Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
DAY 12
As we leave this morning we drive through the city of Izmir and past the high rise apartments ($350-$400,000US) with gorgeous views of the Aegean. I even saw a man walking a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy! We drive past a naval base and then through the largest commercial industry of Turkey.
Pergamum is an important area for mining. 1% of the worlds gold resourcehere ones here and Onyx stone is also very popular here (you'll find it at all the street stalls).
First stop is Turkay Onyx, an onyx and turquoise jewellery gallery. You can purchase onyx that has been shaped into many things including animals, vases, fruits and even apple shaped clocks! The turquoise stones have as much variation in colour as opal. I always thought turquoise was just aqua coloured but it also includes many different tones of blue and green. Silver jewellery and traditional Turkish bracelets are a specialty here also.
Next we visited The Sanctuary Of Asklepios in Bergama where people went to be healed of their illnesses. The site contained the old temple of Asklepios plus 2 smaller temples, sleeping rooms for patients, fountains and sacred pools. To the northwest was a 3500 seat Roman theatre and in the northeast a library which served also for the cult of the emporer. On the east of the courtyard was the new temple of Asklepios constructed to imitate the round Pantheon in Rome. To the southeast corner was attached a barrel shaped treatment centre linked to the pools in the centre of the courtyard by a tunnel and on the southwest corner was a lavish bathroom establishment. Water and sunlight played an important part in the healing process. We visited the sleeping rooms where the ailing visitors would sleep and their dreams were interpreted by priest doctors to determine their treatment - If they didn't have a dream within 1 week, they were evicted from the hospital. The patients would reach the sleeping rooms via a 70m underground vaulted passage as protection against the adverse weather. A mystic environment would generate thanks to the tranquility of the sound of water arriving from the holy spring and running down the steps of the tunnel and this was used as a supportive treatment means.
Next stop was Pergamum Museum. More sculptures and rocks dating back to Zeus, and a lovely display of mosaic floor tiles with Medusa in the centre. Medusa charms were worn back then to ward off evil as Evil Eyes are worn today. There was a nice coin collection dating from 570BC as well as jewellery and needlework (which I found especially interesting). Some of the medical instruments used at Asklepios were displayed here also. They really haven't changed a lot since then!
We stopped for lunch and enjoyed a toasted pita bread with meat each. Aleisha's feeling quite unwell by now but she managed to eat a meal for the first time today. I bought a Turkish translation book (a bit late in the trip I know, but I want to try and learn some of it when I get home).
Next we follow the shores of the Bay of Edremit on the way to Troy. We attempted to make an emergency stop as Aleisha is feeling terribly ill, but their toilets were not working, so Aleisha got to christen the bus loo. Everybody was really lovely, offering assistance and medication. Back on the bus for a bit until we stopped at a rest room just before Troy. Isset organized a bed for Aleisha to relax on whilst the tour group resumed their tour. They came back to pick us up later before heading towards the hotel for the evening.
We arrived at our hotel Tusan Hotel in Canakkale. I got Aleisha settled into the room before making a quick change for dinner. Tonight we had a set menu consisting of a side plate of salad, followed by a bowl of vegetable soup, then a vegetable pastry and a choice of mains (various fish dishes, chicken or meatballs). I opted for the chicken, served with rice (I love how they cook their rice over here, it's so fluffy), french fries and a salad. Dessert again had many options and I went for the chocolate pudding... Yummy! The English lady at the reception desk was very kind when I mentioned Aleisha was ill and she organized a plate of boiled potatoes, toast and a bottle of water to be sent up to our room after I returned. That sort of service is always greatly appreciated. Aleisha ate it all, and had finished the gastrolyte from earlier also. Hopefully she'll be feeling better in the morning. Another early start, up at 5:45!
Interesting fact of the day: Turkey's national flower is the tulip - which they sent to Holland as a gift.
- comments