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Published: October 23rd 2014
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View from hotel room balcony.
Stayed at Charisma Hotel on Aegean Sea in Kusadasi. Upon leaving our gullet this a.m. we boarded a bus that took us about 5 hours to Kusadasi. We went through Ephesus where we toured the 6th Century Basilica of St. John, one of the Apostles of Jesus. He is buried at this site and is said to have authored the Book of Revelation and the 4th Gospel of the Bible while he resided in Ephesus. This site was extremely interesting which you will see in the pictures. I will include St. John's burial site which has a tunnel, with steps going underground to the burial site -- shown here is the marble slab with 4 columns. Other pictures show the church and grounds, including baptismal fount and several alters. It is quite large and in the shape of a large cross. It is high up on several hills overlooking what was once the sea, but now, fertile salt fields.
On the way in the bus we learned more about Turkey, customs etc. Of course, I had to ask about women and how they are treated. The answer is that Ataturk, back in 1923's - 1938 did make many changes to Turkey which included separating state from religion. Women were
the first to have the right to vote & in court, it was changed so that it is no longer required to have 2 witnesses for every woman -- equality instead. Girls inheritance was also made legal (instead of only males inheriting). Of course, the issues lies in how it is practiced today. There are currently more females than males in the university systems. However, in Eastern Turkey none of this is necessarily true -- it is what is practiced that counts, of course. Women are still held back and often need to provide a dowry. These women seemingly are not concerned about these ancient practices because it is how all are treated and all that they know. Often, the girl's family will barter. We don't have the money for a dowry but your family can also have the girl's sister for your brother................ Erol, our guide, is married to a doctor. Her sister is a teacher. A brother is also a religious teacher even though the family is not religious --- Erol claims to be an atheist. The prayer beads I have seen him carry are used as worry beads. Another brother is a tradesman. Growing up, his wife
was always told "boys can do anything to earn living but you, as a girl, must study and work harder so that you do not end up being dependent on a man". The problem with this philosophy (according to Erol) is that the men (including him???) can become lazy!!
Population of Turkey is 75 M. Kurds are about 10-15 M of these. Erol predicts that the Kurds will surpass the rest in 20 years or so. Eastern Turkey is poorer and less educated but "they also are not doing much to help themselves". According to Erol, we will be walking among terrorists and ISIS when we are in Eastern Turkey in just a few days. They are totally infiltrating that part of Turkey and we will be within 7 miles of the Syrian border when we are in Gaziantep and beyond, in a couple smaller towns.
Tonight and tomorrow night we stay in a gorgeous hotel with spa. Note the view we have from our balcony, overlooking the Aegean Sea. Too bad it is rainy and windy, not conducive to relaxing on the beach or even swimming in the lovely pool.
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Larry Borst
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great! Thanks so much for your blogs!