The Izmir part of the trip has been non-stop touring until this morning when we have the luxury of nothing to do until check out at noon well, except do yoga, eat breakfast, enjoy the view and pack, but we aren't on a bus very early, so it feels rather vacation-like. It is also nice to have the few relaxed hours before traveling back officially begins.
It seems like we arrived in Izmir ages ago, but really only three days. The first evening Jeff and I walked along the sea wall and had drinks at the first place we saw, then dinner at Efes house which was not so great, we both felt a little sick the next day, but still hard to beat the setting.
Tuesday we went to Pergamon. The tour guide chose this site first because Tuesday is the day all the cruise ships arrive and go to Ephesus. 4 cruise ships and something like 10,000 people pour into the site. We drove for about 1.5 hours through the city, then through some pretty lush farm land. Our guide, Nazim, gave us a thorough account of contemporary life in Izmir. There is less than 4% unemployment in this city, largely due to tourism, farming, and trade. 98 percent education rate. People really do seem happy living here. it might be like the Austin of Turkey. He also emphasized again the importance of Turkey being a secular state, between as he put, it "the deep, dark, Islamic countries" and Europe. Great phrase, worth the trip in and of itself.
We also drove by an environmentally friendly oil refinery. Well as environmentally friendly as possible. Really there was a beautiful beach right by it, compare that to something like Bay Town. Nazim said they spent over 20 million making it where it had as little impact on the environment as possible.
I had the opportunity to see the Altar from the temple of Zeus many years ago when it was travelling from Berlin to NYC but it in no way prepared me for the majesty of this site. There are pictures on facebook, but one thing we did not get a picture of, an owl flying right in front of us as we were looking down on the Temple of Dionysus. The owl flew from the direction of the Athena temple and library and it really felt like we were being blessed by the goddess. Incredible moment.
Things that struck me about the site, how many religions exist over the centuries in any one place. It is so difficult for me to see how anyone can believe one religion has a monopoly on the truth of religious experience. The audacity of taking the Altar to Berlin or Elgin taking the friezes of the Parthenon to England. The fact that people from so many walks of life were allowed in the high part of the city. The massiveness of the library and that it too was a holy site.
However, as great as the Acropolis was, Jeff and I were both even more amazed by the Asclepeion.
However, as great as the Acropolis was, Jeff and I were both even more amazed by the Asclepeion.
Wholistic healing of the ascelipion.
Dreams water, psycholgien
Hygiene and regular medicine as well.
Pine trees,
Feeling of the air similar to one in Greece.
Theatre in both locations,
Ascelpion even more interesting.
Oldest Isis cultt.
Dinner at mezzaluna.
Guides government Turkish citizen other languages.
On the water. People knowing each other, saw dentist owner of the restarunt.
People have difference of opion but not fighting.
15 percent more fundamentalist.