Kusadasi, Turkey

Today was Kusadasi, Turkey. The main attraction is the ancient city of Ephesus. Also the home of the Mary, the mother of Jesus is just outside of the ancient city on a hill. This is where she spent the last years of her life. I will also admit this must be one of the best places to shop that In have ever been.

The ancient city of Ephesus is hard to comprehend. The book Ephesians in the new testament was written to these people. In Christ’s time, Ephesus was like New York is today. Large impressive buildings, paved roads, underground plumbing and sewer system, large mansions, and obvious displays of wealth. It was a city of 250,000 people and was the wealthiest city in the Roman empire. They were very successful merchants. Based on the purchases we made today, they still have that same talent. Apparently they did not have a talent for creating an army and they were quick to embrace any dominant rulers to provide them protection. The city is full of monuments to the gods of their protectors and even of their rulers.

I can see why starting an early Christian church here would be so obvious in this Metropolitan city. People came from all over the Mediterranean to trade. Its decline began after the fall of the Roman empire. With the Roman Army occupied solving problems closer to home, Ephesus began have problems of it own. It was often subject to attack with no one to protect it. people discovered it was no fun to make money, only to have it stolen and they began to leave. A series of earthquakes finally made the city fall into ruin and it was abandoned.

Archaeologist have been able to uncovered many of the buildings and roads. We now have a chance to view it splendor, but only 1/3 of the city has been excavated.

Mary’s house is small and the door out of it is only 5’9″ tall. I know this because it hit my forehead and knocked me on my butt on the way out. Maybe Mary was sending me a message. Luckily, there was a spring of healing water just outside the door. I found it was able to make my forehead wet and after a few minutes my head did begin to feel better.

The punch that Mary’s door packed was nothing compared to the aggressive merchants at the shopping area at port. They met us with smiles on their faces, English on their tongues, and fraud in their heart. They will say anything, do anything, or try anything to get you into their shop.
I noticed the most laid back merchant of the group and decided to give him a chance to gouge me. He was able to produce genuine fakes of anything your heart could desire. As I noticed my wife’s heart to begin to desire multiple items, I decided it was time for a beer. I told her, “Honey we have to do this later, I want to get a beer.” Before I could load the trouble making backpack, an assistant merchant had returned with a cold beer. He opened it and handed it to me. As I sat back down, I knew this was about to get expensive.

I am quite certain we did not win the prize for getting the best deal in town on any items we purchased. But they were a fraction of what they would cost in the states and I wish now that I had thought to get the owner’s email address. I probably won the prize for the most complimentary beers. Since they were $10 each on the boat, I think I significantly reduced the net cost of our afternoon.
I am a fan of Turkey and I will return. My only regret is that we missed the opportunity for a traditional Turkish bath where some Turkish guy scrubs you down. I guess we will save that for next time.