by Istanbul |
We have simply loved our travels in Turkey. From the Cappadocia region in central Turkey, we flew to Izmir and traveled to Selcuk, a lovely small town that reminded me a lot of Kailua, Hawaii. Selcuk served as an ideal location for day trips to Western Turkey’s plentiful Hittite, Hellenistic, and Roman ruins.
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| Cappadocia |
We visited Milletus, a town where Socrates was born and raised. Many other famous philosophers and intellectuals came from Milletus which was known for its superb education. St. Paul also visited this town on his third missionary journey. Milletus was an island in Roman times but the land has since been silted in. Didyma was an important sacred site in the ancient Greek world with the Temple of Apollo and the oracle. Priene was another holy city in Greek times and home to the Temple of Athena.
Another place we traveled to while on the Western coast was Pamukkale, the location of the ancient Roman city, Hierapolis. Aside from some well-preserved ruins including a Roman theatre and burial grounds, Hierapolis is built atop white travertine rocks with thermal hot spring pools.
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| Pamukkale |
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| Pamukkale |
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| Ephesus |
Pergamon and Ephesus host the largest and best-preserved ancient archeological sites in the area. Pergamom was founded on the top of a hill 300 meters high. It was inhabited as early as 2000 BC through the 14th century AD; it’s location accounts for its highly defensible position and longevity as a city. In Greek times, Pergamon was favored by the Goddess Athena, while Ephesus was protected by the Goddess Artemis. Both have temples to their respective protectors. Ephesus is also world famous for its awe-inspiring library, and meticulously restored terrace houses. Ephesus is the largest archeological site in Turkey and is amazingly well preserved. Mark and I truly enjoyed walking through this living museum.
We also spent some time in Troy. We had a fabulous guide who explained how the city had been rebuilt again and again in the same spot. So by the 12th stage, today’s Troy is close to 100 meters taller than Troy I which is dated to 2000 BC. Simply amazing!
Our last stop in Western Turkey was Galipoli, scene of the WW1 battle between the Australian, New Zealanders, Brits and Turkey. Once again our guide made history come alive and we grieved with the soldiers on both sides of the battle who fought so valiantly for so little.
After our travels around Turkey, we returned to Istanbul and our adopted Turkish family: Sadik, Sami, Oz, Mi, Zeke, Ossana. Our room at the Ermine Sultan Hotel was simply divine—Ossana, you and your Mom have done a fabulous job decorating your beautiful boutique hotel. Thank you Sadik for sharing your family with us.
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| Mark, Sadik, Sami |
The more I travel the more I realize our similarities as people. I credit Zeke for an insightful observation. In trying to explain how people are just people, he offers the following exercise. Close your eyes. Take the hand of another individual. Without looking, can you discern that person’s color, race, nationality, political persuasion or religious beliefs? No, only that they are another human being. It does make you stop and wonder why there is so much distrust, and fear among people. Indeed we are far more alike than we are different.
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| At St. John's Bascilica in Selchuk |
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