8:45 a.m.
On my way to Izmir. There I catch a train to Selçuk. That's close to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, which the Turks call Efes.

Yesterday wasn't supposed to be eventful. I went to Zeitenburnu, where Levant in Feodosia said was the place to get a leather jacket. I only saw a couple of stores. And they weren't open. Headed back to town. Strolled through the Grand Bazaar and through to the Spice Market. Stopped for halvah and a Turkish coffee. The halvah, pronounced here hailvay, was much different. Warm, soft, grainy, almost gelatinous.

Saw a Citibank ATM and decided to get some cash. Then I discovered my ATM card missing. Even though Citi is my bank the branch here couldn't help me. So I had to find a place to make a call, cancel my card, get a new one sent to me where I'll be in a few days, then find a bank which would give me cash on my credit card without a pin. That accomplished, I took a short stroll and wound up buying a carpet. It's around a hundred years old and was made by prisoners. The owner of the store and his wife took me to dinner. They'll visit me in L.A. in October.

10:45 plane was late taking off. Grabbed my bag when we landed and ran the best I could to catch the 10:43. Madeit with about ammonite to spare. Phew...