Izmir

Izmir 2:45 p.m. on July 18, 2009

Merhaba! What a wonderful night of rest. This hotel in Bursa did not have the same party animals (seagulls) outside our window throwing wild parties like those of Istanbul.....yea. I slept so hard last night that I woke up to the alarm at 6 a.m. completely unaware of my surroundings/time/place/roommate. After my mini manic attack, I met Megan for a quick workout and swim.

We didn't have such an easy time getting to the pool, which is elevated from the ballroom terrace outside by our floor. We tried about every possible entrance, route, exit, and staircase before we thought we had the secret entrance - an antique door with an antique doorknob that Megan pulled off when she grabbed it and leaned back. Oops. Why does everything in Turkey have to be so old?! We finally found another tour group member with terrace access.

The pool was spectacular. It was long, narrow and serene set between two quiet gardens, the bath house and the terrace. The water was perfect. I was able to get in some lunges, squats, pushups, dips and abs before getting in about 20 laps. Such a perfect start to the day/

Ate a quick breakfast with my new fave people - Addrienne, James, Megan, and Karen. Loaded the bus for a long day of driving. I feel like our group is really coming together, sharing stories and playing games and just having good adult conversation. On a bus full of history teachers from across the country, you can imagine how lively it can get rolling through the birthplace of civilization. Sometime I even need to just put in my iPod, but I do appreciate the intelligent adult conversation.

We stopped en route at the Razir Restaurant. Lunch was pretty good, although the vegetarian options are getting more and more iffy as we travel. At least I am not gaining weight. Now something I haven't talked about yet is the cat situation in Turkey. In Istanbul, Iznic, Bursa and everywhere else we have been, there were cats EVERYWHERE. Street kitties, pet cats, you name it they are crawling out of every nook and cranny. This restaruant was the first stop we have made where I didn't feel completely surrounded by felines. In fact I was about to share my observation while standing in the restroom when Karen piped in "Really? Cats?" and pointed to 4 cat statues by the front door. Seriously. It is strange because the cats are shooed away all the time by the Turks I see out and about, yet they are tolerated on a level I have never seen before in America. I love my cat, but one is all I need to see in a day.

For dessert, we were served the usual dish of watermelon and honeydew. I asked the waitor for a fork (I thought I did) but he handed me 8 toothpicks instead. I am studying my Turkish right now. We left the restaurant to continue our drive to Ephesus. Most of the drive so far has been over hills and mountains. There are sunflowers everywhere and they are huge! Orhan says we will be in Ephesus by 4p.m. but judging my the bus driver's aversion to brakes I am betting earlier. I really cannot wait to be there. Iyi Gunter!

Factoid: 7 of the 12 churches described by John were located in Turkiye.

Blog Playlist: The Wake-Up Song by The Submarines; Winding Road by Bonnie Somerville; Speeding Cars by Imogen Heap; Million Faces by Pablo Nutini