GROUP JOURNAL FOR

ON THE STEPS OF ST PAUL TOUR
OCT.08, 2005 -OCT. 22, 2005

LAODECIA - MILETUS - DYDIMA - SELCUK

Our first stop today is the ancient city of Hierapolis, named for Hiera, the wife of Telephus.  The ruins contain the largest necropolis ever excavated in Turkey, containing over a thousand tombs of various styles including sarcophagi, house and temple tombs, and tumulus tombs.  Many of the tombs are quite elaborate and seemed to be built to assure a comfortable afterlife.  The amount of attention they paid to their final resting place seems to indicate little fear of death or the afterlife.

We then make a brief stop to stroll the boardwalks among the pools at the top of the limestone terraces that form the backdrop for Hierapolis. How beautiful even on this overcast day. 

Our next stop is Laodicea.  The city was built in a good geographical spot, with plenty of water from the mountains, a meandering river, and four good harvests a year.  They were especially successful because of a plant that grew there that was used to cure eye ailments.  The citizens were very proud of their success with the plant and producing garments for noble Romans.  In Revelations, Laodiceians were called by God “neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm.”  They did not have the ice cold water of the mountains, nor the hot water of the thermal baths in Hierapolis, but warm water that was probably of poor quality.  In Revelations, they are described as blind, because of bragging about having the plant to cure blindness; as naked, for bragging about producing garments for noble Romans; and poor, for being poor in spirit.

On our drive to Selcuk, we stop at a rest stop for obvious reasons, but also to buy—fresh spices!  Thank you, Meli.

Final stop of the day is Miletos where we see a splendid amphitheater which at one time could seat at least 15,000 people.  We learn that an amphitheater is a theater which can hold water in its stomped earthen floor orchestra section.  A favorite form of entertainment would be water battle games in which participants would stand up through holes in boat “costumes” and fight each other.  Miletos was built about 5,000 years ago on the Agean, and remained by the water until the 1400's.  At that time the Meander River changed its course, causing build up of silt, and eventual movement of the seashore 6 to 7 miles away.  When Paul was in Ephesus the second time, he invited the church elders to Miletus to hear him speak and to bid them farewell.  He said he had been truthful with them and told them all he knew about the Christian message, and tells them “happiness lies more in giving than in receiving.”  Then he sailed away, never to see them again.

 We then leave Miletos and head for Selcuk and our hotel, but first we are treated to a visit to Meli’s lovely home.  We are met by Meli’s charming mother and are treated to tea and delicious pastries.  How difficult to leave this warm and friendly home with its marvelous view and cozy fire, but I don’t think Meli is quite prepared for 12 guests tonight!