Day 04 - Aphrodisias, Turkish Rug Shop

Günaydin, (good morning) 

Day 4 started off with another early morning and happily our much-anticipated hot air balloon ride! It was cold, but not as cold as it was yesterday. The pictures don't do the experience justice as we all watched the process of making these huge balloons fly. Fire and air... science!

The views were stunning, high above everything we could see historical sights we had toured as well as groves and mountain ranges covered in snow. There were other balloon companies there also and to see all the different balloons all in the sky at the same time was incredible! Two balloons from our group went up as two balloons landed. 

Grabbing our luggage from the hotel and then headed out to the Ancient City of Aphrodisias. This site was made famous because of a photo taken by photographer Ara Guler (Look it up! The story behind this site is awesome). The city was a celebration of the Roman Empire, and this was the masterpiece. We can all think of correlations to how we are created as God's masterpiece (Ephesians 3:10, Psalms 1:39, Isaiah 63:4).  

This was my personal favorite spot to date. There was so much to see and learn about the people and history. We even worshiped with Vinny playing guitar and Amber singing in the theater! 

Lunch was only 15 minutes away. Not only was the food so good and fresh, the hospitality and care of the proprietors made us feel so cared for. Plus, we got to see a dancing bird!  

Heading back toward the coast we navigated our way through the mountains we had seen from the hot air balloons only a few short hours before. 

We stopped for a rug making demonstration and enjoyed not only the beauty of their craftsmanship, but also apple tea! Rugs in all sizes, colors, and textures, each one telling a story.

Our stopping place for the night is right on the Aegean Sea, the Charisma Hotel. Sunset here is stunning. Continue to pray over our group, specifically, for: 

-rest

-health and sleep 

-genuine connections with Jesus and each other 

-for those ahhhaa moments 

Till tomorrow,

Iyi Akşamlar