We arrived Kusadasi and made our way to the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Here we entered through the Magnesia Gate to the marble paved road into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. We walked past the Odeum, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hardian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater, where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians. The Ephesus Museum houses an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman statues, carved reliefs and aftifacts unearthed from the ruins.
Not nearly as interesting, but certainly worthwhile is the local Bazaar which has grown to one of Turkey's largest markets for leather goods, jewelry and oriental rugs. Only the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is bigger. As I've said before - these guys are salesmen, they'll sell anything. It is just too much. You can hardly turn around without someone in your face. All kidding aside, the rugs here are fantastic. There is cotton, wool, wool on cotton, wool on wood. wool on silk, and of course the most expensive rug - silk on silk. They are such incredible works of art. There are small prayer rugs, to be used of course for praying or as a wall hanging. Then there are the monster rugs that are exquisite. Multiples of thousands of dollars. I couldn't leave empty handed - but we only bought one. I just love it. It's my 20th anniversary present from Joe. I'm still smiling.......It is lovely.
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