Turkey

Ephesus and the Sanctuary of Askepios

Ephesus – This site dates back 600 BC. An interesting fact about Ephesus is that Mary of Nazareth and mother of Jesus spent her final years there. I found the tiled mosiacs to be the star of the show, but the amphitheater comes in at a close second. These ruins are actively being excavated. Restoration of the mosaics as well as building structures is on-going. A small confession – I am the guy in the tour group that wanders off, visiting the areas I am interested in rather than what is interesting to the guide. I’m also the last one back on the bus. I’m not sorry! I discover alll kinds of good stuff that other folks miss. In the case of Ephesus, I was the only person to venture into the active cemetary excavation site. There were no Do Not Enter signs so I interpret that to my advantage. Were members of public offically allowed inside, some say no. I say YES!

Sanctuary of Askepios, the god of healing – This location was an ancient spa and health complex. It is less visited than Ephesus but no less impressive – Well, maybe a little less impressive. I give it extra points for the lack of tourists cluttering up the place and the underground passageways. Favorite part of this adventure was the sacred spring. As I always need as much good juju as I can get, I enthusiastically partook in a refreshing and and spiritual drink. Immediately after drinking fromm the spring my hair regrew and I dropped 25 lbs.. You’ll have to take me at my word because the photos were lost when a dog ate my memory flash drive… Don’t you call me a liar!