Last day in Turkey

Another amazing night of sleep was capstones by an early morning 4 mile run. These are my favorite as I was able to witness the seaside town slowly come alive. It was a sweaty run along an iconic coast dotted with ancient fortresses, early morning fisherman, and roaming packs of dog. 

Our final day in Turkey was an unforgettable journey guided by the remarkable Oz, whose passion for history and boundless energy lifted every moment with excitement and wonder. Our journey began at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, where Oz regaled us with tales of its grandeur and significance throughout the ages.  (Emily standing in front of what’s left of the temple of Artemis holding her own little Artemis). As we stood in awe before its majestic ruins, we marveled at the ingenuity of ancient civilizations and the enduring legacy of human endeavor. This would make our 5th of 7 world wonders!!

Next, we ventured to the serene sanctuary of the Virgin Mary’s last known house, a place of pilgrimage and reflection. This was made more pungent by an active mass there at the time, because it was Sunday. We even anointed ourselves with holy water from a continuous fountain that had been blessed by multiple popes! 

Our highlight awaited us at Ephesus, where Oz led us through the ancient streets and majestic ruins of this once-great city.  With his encyclopedic knowledge and captivating storytelling, he brought the past to life before our eyes, immersing us in the vibrant tapestry of Ephesian life. We even laid our eyes on an ancient hospital with the original caduceus symbol!  Another cool statue we came across the the goddess Nike, goddess of victory. You can even see the swoosh. Finally, we got to see original Greek toilets. It was ironic that you sat next to each other thus more of a social gathering with a fountain in the middle to cover the sounds. There is also a communal brush for cleaning. The women in our group, all clucked when our guide informed us that they were just for men and women had to go outside and fine a tree.. 

Among the many wonders we encountered was the Celsius Library, a testament to the intellectual and cultural richness of ancient Ephesus.   The grand 25,000 person Greek theater was jaw dropping. This grand structure was carved out of the mountainside and had been ideally positioned for the best view of the, now dried up, ocean. Ephesus was impressive all around.  As we wandered, Oz shared fascinating and fun tidbits of information, such as the symbolism of the snake on the caduceus, was because serpents are never ill and SPA actually stands for ‘salud por agua’ (health from water). HE reminded me of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding as the father could source ANY word to its Greek origins. 

As we bid farewell to Turkey, we carried with us not only memories of its awe-inspiring wonders but also the desire to return to go ballooning! Now, off to Greece!!