The Magic Of Turkey
Our last week in Turkey was spent in Güllük, a small coastal town within an hour’s drive of Ephesus. Throughout our time in Turkey we saw the beginnings and endings of civilizations, touched stones and stood among trees that are nearly as old as humankind. Often, we were alone amid antiquities.
As the most famous, well-studied and preserved ancient city, Ephesus was anything but lonely. In spite of the masses, we managed to find the magic in the mosaics of the terrace houses, the columns of Heraclitus’ library and cartwheeling across the amphitheatre stage. Jordan made new friends and is probably Insta-famous somewere in the world for his dance moves, while Rosie narrated our trip through the city.
A few miles from Ephesus is the site of the house where the Virgin Mary spent her final days. It is now a shrine in a beautiful park setting with a cafe and a gift shop filled to the brim with the holiest of water. During all of our travels and despite our failure to raise our kids with any religious knowledge, Rosie has been drawn to churches. Seeing her reverence and awe are all the proof I need of a God.
It was fitting to end our trip in Turkey at these final stops. They are magical and unrivaled and I am reminded of all the magical moments we had in Turkey: stepping on board our new boat home; seeing a lamb stand for the first time; meeting new friends at the Sunday market; watching sunsets over the Mediterranean; riding out violent winds at anchor in Kas; standing in Cleopatra’s baths; touching a tomb from 5,000 years ago; eating the hot buttery deliciousness of iskender; going from the beach to snow on the gondola at Mt. Olympus; poking around the original eternal flames; hiking hundreds of miles of trails connecting past to future; running out to buy baklava from the neighborhood baklava truck….
Heraclitus of Ephesus argues that nature is not the world of stable, enduring entities that it appears to be. It is like a river or a candle flame, whose apparent stability is the result of an underlying process of perpetual change.
We are changed and it is time for change.
