Day 01 - Smyrna, Pergamum (Bergama)

What glorious breakfast buffet awaited us first thing this morning!  Several kinds of fresh olives, cheeses, breads, yogurt, and fruit. Not to mention the made to order omelets, cereals and the cafe machine pumping out tons of fresh coffee. 

After we stowed all our luggage, we were ready for the first stop of our trip. We walked about half a mile to the old town in Izmir (ancient Smyrna) and got to see our first grouping of ruins. It was incredible to see all these "Indiana Jones" type architecture smack dab in the middle of the city. Tunnels and recent excavation that they only had started doing about 10 years ago and is near was shockingly beautiful. Soft rain fell as we walked through some of the tunnels and excavation points. Getting to see where people had lived and worked so long ago really gave us a different perspective of time and place.  

We had the historical background to the city as well as Revelation 2:8 In Revelation, Jesus was challenging the early churches to live faithfully in the here and now. These were letters written to real people, in real places, at real times. There were Seven Churches we are introduced to in Revelation, and they follow a pattern: address, admiration, rebuke, command and promise. This city is known for being faithful.  

After studying Smyrna, we headed out to Pergamum, and stopped at an "asclepieion", which is a healing temple dedicated to the demigod Asclepius, who was the god of healing.  Here we got to see the AMAZING columns and marble from ancient times. There was a Roman theatre, and underground vaulted tunnels in the asclepieion. Walking on ancient roads in the wind and rain left us in awe of the one true God, the true healer.  

From there we got to ride the Bergama Acropolis Gondola! We toured the nearby archaeological site of the acropolis. What an incredible sight this was! As we road up the mountain we could see the streets of old and foundations from building ruins. We got to walk down to the Theatre of Pergamum. It is one of the steepest theatres in the world, and the wind was crazy blowing while we explored the area and the incredible views.  

Already we are aware that there is not enough time to see and experience everything each site has to offer. Heading to lunch ts to choose from at the buffets. It has been such a great time getting to share this first day with one another. Laughing, sharing pictures, stories, and thoughts on what we are learning is really the highlight of today.  

 after the acropolis, we were famished. The meals have been amazing, with fresh fruit and lo

I know that we were all fighting sleep on the bus ride after lunch. Heading out to Sardis was a two-hour drive, with many of us taking quick naps. Thankful to have an earlier bedtime tonight. More tomorrow!