We got to sleep in till 7 today! Trust me that is sleeping in on this trip. We started the day off in ancient Smyrna which is now modern day Izmir. We were only able to see the agora (or market place) because of the bad area in which the town is located. But we were able to see many old shops and archways. Smyrna was a city in the book of revelations that had many ups and downs due to its location on the Aegean Sea. It only had a short space in the New Testament (Revelations 2:8-11) but very deep powerful meanings.
Then we headed to the Temple of Apollo in Didyma. The temple had massive columns standing at least 3 stories tall. They were unreal. it got me really excited to see the real Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece!
Then we had lunch...more like I had crackers, ice cream and water...Then off to our next site of Miletus. There we had a site report over Acts 20:16-24, 28-38 and 2 Timothy 4:3, 6-8, 10, 20. The site was very large with an ampi-theather that could hold approximately 15,000. As we were exploring the ancient city I had some time to explore and walk off on my own and the peacefulness and spirit i felt was very calming. The city used to be a near a harbor but now the water has gone out a few miles. You can still see the remnants of the sea in they city from all the shells imbedded in the dirt.
Next we went to what is known as the most beautiful place in Asia Minor, Priene. We had to walk up to the city because it was on a hill. Once on the hill we could look out and see the mountains behind us and the entire city and Aegean Sea below us. It was so incredible! Alexander the Great also had a house here back in the day which was later turned into a memorial but now is just all in ruins.
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