10/13/13
Yesterday morning, I was in a state of dehydration. All I could think about was being close to the nearest restroom. I ended up calling my parents in a panic because I didn’t know if I had a urinary infection or something less serious. My father calmed me down and said I was probably just dehydrated from being out in the sun all day. This thought had never crossed my mind. I sat in the back of the bus with 5 bottles of water I bought from the drive and chugged all 5 bottles. I really had to use the restroom now, but after I made it to the toilet I had felt so much better. From now on, I need to drink more bottles of water.
Our first official stop, not the gas station restrooms, was the Hierapolis of Phrygia. Walking through the city we started at the commentary. Every city either starts or ends with a commentary of their noble people. This commentary in particular was huge. There were large stone houses that would have held families of people. There were sliding doors to cover the entrances and above the doors were engraved pictures to represent who was buried inside. Inside the houses were wide shelves that held the bodies because the bodies were forbidden to touch the ground.
In the main city were large arches making up the Bibliotecka that once stood there. It is now under reconstruction to assemble the town in its glory days. Next to the street arches (Northern Roman Gate) were stone tools that was used to make olive oil. Lining the main street were fountains that brought water closer to the citizens and enabled them easier access. The fountains also ensure the main fountain was not tainted with dirt from the citizens or animals.
Next we visited my favorite natural park, Pamukkale. The thermal water from Pamukkale can cure cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, and rheumatic diseases. It is pretty incredible how amazing this place looks and effects the human body. People from all over come to this park to emerge their body into this healthy water.
Water rushes out from between the stones and fills the natural pools. I took my shoes off and walked into the pools of water. The calcium hurt the bottoms of my feet because the stones were rough. When I was walked about 2 feet into the pool, the bottom of my foot hit a sharp rock and caused me to almost fall. Andzrej threw his hand out to me and caught me before I dropped into the water. Ania, Sunny’s host mother, put out her hand and we supported each other with each step. Sunny decided not to go into the water because she didn’t want the sun to make her too dark because in the Taiwanese culture it is pretty to have pale skin. (Go figure that her name is Sunny and she doesn’t like being in the sun for too long.) Once I reached the middle of the pool, the stones were granulated. If you rub your feet along the calcium it is known to peel away the dead skin. Ania and her mother walked around the pool dragging their feet along the bottom. Andzrej continually took pictures of his lovely wife and I just soaked up the sun and calcium water. People around us were striking different poses while taking tons of pictures.
Andzrej, Ania, Ania’s mother, and I decided to explore the mountain and we found a beautiful spot to see the other pools. I sat on the smooth stone and it was surprisingly cool. The sun was warm on my cheeks but the calcium was cool on my legs. I kept reminding myself, “Stephanie, you are in such a beautiful place. Some people never see this country but you are seeing the most beautiful places in Turkey.” I am very blessed to be in this country, on this exchange, and with great people.
After relaxing and taking many pictures on this incredible natural mountain, we stopped at the Aphrodisias Archaeological site. The city is being excavated by New York University from USA. There was a temple down a short street that had two layers of people carved into the marble. The street was lined with short pillars.
Down one street was a wall of faces. The school placed all the pieces of a building that had a face carved into it along this wall. It created an eerie feel like as if I was always being watched. I was scared that by taking a picture with the faces when one would forever haunt me. Of course this is completely silly but sometimes my imagination goes wild.
In the Hadrianic bath room was a half complete statue of a god. His body was sculpted to perfection. The god brought masculinity and beauty into the wash room.
The stadium was the best part of the entire city though. There were lions’ claws at the foot of each seat. The stadium was the biggest I have ever seen in Turkey. It was comparable to a football field. Every seat had an adequate view of the arena and wouldn’t miss any part of the action when people raced and fought. Sitting at the top of the arena, I imagined men wearing white linens around the waist and their wrists covered in gold bands. In the royal section the noble women wore turquoise and gold jewelry to complement their clean white dresses. Fans roared and cheered for their favorite warrior to win the race. Men rolled through the base of the stadium on gold carts pulled by 2 black horses and whipped the horses to run faster. As the games proceeded and the victors were granted their treasures, people just kept piling into the arena to watch history unfold. Everyone in the surrounding cities made their way to this arena.
All these places and beauty are breath taking, but I wish I could share this adventure with my family.
Stephanie Raquel
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