Izmır

Wednesday, June 20: We were very surprised and thrilled to find out that we were going to fly to Izmır to see the ancient ruins in Turkey. On Wednesday we traveled to Bergama to see the Roman ruıns. Alexander the Great was there! We also joined Sila's very nice parents, and had a great lunch along the way. At nıght we returned to the town and had dınner at sunset along the Aegean Sea at the Deniz Restaurant in Kordon, Izmir. We had fresh fısh and many had Rekı to drınk- an ouzo type lıquor. Not me! We took a horse drawn carrıage back to the hotel and then fınıshed wıth drınks on the rooftop bar of the Ege Palais, the hotel we stayed in, overlookıng the cıty. What a great day!

Thursday: We awoke early, had another delicious Turkish breakfast and traveled by van to Selcuk. There we visited Mary's House- yes THAT Mary. Then we went to the Train museum to meet and have lunch with the area governor. We had a delicious and elegant lunch, and then went to a place where they make beautiful plates. The potter showed me how to create a pot on the wheel, but I didn't do so well. Then we went to Ephesıs and to the tomb and ruins of the basilica of St. John the Baptist. We shopped and toured a quaint hillside village called Sirince, and had refreshments (Turkish cheeses, bread and fruit, wine, soft drinks and Reki) outside in a restaurant. The Assistant Superintendent of the School and the Business Manager of Bahcesehir joined us. We made it back to the airport in just enough time to fly back to Istanbul.

All for now-