Very early in the morning, we were on a bus traveling along the Bodrum coast to see Ephesus, One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The moon was still fading into the sky. I was certainly tired but I didn’t want to close my eyes and miss a thing. The coastal areas are extremely green from the morning dew and the proximity to the ocean.
Colorful bougainvillea lined the stone walls overlooking the Aegean Sea. A unique-looking Mosque was in the background. As we passed into the town of Milas, the area seemed to be getting denser and denser. We didn’t pass even one factory but there was lots of agriculture.
Our guide, Ahmad, explained that Turkey is one of a few countries in the world, which can sustain itself. They grow cotton, corn, watermelon, pistachio nuts, figs, hazelnuts, apricots, pears, and raisins, to name a few. We were able to sample figs stuffed with walnuts which were absolutely mouth-watering…and that says a lot coming from a non-fig lover. Another fact…July is when fig harvesting begins here.
Ahmet entertained us with all sorts of facts about Turkey. I had no idea that Turkey has the second largest population in Europe and 20% of the people live in Istanbul. I was surprised that Turkey’s largest industry is automotive. I was shocked that unleaded fuel is over $11 US a gallon.
Turkey has a 90% literacy rate. And all students are given a mandatory standardized test and the results of that test determines what they can study in college as well as which institution they may attend. He explained the citizens are trying to change this system.
The average starting income of a professional in Turkey (examples would be a nurse or a teacher) is the equivalent of $5,000 US. This was shocking as the poverty level in Turkey is considered earning below $18,000 US.
Our bus continued toward Ephesus. Impressive greenery was on all sides. I was admiring the beauty of the fruit trees, and smiling as we drove past an older woman leading her two cows on a walk.
Then seemingly out of nowhere, there were several strip malls containing, out of all things, outlets. Benetton, Ceylon, Puma, Lee, Converse. Starbucks… are you kidding? Or worse yet… McDonalds? If you could spend an extra minute at the fascinating Ephesus Library, the Ephesus Theatre, or the Ephesus Indoor Museum that displays, for example, surgical tools, which are 2000 years old, or the statue of Artemis … would you dare to stop at an outlet mall?