I started the day with a nice breakfast at the hotel on the roof/terrace. They actually serve you plates of prepared food (bread, fruit, omelet) which is different from any other place I’ve stayed. Next was the main reason for coming here: the ancient Greek and Roman city of Ephesus. The hotel staff said they had free transportation there, so I said yes.
One of the hotel staff walks me down the street to a carpet shop and says I’ll get picked up here in five minutes. Meanwhile, the shop owner tries to talk me into buying an oriental rug. I was expecting some kind of shuttle bus to pick me up but instead they point me to this guy on a really small motorcycle. I had to sit on the back of that, no helmets, holding my camera in one hand. Fortunately, I was dropped off safely in front of the gate, conveniently for another shop owner to persistently offer me things to purchase. Finally, I was allowed into the city of Ephesus after a $7.50 entrance fee.
Ephesus is maybe the most impressive ancient Greek or Roman city around. It was the capital of Asia Minor, but unlike other cities (Rome, Athens), it wasn’t build over with a modern layer. I spent a few hours there walking down the streets and seeing interesting things like ancient piping systems. Afterwards, I continued on to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, surprisingly just a tiny sign and road off the main highway here. Called the Temple of Artemis, there isn’t really anything left but a swamp and a rebuilt column. However there was a very persistent man there trying to sell me a book.
The Turkish people seem very nice and helpful so far. Sometimes too nice when they really want you to buy something though. Another thing about Turkey, it is a Muslim country. You wouldn’t really notice it at first, until you are woken up in the morning by the Islamic call to prayer on the city loudspeakers. The rest of Europe is cute, but can seem boring though. A place like Turkey can be more challenging to travel in, but perhaps more interesting and rewarding.