Life Among the Ruins

EPHESUS AND ENVIRONS

Our guide and driver, Murselin suggested we see the museum first, followed by the mosque and St. John's Basilica then the late afternoon at Ephesus. He has clearly done this a time or two before since the timing worked out beautifully to have lunch in between.

Murselin our driver and guide while in Sirince

About Murselin - he met us at the airport and from then on stuck like glue. His English is quite good and loves all things American and especially Starbucks coffee! He is a driver, guide, works in a carpet store with his cousin, and a Kurdish wedding singer. Yes, he is easy on the eyes but more than that, entertainingly funny and utterly vain but in a silly way. He announces his arrival by exclaiming "handsome man, I am here!" Normally a person would find this terribly annoying but he laughs at himself along with us.

Kurdish wedding singer, Murselin!

Black Sheep Carpets and friends

One day we asked that he drop us off at the beach for a couple of hours so we could hang out in our swimsuits without feeling self conscious. He let us get settled then graced us with his company at our beach chairs. We took some photos, one of the two of us to which he remarked "Is that me? Wow I look so good!" to think I was concerned about how much skin was showing.





Oh, back to topic: The museum is a good precursor to the activities planned. It's sets the foundation and demonstrates fairly easily the discovery, intent and examples of these ancient civilizations and the political environments surrounding them. No need to spend much time there, just enough to brush up. The Isabey Mosque sits just below the citadel of St. John's Basilica were both early sites prior to life at Ephesus.

Isabey Mosque, Selcuk

original columns and ruins of Isabey Mosques dating to 1375

the ruins at St. John's Basilica, Selcuk

more ruins

We took a lunch break at a small cafe of Murselin's friend Ebo who seemed quite entertained by the The American Sweeties. 

meet Ebo 

lunch at Ebo's

After lunch He brought us by his cousin's shop where we had the sales pitch on carpets. All well and good, everyone is striving to make a living.

On our way to Ephesus with perfect timing as the major tours were starting to wind down. It's been many years since I've studied and written about Roman and Hellenistic archaeological ruins though all familiar. The amphitheater and library were most impressive. Begun the visit at the top entrance winding down though the ancient civilization past the Agora, Bath of Agora, and Odeon making your way towards the terrace houses towards the library before a path to The Great Theater.

Ephesus ruins...

more...

the library...

the marble walk...

the amphitheater

What made me laugh? Girls in high heels and dresses desperately trying to navigate the slippery and uneven marble walkways and steps; painfully tiptoeing baby steps.