Kusadasi (Ephesus) 11/25

Happy day-after Thanksgiving. Hope you two have a great time on the cruise. Maybe the weather will be warmer? Enjoy! Kim (and family)

Today we spent about 7 hours touring including what is suppose to be the home where Mary lived (or a reasonable facsimile - Mary the Mother of Jesus who was suppose to have lived in this area with John). Didn't get any warm fuzzy feelings about it - very crowded. We then went to Ephesus, WOW! It has enough of the ruins (only 25% excavated right now) that you get a phenomenal sense of Paul's time there. We'll fill you in more when we get home. Saw a short funny skit about Roman times. Saw the communal bathroom where the men sat and talked! The streets really do come alive with the street down to the sea still in tact as well as a couple theater. Tried to read some of Ephesians and Acts as we walked but the crowds were heavy (3 ships in port). The Turkish people are very friendly and polite. Our tour guide was wonderful and made the sites come alive.It was the last day of the season and many deals to be had for Turkish carpets but alas we spent our money on the trip and another $2800 for a rug that is worth $8000-9000 was just not to be. We saw one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World - the Temple of Atheana (one column left) and then St. John's Bascillica where John was suppose to be buried but isn't. He did live in the area. Great day, weather has been fabulous since we left the UK, no rain and in the 60's.