10/11/13
Another beautiful day in Turkey and another full day of sightseeing. Today our first sight was the dam in Turkey that provided energy through thermal power. There are many homeless dogs that the country protect and there was one dog laying at this viewing point. He followed some members of my group around, whining for food. He looked like he is starving to death! Some Polish folks felt bad and fed the dog rolls of bread and crackers. There seem to be hundreds of cats and dogs just roaming around Turkey.
We then visited Meryemana Evi House of Virgin Mary. It wasn’t that interesting to see a prayer house for me. It was interesting though to see a wall full of prayers and notes for the Virgin Mary below the house. I contributed to the wall by writing a note.
No matter what religion, gender, race, or language; we all come together across the world as Exchange Students. USA to Poland 2013-2014 Stephanie Raquel
Our next site is the foundation of Ephesus from 6,000 B.C. It is a settlement from the Bronze Age. I could see the games of X’s and O’s still carved into the stone slabs. When I reached the marble street lined with thick marble pillars, it was an amazing sight. There were buildings of structures remaining where they once stood tall. There were pictures and words carved intricately into the marble stones. There were thousands of cats sitting on the stones in the little bit of shade they provided.
The street led its way down to the Bibliotecka. The front of the building stands tall engraved in leaves, flowers, and patterns. There are statues of men and women positioned in between pillars and in scripted with sayings. It was the most interesting thing I have ever seen. When you are standing in front of the library, it only seems like the front of the building is standing alone. It is what remains of this building after all these years. I was fixed on every detail while Abdullah explained the history of the library. This was my favorite structure I have seen on this trip through Turkey.
The Ephesus city came to life in front of me and most of the buildings are restructured to give tourists a better picture of the once vibrant city that stood here. I can imagine walking down this marble street in my gladiator shoes, wrapped in a white toga, and my children trailing behind me.
Another street perpendicular to this one was also lined with marble slabs. This street directed us to the Assembly Hall where shows and matches were held to entertain the people. Lions once ran across the stage in front of the people, while men would perform with them. Pillars stationed behind the stage, high above the ground, is where the nobles would sit to watch the shows. This hall was positioned on the side of a hill in order to give better acoustics for the people playing music.
Next to the assembly hall is a marble street that stretched 500 meters. This is the street where the nobles would enter and see the giant assembly hall. From this direction they were taken directly to other parts of the town that have yet to be uncovered for the tourists.
Even though this town isn’t completely uncovered from hundreds of years of dirt, it is absolutely breath taking.
Stephanie Raquel
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