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Kasadasi

District 6060-Missouri with District 2440-Southwestern Turkey

Kusadasi ..bird island   This is a resort town on the Aegean Sea, known for the hotels and restaraunts.  Crystal clear water and blue skies welcomed us. A port city to many cruise ships, so most Rotarians spoke English.  This made it easier but we lost out on some much-needed practice.  We were met at the Atnic hotel by the Kusadasi Rotary Club president Ayşe Őzdoğru.  We had a quick drink {tea of course} and got to know each other.  We were taken on a tour of the city and up to an old fortress that overlooked the sea.  We came back and met our host families and went our separate ways with our families for the evening.  Three of us stayed together (Ted, Carole, and Nikki) with a Dentist and his wife, Keith and Cindy were both with local doctors, and Laura was with a local hotel manager (the local 5 star hotel, not too shabby!!)       Day 2   We met at the Atinc hotel and went to the Virgin Mary house where Mother Mary was hidden after Jesus died.  It is believed by some that she died there.  Everyone got a chance to light a candle and say a prayer, as is the custom.   We were told that the home was discovered through a dream had by a German nun.  The area was very crowded but still very peaceful. We then went to the ancient ruins of a Roman town Ephesus.  It was amazing.    It was the best history lesson one could receive about ancient roman civilization.  The structures date back to 2nd century AD.  They had running water and heating systems, and even toilets (although they didn’t quite get the idea of privacy yet, as the toilets were set up baseball dugout style).  After that we had lunch in a little village and went to the museum of Ephesus where there is a great collection of Roman artifacts.   The museums are fascinating, because most things you can just reach out and touch if you want to. In the late afternoon we went to a small town called Selcuk, where we sampled local wine and shopping.  We all had a chance to go home and clean up before a great night at a marina restaurant with all of the host families and their “kids”.   Day 3 We met at the Marina and spent all morning on the Aegean Sea.   This was not a bad day at all…. We went swimming in a cove and then had to dry out with some sunbathing of course.  We spent the rest of the on a hotel beach, swimming and sunning. This was a fun day that was appreciated by everyone.   2 weeks in and we actually really miss hanging out with our GSE team members… We attended the rotary club meeting at the Atinc hotel and met all the members.  Our presentation was a hit and we had tea and fellowship after with the Rotarians.   You may have noticed a theme here…tea, tea, tea.  They actually run it out to you at the gas station.    Day 4   Met at the Atinc hotel and said goodbye to everyone and departed for Denizli.