July 12
Trip Start
Jul 09, 2008
1
5
13
Trip End
Jul 21, 2008
Izmir,
Turkish Aegean Coast,
Turkey
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Off to Breakfast- shoes off-on the floor, reclining on pillows for a great meal. We introduced ourselves through a translator to our hosts. I explained I was in the entertainment business. Two of the hosts said that they had seen me in a movie. The entire breakfast of cheeses, honey, fruit, olives and more was entirely organic. I was treated to homemade sheep's yogurt before we left.
Then on to our hotel before a two hour bus trip to Bergama, a city founded by the Greeks in the 8th century. A 3 mile wall had encircled the hilltop city that included 3 temples, a 10,000 seat theater and a Palace. Cicada sang as we explored the ruins
Izmir Breakfast
.Next a rug shop in the town below. Turkish tea and Turkish delight were served as we viewed beautiful hand made rugs from throughout the region. I bought two. They are being shipped home. There is a story with each of them.
Lunch was a wonderful picnic in a park which contained a bath house where Cleopatra bathed when she was in the area.
Dinner was in a host home. Our host was the owner of a textile factory. 18 years ago he started working in one and now he owns one. He has a contract with H&M and makes Tshirts and hoodies. Check your stuff Adam- it may say Made in Turkey.
He has two sons, one Adams age and a 5th grader. I played balloons with the 18 month old daughter of his business partner. The meal was amazing with the very best grape leaf wraps yet which I dipped in a yogurt dip.
We talked through a translator for a long time and then visited a brides street party (she was getting married the next day). Dancing and music in the street. We were introduced as The Americans and were applauded.
Then off to an ice cream shop. Homemade ice cream-all organic-all with fresh fruit from regional farmers. They prepared a Sundae for each of us.
Then after 20 hours of going it was home to bed.
