Last couple days of travel: Got off plane from Istanbul to Paris and there were 3 French polis at the end of the gangway - checking everyone's passports. Later someone told me there may certain incoming planes from some countries where this is standard.
Patdowns - for some reason, white hair and all, I seem to be often randomly checked for additional security and patdowns - had 3 patdowns in one day! They don't bother me and it does not feel invasive but am just trying to figure out why:)
Istanbul: We took a day trip (21 hours long) to go to Ephesus - got picked up at 5am and dropped about about 1 am after flying to Izmir. Ephesus is one of the greatest ruined cities in the western world built in about 1000 BC - that's over 3,000 years ago.
This is a room with 42 latrines (toilets) - no privacy - you just sat there and did your job and had to pay to enter - then supposedly the same guy that collected this money also collected the "fertilizer" at the bottom and solid it - if you know what I mean!
Amphitheater - carved into Mt. Pion during Hellenistic period and "remodeled" by the Romans. Elton John and Michael Jackson, among others, performed here in the early 1990s - it is now under renovation.
Ephesus - fantastic - Library of Celsius in background - a beautiful sunny day.
You know who with Library in the background, built AD 114-117 for a guy's father, damaged by an earthquake in 1,000.
Temple of Artemis remains - was a place of worship and in this picture are 3: Muslim, Christian and Pagans - they all lived in peace and had their own places of worship. It is one of the "Seven Wonders of the World"
Back to Istanbul: Went to Basilica Cistern where 2 Medusa heads are found. It is said if you just glanced at her you would be turned to stone - especially if you were a man. We are still walking and talking.
One of my beautiful and cheap finds - a "brooch" of felted wool. Hoping niece Molly can replicate some for me and others:)
Turkish coffee - Sara had warned me - it is made by boiling "pulverized coffee beans" 3 times with sugar, pouring into very small cup and drinking only the top - Ross drank the sludge on the bottom which takes up about half the tiny cup. It is said if you just sip the top and then tip the remainder over it can be "read" as your fortune.
Still thinking about the trip - I would recommend Istanbul as a very nice and safe place to go with lovely people and good food - need I say more?
Still thinking about the trip - I would recommend Istanbul as a very nice and safe place to go with lovely people and good food - need I say more?Busy weeks coming up now but still plan to tell more of the stories of the people of Turkey - maybe France too!
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