Day 07 - Western Coast: Pergamum, Weaving Center, Evening Cruise on the Aegean

We had an early breakfast start this morning-6:30am. By the time we boarded the bus at 8:00am it was a cool 46 degrees. While on the bus driving to our first stop, Ozan started to play the Turkish national anthem on the loud speaker. Today, October 29th is independence day in Turkey. Ozan explained that today is the 101st anniversary of their independence from the Ottomans. The leader and first president Mustafa Kemal Ataturk helped lead Turkey into a secular democracy. The pride of Turkey can be seen in the Turkish flags that are hung on windows and balconies throughout the country.

Pergamon Asclepieion 
The bus traveled to our first stop of the day. It was the ancient ruins of Asclepieion. This was a thermal treatment center that used different techniques to treat people who came there from all over the world for help. It was all centered around a thermal spring-fed fountain. This location had been treating people since the 5th century BC and continued even after Christianity was introduced. An underground tunnel connected the treatment centers to the hot spring waters and mud baths. A Roman theater and library were also here to intertwine religious, social, economic and political voices.

Destin Carpet Weavers Association
We left the ruins in Pergamon and traveled about 6 miles to Bergama. We stopped at the Destin Carpet Weaving Center. They explained to our group about how they made the dye colors and used silkworm cocoons to get silk thread. The cost of the handmade carpets depended on the size of the carpet, age, the number of knots in each centimeter and if the rug was made with wool or silk. With purchases in hand, we had lunch outside on this beautiful day.

Aegean Sea Cruise
Our hotel, The Charisma Deluxe Hotel is on the Aegean Sea. This sea is a between Greece and Turkey and features prominently in many Greek myths like Jason and the Argonauts and Homer’s The Odyssey. We enjoyed a sunset boat cruise before returning for a buffet dinner.

Marty asked our group today if there was any thing special about what we had seen so far. I am amazed about the history of this country and blessed to have enjoyed the sites, food and the people.