Selçuk/Ephesus

So, last Friday, Brad and I started our trip heading for Izmir. We ended up passing through there rather quickly and stayed the next two nights in Selcuk, which is the 6th settlement of Ephesus. The settlement that is of Biblical interest is the 3rd settlement, and it is the only one that is being worked on right now from what we were told. (By the way, most of the pictures are of Brad because I haven't gotten his pictures of me from him yet.)

The stadium at Ephesus, with Brad

Because we had so much time there, we ended up seeing most of the things of interest in the area. The first day we were there we saw the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. As you can see below, there's not much left of it... but it used to be big enough to fit a football field inside. (Portions of it got used to build a church eventually and then portions of that church got used to build a mosque even later. The rest of the Temple is supposed to be in the British Museum.)

The Biggest Remains of the Temple of Artemis

We also saw the Ephesus Museum and took an Ephesus tour. The ruins of Ephesus are quite impressive. It is definitely easier to have a mental picture of what was going on a couple of millenia ago after visiting. As excavations are continuing, the site should continue to get better.

The Agora in EphesusThe Temple of Hadrian

It is interesting that we were told that ancient temples were typically beautifully decorated on the outside but rather plain on the inside. Compare that with the ancient Jewish Temple.

A Main Street in Ephesus ending at the Library, mostly original

After we finished at Ephesus, we stopped by a pottery making place and enjoyed watching the master potter make some stuff and then looked at much of what they had made.

Related posts: Seven Churches Intro and Miletus; Sardis, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Smyrna; Colossae, Laodecia, Hierapolis; Pergamum; first trip to Hierapolis; trip to Cappodocia

Kapadokya

Well, Brad and I are now in Cappodocia, having arrived this morning.

Yesterday we saw Pamukkale/Hierapolis and that was good.

The picture below ıs the Ephesus library. I´m hoping to do a complete picture presentation of the trip once we get back.

Selcuk...

We're in Selcuk; we've managed to see the stuff that's here... Pictures may occur at a later (faster-internet connection) time. Tomorrow should be Ephesus and then head to Denizli. ttfn

Monday-Thursday

Many adventures:
Monday, Brad and I went and visited Topkapi Palace which is very well worth the admission price. The jewel collection is excellent; the gun and weapon collection is also outstanding. For additional pictures of that you will have to wait, although I may upload some to Facebook soon if you want to see them there.

Tuesday and Wednesday, we did a smaller variety of things. Tuesday was a very nice day, and Wednesday (and today) were very rainy. Thus, our plans occasionally got rearranged. The Grand Bazaar is one of the places that we went during that time.

Today we visited the Ayasofia (Hagia Sofia). It is BIG! :) I have a much greater appreciation for it now that I have been inside. The museum is very tastefully done and manages to show the history of the building quite well; thus the picture of me in some sort of "preaching seat" apparently from the Byzantine times... but I'm not sure. Very impressive place if you ever get a chance to visit.

Tomorrow, Brad and I are hoping to visit the Turkish Military Museum and then begin our trip south. Tentative schedule should be Izmir, Ephesus, Denizli, Goreme, and Ankara. We are planning to spend about 8-9 days on the trip. And I have no idea if I will post during the trip or not.
Till later...

Just a word or two about life

Since I know my loyal readers are waiting with bated breath to see what happens next in my life...

I unceremoniously (badly) failed this month of Turkish classes. The fact that we had covered a ton of material was very consoling, and I plan to retake the course in January most likely, since I think I can gain a lot by doing so.

And Brad arrived this morning... late as expected. But we did make it to our 10:30 meeting very close to on-time. Maybe the most exciting part of his coming was that I had to get up early enough to see the sunrise, as demonstrated by the pictures... it's been a while since I've done that. :) So, tomorrow begins our weeks of exploration of history and culture throughout Turkey. We've already added one new stop to the proposed itinerary for our trip which should start Friday.

Wednesday update

Turkey won the soccer match that I mentioned in my post last week! That takes care of old news updates.

Last Thursday I had a normal day, since Thanksgiving is not a holiday here. But in the evening, one of the other Americans I know here invited Dersan, Duygu, and I over, and we had an excellent Thanksgiving Dinner. (And no, we didn't have turkey; apparently those are only readily available around New Year's.)

Saturday was a time of much frisbee playing; and in the evening, some friends with twin girls came over to visit. So, the picture is of D&D and I with the twins. :) Two cry twice as much as one... profound truth!
Those have been the main events outside of my continuing Turkish class. But today was the last day of lessons, and tomorrow we have the 4 major exams. Then, on Friday, Brad should get here in the evening. And then we will be doing stuff together for about 3 weeks. I am definitely excited about the five week vacation from Turkish and also looking forward to traveling and learning in different venues.
I may forget to post for a bit, but you can always email me if you want.

And a poem from July

Help, O Lord
7/27/07

In desperation, my cry goes up,
“My feet know not their way.
My heart is weak; my soul unsure;
O Lord, light up my way.”

In resolution, I seek His face,
“Thy hand I would grasp tight;
Yet if I slip, or if I faint,
O Lord, still hold me nigh.”

In calm assurance, I plead His truth,
“Thy promises are sure;
I will but cling and walk by faith.
O Lord, fulfill Thy Word.”

- MCC

Two Poems from June

My Lord Cares – 6/5/07 (by me)

“He careth for thee”
And not just for thee,
But for all of the “thee’s” on this earth.
He bled and He died;
He lives – glorified,
Declaring “thee” consummate worth.


I John – 6/25/07 (by me)
Love with
Holiness
The balance sought;
Pure with
Charity
Our life-work taught.

The happenings

So, what has been happening in the last while? Well, last Thursday, Dersan (one of my housemates) had a birthday, so we celebrated that. But the power was out, until just after the celebration was done. So, thus a picture of a candle-lit cake.

Tonight is a major soccer match of the Turkish national team, so that will be this evening's important event. A win is crucial for advancing to the next round.

Today I gave a speech in Turkish class on Davy Crockett, so my head is full of random trivia about him right now. (Did you know that he wasn't called Davy during his life? Did you know that he had 6 kids, three of whom were likely teenagers when he died?)

Final note, today is the beginning of Thanksgiving Break at NBBC. So, that's nice for someone special. Bethany's spending the break with a friend in Michigan.

A word or two

şüphelenmiyorsunuzdur - "(I hope) you are not suspecting me" (of the crime)

There was something of a collective groan when we read this word in class the other day. But the teacher rattles it off no problem. :)

şüphelen + m + iyor + sunuz + dur = main verb + negative + present continuous tense + 2nd person + "maybe" suffix