Ephesus

Al and I had spent time in Athens only a few short months ago so I wasn’t desperate to go back to the Acropolis. I could see it as I strolled the streets of Athens. I knew that amazing treasures awaited me on the coast of Ionia in Izmir Province in Turkey so I just enjoyed a leisurely Athenian day in the sun.

We arrived into Kusadasi in Turkey at 7 and again climbed on a bus at 7.30 to Meryem Ana Evi or Mother Mary’s House just a few km from Ephesus. It is in the most amazing spot. A really high climb up a mountain and then to the most lushest, coolest forest on the mountain top. Mass was in full swing as it was Sunday morning and it was incredibly peaceful with Christian and Muslim devotees engaged in beautiful singing. 

It was quite a contrast to stroll the stone and marble roads of the most amazing ancient city that I have ever been to. It is hard to describe the sheer enormity of Ephesus. My geography is clearly not great as I hadn’t processed, I was no longer in Europe but in Asia. I have never seen anything like the Library of Celsus or the 25,000 seat theatre, the largest in the ancient world. The theatre is still used for modern day performances. I have sat on Hadrian’s wall in the UK but Hadrian’s Temple here in Anatolia was next level. I was at the juncture of the Silk and Spice Roads and my imagination was in total overdrive. It was just incredible.