Day Six: Ephesus and Shopping in Kusadasi

Our breakfast included hot items such as eggs and  pancakes as well as the usual items such as tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, bread, yogurt and fruit.  After breakfast we drove to the site of Ephesus, the best preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean. it is believed that over 250,000 people lived in Ephesus.  The city is also an important part of the lives of  St. Paul and St. John  who arrived at different times to spread Christianity.   We began our tour at the upper entrance to the ruins.  It began to rain shortly after we arrived but Suleyman found a few places for us to gather with a bit of protection from the rain.  We were all happy that we had packed rain gear and umbrellas before leaving the hotel.

Hurray for rain gear 

Upper entrance

Beautiful Arches

Well-worn stairs

Ephesus Arch

Our first stop was the Odeion, which seated about 1500 people and was the council chamber for the senate.  It looked like a small amphitheatre. There were Roman baths near the amphitheatre. 

Odeion or Small Amphitheatre

We walked along the Marble Road and Suleyman explained that there would have been many shops on either side of the road.  There were beautiful marble columns and statues. 

One of our stops was the public toilets.  This was quite interesting and humorous  for our group as we imagined the men gathering in the public toilets to visit and use the facilities.  It is assumed that the women would also have had a public toilets, although they have not been found.  Ephesus was  also home to numerous cats and snails!!

Public toilets

They used what????

Kaylee examines a snail

More cats

Near the corner of the Marble Road and Curetes Street there was evidence of a brothel.  Beautiful mosaics were found in many building.

Mosaics

The skies cleared and  a rainbow appeared  as we arrived at the library. We took a few minutes to explore the area and pose for a group photo. 

Beautiful rainbow

The Library seen from a distance

Group photo

Ephesus Library

South gate of Agora

 Our final stop was the Great Theatre.  It is an impressive structure with a seating capacity of 25,000.  The theatre was used for concerts and plays as well as political discussions and gladiator and animal fights.

The Great Theatre

Just one more photo!!

After leaving the ruins we browsed the souvenir shops and then met our bus.

Shopping for souvenirs!!

Genuine Fake

Our next stop was a Leather Factory.  We were seated and the fashion show started.  Doug and Loghan were called up to be models.  After the fashion show we went to the show room and some purchases were made.

Models Loghan and Doug

I think these guys enjoyed the fashion show

We headed to Kusadasi in time for lunch and our last opportunity to shop in Turkey.  Some of our group stopped to have an ice cream cone.  The salesman was very entertaining and a large group soon gathered to watch his little show.  

Doug buys an ice cream

A bar and restaurant just down the street began playing music and some of their staff started dancing. It didn't take long for some of our group to join in.  Some of the local children seemed to find this very entertaining. 

Cha cha

Stamp your foot

How low can you go?

Those crazy Canadians!!!

 We went back to the hotel in the late afternoon and there was time for a rest, a walk to the beach or a massage before dinner.  In the evening our group joined other EF groups at the disco for our last night in Turkey.