THE CRUISE PART II

EPHESUS

1 1/2 hours from Izmir by Taxi (Taksi in Turkish).  Hired English speaking young man with mascara for personal tour (Denise, Chari, Penny and me).  Intense, knowledgeable AND he pushed Penny in her wheel chair on uneven ancient paving blocks, broken stones, crumpled ruins, steep downward walkways and over four centuries of now buried Asia Minor civilizations. 


 It's that old historical story of cities destroyed by earthquakes, slaughter, migration, malaria and the usual human folly.  Among the detritus and fragments looms the facade of a once great library elaborately carved like some fortelling of the Rococo.  

Our guide, Darya, told us about Camel Wrestling, a traditional festive time in cold rainy January during the Camel mating season -  (there are photos of this on google).

We also found out that both Hadrian and Trajan, emperors born in Spain were Gay.  Furthermore the legend goes that Ephesus was founded by the Amazon Queen from Lesbos.

At the end of our tour I believe I paid too much for four cotton blouses I didn't need.  Our Taksi driver was waiting for us with an even bigger auto (Oto) than before.

Before dinner that evening I generously invited the 12 of our party to Ami and Kathy's room to share our tales of adventure and partake of a high class Prosecco that Denise and Chari's father sent to them.  We are always looking for a quiet corner to chat after dinner when we're rushed out of the dining room so they can set up for the second seating.  We once found the card room but were kicked out for having too much fun.

It is a mistaken assumption that a Cruise will be relaxing and leisurely.  With only a few hours in each Port it is a dash to whatever on-shore pleasure one can grasp.  Thank the gods for the good planning and directional expertise of Chari and Denise.

ISTANBUL

Yesterday (I no longer know what day it is).  Early morning entrance into the Istanbul Harbor was probably worth the whole trip.  Minarets, Tokapi, Blue Mosque, Sopphi, all laid out before us in the hazy dawn.  Little orange tugboats guide our gargantuan ship into harbor.  It's the Istanbul of the imagination come real.

Penny stayed on board to rest.  Ami-Kathy-Maryann- Kimberly roamed the city.  Others went on tours.  As for myself, Denise led Chari and me to the public Ferry pier for a trip to the Black Sea!!!! Can you imagine - up through the Bosphorus to the Black sea...From Europe Turkey to Asian Turkey.  

Istanbul and its environs go on forever like Tokyo or Los Angeles multiplied.  We passed the homes of the rich and the richer and the Terra Cotta mansion of the richest.  Actually all the Turkish cities seem to be blends of terra cotta and off white with an occasional splash of hospital green. 

One of the Ferry Boat crew members took a shine to Denise and Chari and gave them a tour of the engine room and the crew's kitchen where tomatoes and garlic were cooking for their lunch.  He brought us strong Tea in a glass with sugar cubes on the saucer.  At one port local yogurt sprinkled with powdered sugar was brought on board - yummy.

The last stop was Anadolu Kavagi.  A small funky fishing and tourist village almost surrounded by military bases which defend their border from Russia.  We ate in a little rundown cafe where men played backgammon.  We had Turkish sandwiches of lamb-chicken and deep fried mussels.  Better than yummy.  We bought anchovy bread at the local bakery then hired the only taksi in town to drive us back to Istanbul before the ship left.  Everyday, just before the ship is about to leave Port there is an announcement with the names of people who have not yet returned.  We never hear if they finally do return....mystery.

Just now as I'm writing this I look off to the left at the Greek coast and see a pastel rainbow shimmering over the top of a hazy low mountain.  When I return home there will be a Coda to the Blog with photos I was unable to send.  Look for the rainbow. 

Tomorrow at noon---Dubrovnik.