Description of the walking conditions at Aphrodisias as Grade 3, with steep stairs and uncertain footing, deterred Ron from going on the excursion. Rainy weather threatened as we disembarked, but in Aprodisias itself, a two and a half hour bus trip away, it was sunny and soon rather hot. Hearing a far-off muezzin call Friday prayers as we walked through the site was definitely memorable. We had the same Turkish guide as the day before, but someone must have said something to him, because there were no potty jokes and instead informative lectures on the history of Turkey and the present political and religious circumstances. The trek through the ruins was as rough as promised, though I've seen worse. Aphrodisias itself is a great place, beautifully restored. Little remains, unfortunately, of the Temple of Aphrodite, but the Sebasteion, a monument to Augustus erected by Zoilius, probably the freedman of Julius Caesar, who became a town benefactor, is impressive. The original reliefs are in the on-site museum. It was nice to see the famous representations of Agrippina as the wife of Claudius (below left) and crowning her son Nero (below right).
Dinner with Nancy and Chuck Carlson and Marc and Marjorie Raynor. Conversation was difficult, as we sat outside on the deck and voices were sometimes drowned out by the ship's engines. Still, I enjoyed myself. Afterwards, early bedtime, since Aphrodisias did tire me. Everyone is looking forward to the free day tomorrow.
Dinner with Nancy and Chuck Carlson and Marc and Marjorie Raynor. Conversation was difficult, as we sat outside on the deck and voices were sometimes drowned out by the ship's engines. Still, I enjoyed myself. Afterwards, early bedtime, since Aphrodisias did tire me. Everyone is looking forward to the free day tomorrow.
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