Another 08h00 departure. Best we get used to it.
We make an early stop at the ancient city of Troy. The history of Troy goes back to 3000BC. The city was rebuilt 9 times over the centuries (or millenia). Each time in the same place. This is where the Trojan war was fought in the 13th century BC. Ilker related the (rather long) story of this war. Amazing the trouble men can get themselves into for the love of a beautiful woman. But in the end, it all revolves around the famous Trojan Horse, a "gift" from the Greeks to the people of Troy. What they didn't realize was that this large wooden horse, was actually filled with the Greek soldiers, and whilst the people of Troy thought that the decade-long war was over, and all passed out because of their drunken celebrations, the Greek soldiers quietly emerged from the horse, and killed every single living thing in sight. Bet they wished they had bought that Anti-virus software……
Walking through the excavation site, it's just amazing to be able to see walls built around 2500 BC. What is slightly weird is that the various levels of the city are not necessarily stacked nicely on top of each other. The seemed to reuse some of the walls from the one version of the city to the next.
From Troy we drive to Pergamum. This route along the coast along the Aegean sea is just beautiful. And because the weather is playing along nicely, we have beautiful views of some Greek islands. And after a good lunch of Turkish pizza's and kebabs, we were ready for a walk around the Asklepion, the ancient medical center dating back to the 2nd century AD.
No-one was ever allowed to die in this hospital. Before you were admitted, someone would be doing a thorough check-up on you, and if you had a chance of not surviving, you were not admitted. Except for one poor nurse that slipped up, and admitted some dude that was bitten by a rather venomous snake. But, as fortunate may have it, while this dude was in hospital, the poor dude got bitten again by the same type of snake. And there you have it - the invention of the antidote for snakebites. Also, apparently, why the symbol for medicines depicts two snakes. The one that would kill you, the second that would heel you again. I somehow suspect that there may be conflicting explanations, but as Niel always says - never spoil a good story with the facts. :)
Our day ended in Izmir, the third largest city of Türkiye. It is a lively city, claimed to have a more European-like culture. Our hotel is near the busy waterfront, and it was lovely to take a sunset walk, watching locals with their dogs, children, partners, friends - all enjoying the beautiful sunset. At sidewalk cafe's waiters were preparing nargiles (the Turkish water pipes), serving tea, while locals played backgammon or settled in to watch their favourite soccer team.
Many of our fellow travellers agree - we would not
mind spending more time in Izmir.
Did you know: Olives are not eaten directly from the trees. They need to be fermented first. But on this Western coast of Türkiye, there is an area near the sea where the conditions are such that the olives ferment on the trees. (Or so we are told)
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