Day 08 -Western Coast: Ephesus, Leather Shop, Free Time

Today was another truly memorable day in Turkey! We started off our day a little bit later than usual and got to sleep, then headed from our last hotel in Kusadasi straight to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most remarkable archaeological sites we’ve seen in Turkey, and apparently only 10% of it has been excavated. We learned all about the size and significance of the city and all the important historical and biblical figures who likely traveled through and stayed there. We got to explore several parts of the uncovered city including its steep roads, luxury shops, senate building, famous library (probably one of the most iconic ruins in Turkey), a massive house of the wealthiest man in the town, one if its brothels, some of its 50 temples to different gods and goddesses, and lastly the city’s gigantic theater looking outward toward the beautiful mountains of Kusadasi.

All the teachings we got to hear pointed to the extraordinary wealth and importance of the city of Ephesus and how this influenced Paul’s time with these believers, as he spent over two years teaching them and building them up in spiritual truth, also how it affected the history of the church after Paul’s removal (a prominent and powerful lesson getting to sit in the very theater where a riot was stirred against him) and Jesus’ very revelation to them. Despite all of the evil and misplaced worship of the city, the Christian church worked hard and served faithfully; yet, they had “abandoned their first love.” They had lost, not their love for God, but their brotherly love for one another and for those around them. Their focus had become merely theological. Jesus commands them to remember and repent in a powerful way. 

The fun didn’t stop there! After spending most of the day in Ephesus, we headed to lunch. This one felt incredibly local and we got to eat from a wonderful buffet of a wide variety of local Turkish dishes that were each as delicious as the last.

After lunch, we got to enjoy one of the most unique and fun cultural experiences of the trip so far! We went to a fur and leather factory store that flaunted its personal runway. While the fashion show they put on was pretty incredible, I think the highlight of our experience was some of our very own being roped on the runway to stunt some fresh leather! 

Lastly, we spent an hour on the beachfront of Kusadasi just getting to explore some of the local shops and sights. Truly a beautiful city, right on the beaches of the Aegean and tucked perfectly into a small range of mountains. 

Only one more day left! Can’t wait to see what our last day in Turkey has in store for us!