The cruise ship arrived in Kusadasi early in the morning. We got straight onto a tour bus and headed out of the city (which is a nice size and which I would like to visit) and into the hills. It was a gorgeous drive. Turkey is an amazing nation for so many reasons, culturally, politically, geographically, historically, and more.
Our first stop was the house of the Virgin Mary. The understanding is that she spent her last years in safety here. The site is relatively small but is also pretty busy. It's up on top of a large hill, surrounded by trees. I could have stayed there all day, under all that shade and in all that fantastic fresh air. I could close my eyes and almost be back in Texas.
The air was like those fall days in the Hill Country in Texas when it's cool but the days get warm and you breathe in the pine/cedar smell - hopefully not igniting an allergy attack. But seriously, we almost cried at the sights and sounds and smells of the trees - the cicadas here were loud and brought us very close to home in our minds.
The Virgin Mary was under the protection of St. John of Patmos. The story we were told was that this St. John was the same as the Apostle John (not sure that's universally agreed) and had been instructed to watch over Mary. This house was far enough from Ephesus to remain unnoticed but close enough so that allies could watch over her while he was over on Patmos in hiding and writing the Doomsday Book.
The air was like those fall days in the Hill Country in Texas when it's cool but the days get warm and you breathe in the pine/cedar smell - hopefully not igniting an allergy attack. But seriously, we almost cried at the sights and sounds and smells of the trees - the cicadas here were loud and brought us very close to home in our minds.
The Virgin Mary was under the protection of St. John of Patmos. The story we were told was that this St. John was the same as the Apostle John (not sure that's universally agreed) and had been instructed to watch over Mary. This house was far enough from Ephesus to remain unnoticed but close enough so that allies could watch over her while he was over on Patmos in hiding and writing the Doomsday Book.
We couldn't take photos inside. It was a modest, 2-room home, with a shrine and some information.
We thought of our loved ones as we lit a candle.
Did I mention the trees? Tears might have been shed simply over love of the shade, breeze, and greeniness.
Prayer wall. People write prayers on bits of tissue and add then to it.
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