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JOURNAL FOR
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Day 13
Thursday, October 20th—
Submitted by Clyde Reed"
clydenpaula@comcast.net
WE VISIT ASSOS
(by Clyde Reed)
Acts 20: 13-14
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
13We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.
The first stop of the day was at one of Meli's "Jingle - Jangles". This one was the one to end all Jingle-Jangles. They had everything antique you could imagine, from amphoras to chandeliers. A very interesting stop.We then continued on a very scenic drive and stopped at an olive oil museum, then continued on to a seaside town where we had a leisurely lunch by the oceanside.
We then drove on to Assos. Meli took us on to the other side of Assos to an area where you could see the remnants of the old road that approached the village that Paul probably walked on. Then we stopped at the local elementary school to present them with school supplies that some of the tour members had brought. It was a charming school with students numbering less than 20 (17, if I remember correctly) because it is a small village.
Hussain then drove us up the hill to the main part of the village (as far as he dared) where we got out and then walked on up the hillside to the ruins of Assos. It was the steepest and by far the most strenuous climb I had made on the entire trip (I have a bad heart) and I wasn't sure I would be able to make it, but by stopping now and then to rest and just continuing on as best I could, I was able to catch up with the group at the top. The effort was well worth it. It was a beautiful sunny day, although a bit windy and cool. From the top we could see over the ocean and for miles around (The top was quite high above the ocean)The ruins were quite impressive.
I was amazed at their ability to bring the massive stones (some weighing tons, I am sure) so far up the steep hill with only human and animal power to do so, and then to erect them into such tall edifices. They evidently had a very extensive knowledge of physics to do so. Much of this knowledge was lost during the "Dark Ages", but was later re-discovered. They not only built these amazing structures on high places, but had such amenities as running water and sewer facilities.
On the way down from the ruins back to the village, I spied a rug at one of the roadside displays that caught my eye. Meli said it was a good buy, so I did. I had the "Rug-Bug" as did most of the group. (My wife doesn't want me to come back for fear that I will catch it again!)
Our stop that evening was at a small village in the rugged mountain side by the ocean. The street to the hotel was so narrow that the bus was literally within inches of the walls on both sides of it. When we arrived at the hotel, we were amazed at this fine facility in such a remote place. It was elegant. My room not only had a bedroom, but a sitting room as well. The food here was also sumptuous.
Just after dinner, we were directed outside where the full moon was just rising over the mountains. A lovely ending to a wonderful day.
