Wednesday, December 11, 2013

kusadasi, turkey

The city of Kusadasi is near the ancient biblical city of Ephesus, the people who resided there were the Ephesians.  We hopped aboard a tour to see these ancient sites.  The first stop was a home that was believed to be the last place where Mary the mother of Jesus lived before she died.  The pope has declared it so.  It was a tiny little brick house that is considered a holy place by many worshippers. 

There is water that runs under the home that is considered holy.  You can fill up bottles to bring home, drink it, wash yourself in it and you will be blessed.  We decided the sick man should probably cleanse his hands with the holy water and couldn't help thinking of Nacho Libre the whole time.  
Outside the shrine in her home you will find a wishing wall where you tie your wishes on fabric or paper to the wall.  We put our own wish on the wall.
Next, we walked through the ancient ruins of the city of Ephesus.  
And of course we had to document their ancient toilet facilities.
The library is so beautiful and detailed.  I was completely blown away by the ancient architecture and detail found on every structure.
 This stadium is said to be a place where the apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians. 
 Back in Kusadasi we explored their grand bazaar, which is apparently the place to shop in europe for all kinds of trinkets, clothing, and shoes.  I fell in love with the turkish rugs that are painstakingly hand made.  They were WAY out of our price range, but so beautiful.  Even the tiny ones they make for souvenirs were expensive.
This little port city made me want to visit Istanbul and other parts of turkey.  It was just a glimpse of so many foreign sights and sounds.  

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