Izmir is mentioned in 3000 BC, known as Symrna. We were fortunate to be able to visit Ephesus, just an hour outside of Izmir. Prior to arriving there, we visited the Shrine of the Virgin Mary, where she supposedly spent her later days when John took her there when persecution became so intense following the crucifixion.
The wall at Mary's Shrine where people put prayers in the cracks of the wall, like they do on the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
A spring brings fresh water into the fountains here.
We next arrived at Ephesus--the place where Paul wrote and spoke to the Ephesians, and which has existed since the 6th Century BC. George standing by a fig tree.
Pipes that carried the water throughout the city.
An ancient game of Backgammon.
The government area of Ephesus.
Where Nike got its symbol.
Marble is very plentiful in quarries near by, so the town has used a great deal of it in their buildings, columns, and even their streets.
The marble is beautiful, but it is very slippery, especially when it rains.
Initials left by the quarry cutting company, probably by mistake.
The shops for the rich--with mosaics on the path in front of them.
The rich could shop along their special street and then go to their homes built up the hill above the shops.
This area is amazing--these are the public toilets for only the rich. In order that their conversations could be held privately from the ears of those outside the walls, a pond was placed in the middle with croaking frogs and toads.
The women were resigned to go to the bushes and trees to "relieve" themselves!
The Library!
Grooves of the chariot wheels can still be seen cut into the marble roads.
A "billboard" showing those who want to go to the "Houses of Ill Repute" where to go.
Steps leading up to the Great Theater. It is still used for concerts today!
The Great Theater can hold 25,000 people. This could be where Paul would have talked to the people of Ephesus. Later, it was turned into a sporting arena where blood sports, such a Gladiators fought or prisoners were challenged to fight for their lives.
We ate lunch at a training center for the art of hand weaving.
After lunch, we were able to see the students at work. It was amazing! Some rugs require two or three years to be made!
This woman was weaving with wool.
This woman is weaving with silk thread.
We got to see how the silk is unraveled from the silk worm. Fascinating!
Inside all that wound up silk thread is the actual silk worm.
Then, we saw the Bascilica of St. John, where it is said John the Beloved is buried, although we believe John was granted his request from the Savior to never taste of death.
The Temple of Artemis is seen just beyond the palm trees in the middle of the pic. The large column is basically all that is left of it. It was built to honor Artemis, one of three maiden goddesses of Olympus. It was constructed in the mid-sixth century BC.
Back in Izmir, we visited the Izmir Main Square, where we loved watching children playing in the water and with the pigeons.
The Clock Tower was given as a gift by the Germans, at the Konak Square.
George got a wonderful shoe-shine from this gentleman on the Square.
We then strolled through the Grand Bazaar--which was truly "Grand!"
We crossed the Bay of Izmir, which empties into the Aegean Sea.
While in Izmir, George did the audit in the home of the Branch President. What a special time that was--he is a NATO soldier. and he and his wife are both Hungarian, know very little Turkish, but he is the Branch President over Turkish members. He and his wife both know English, however, so somehow they make do. They meet in a room at the Marriott Hotel. They were so sweet, and I just fell in love with their little 22 month old daughter. At first she was very shy, but soon she was laughing and playing with me. It surely made me homesick for the grand kids. They are expecting a son in about 10 weeks, which they are very excited about.
One last pic about Izmir--well, really all places we stayed in Turkey--you just must have lots of olives at breakfast. Since I LOVE olives, I really was in heaven.
Last auditing site: Ankara, Turkey, on next post.
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