With Athen's tour completed, we arrived around noon at our port of call at Paereus and boarded our ship called Aegean I. It appeared to be much older than we anticipated but there was no turning back. The decks were bleached but the lounge was well kept. Our rooms were off to the left of the entrance. It was very small and stark with hard twin beds that looked as if they might have been designed for hardened sailors instead of two classy Americans. There was a port hole between the beds just above a small stand. A suitable closet for clothes but the suitcases went under the beds. Also, in our room was a small bathroom which had no room at all except for what was intended. The shower filled one corner the toilet the other. The sink and counter were directly across the other wall leaving a small passage between. However, our room was adequate as well as the whole ship. It was ours to share in this adventure of a life time.
Interestingly enough we paid extra for the window and wished that we didn't have it because the swells of the sea could be seen as well as felt which didn't help our sick feelings. Our first lunch on ship was a buffet luncheon which was beautifully arranged but not very appetizing to me. Lots of pasta salads, fruits, etc. Jim like it and so did Marie! We left Port at 4:00 pm and began cruising at a good clip on the Mediterranean towards Ephesus and the Island of Patmos. We were excited!
On Monday, March 11 we docked at Miletus and boarded our buses for Ephesus. It was interesting to note that as a coastal town the city Ephesus, which our guide pronounced as Ephesoos, in Bible times was close to the water. Today, sand and silt had filled in the land so that the sea is quite a ways from the town. Ephesus, the city where John, Paul and Tmothy preached the gospel of Jesus Christ was almost to much to absorb. Lots of marble and rock; columns and arches filled the city; 25% has been excavated which consist of four city blocks; where to begin! How to explain, the splendor of the past melting into a graveyard of decay.
Outside of the city is a vendor shop selling lots of stuff. Among the stuff were small images of the Goddess Diana most of which look pregnant while others showed male genitals. I wasn't comfortable. Because I have already written a devotional called; "It was carved out of Marble," I will not go into a descriptive detail about our visit to Ephesus. However, the public restrooms of the 5th century were very interesting. Even the wealthy who had their own private facilities sent their servants ahead to warm up their seats. There was a musical combo which played through out the day for the visitors enjoyment and to hide any various noises and sounds. This was a fifteen holer! A continual flow of running water carried off the waste to somewhere outside the city through a hidden drain. Very ingenious, I must say. A different fellowship!
As we were leaving the city we walked up a short incline. Our tour guide stopped us and said; "stop and look back at Ephesoos!" We did and as on cue we all said; "Oh my God!" She said; "This is called Oh My God Hill, because that is what everyone says as they look back. The view was spectacular! A shadow of what was, with only glimmers of it's beauty remaining.
As we look upon the ruins of Ephesus of today, we couldn't help think about the Ephesus in its hey day. "Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 1:1 Yes; Ephesus was once a great and mighty place of God. Timothy was to remain on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines. In the 11th century this beautiful city fell and the fall was great! Today we have seen churches fall and we wonder. Today there are many who leave their first love. However, we must put our trust in God for He is still in charge. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/22/09
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