The Sea is so calm you would not know you were on a ship!

A Day at Sea followed by Ephasus, Turkey

We enjoyed a day at sea on Thursday as the ship headed to Ephasus, Turkey. These sea days serve to make you even more relaxed!! We slept in (if you call 7:30 sleeping in) - ate a leisurely breakfast - and found our way to the pool area to claim a couple of chairs. Reading, snoozing, walking a mile around the deck... lunch (all you do is eat), followed by more of the same. We are enjoying our cruise very much, but also missing our family and friends at home and thinking of them often. The weather continues to be amazing - warm but always a breeze. We may have a day of rain on the horizon but no complaints here.

We woke up Friday morning to find ourselves in Ephasus, Turkey. As our ship information sheet explains, Ephasus is one of antiquity's best preserved cities and excavations in this city reach back to the 10th century BC - again, the history in this part of the world is often so hard to comprehend. It's very humbling.

Our tour took us first to the house where it's believed that Mary (mother of Jesus) lived out her final days. It is believed that John and others brought her here and the trip may have taken them 3 years allowing for the possibility that they had to keep a low profile and hide their wanderings; plus, Mary was not that young. 

It is a tiny, stone house up in the hills above Ephasus. It's a very spiritual place for many of the visitors. No cameras allowed inside and silence is expected. The picture shows us in front of the house prior to entering. Afterwards there are pretty plantings to admire and the Virgin Mary's House Souvenirs store (yikes)! You then meander your way back to the entrance. Along the way there is a stone wall where many, many people write their prayers or wishes on a small piece of paper and stuff them in between the cracks in the wall - hoping their plea will be heard and answered by the Virgin Mary. 

Turkey is very agricultural with products such as peaches, apricots, and olives an important part of their economy. Their weather provides for very fertile earth.

Carpet making continues as well and is done through co-ops - there are whole-sellers in the city but they work with women throughout the country. So many of these carpets are woven in villages throughout the country and can take 6 months to 3 years, depending on the size of the carpet. We were treated to a demonstration of the carpet-making process and saw many beautiful, finished masterpieces.  We were also offered a drink and a snack - all part of the process to get you to consider buying a carpet. We did not!!!

We visited the old city of Ephesus, which was rebuilt 3 times. This old city is 9700 years old and they had built a system for water and sewage - France had not done that until, I believe he said, the 17th Century?

We saw the Library of Celsus, which held many, many scrolls. This library was built by the son to hide his father's remains.

The ampitheater in this same area held 25,000 people and it is said that John preached here and converted many to Christianity.

Unfortunatley my pictures of the Library of Celsus and the ampitheater are on my 35mm camera and I will have to upload them when I get home.

Some facts about Turkey from our guide:

Why is the Black Sea so cold and so low in salt? Fresh, cold water from the Black Mountains that run along the northern coastline runs down into the Black Sea.

You can find all the seasons in Turkey. In the middle and northern areas temperatures can drop below zero in the winter.

Over 50% of Turkey's population is under the age of 25 and they are not much interested in religion; however, they do like their Facebook, What's App, Twitter, and other social media. Hmmm.. what might that mean for the future generation and politics of Turkey?

17% of marriages are still arranged.

School is required by the government and if you don't send your child they will come out and knock on your door to find out why!

Military service is required of all but if you pay $6000, your child only has to serve 6 months.

Google and read the story of the 7 Sleepers!