Selcuk and Efes, Turkey

Selcuk is a small city of 25,000 people located right outside of perhaps one of the most spectacular and largest Roman ruins in the world. It is kind of ironic - perhaps because Rome was sacked quite badly. This was actually the 4th Ephesus - whereas the previous 3 were abandoned due to silt accumulating in the harbour. Selcuk is sitting on Ephesus 1 and 3 (and possibly 5?) but can't be restored properly due to the presence of residential houses and buildings. The 4th Ephesus is actually only 5% escavated - quite impressive as it is. It would be amazing to see what the complete city would look like.

Back in the city itself we met some very interesting and colourful local people. One Kurdish family we met runs a carpet business but one son is an aspiring death metalist and the younger brother is into film. I hope they are successful in their endeavours and we were quite touched by their hospitality. This is the Turkey I remembered and hoped to find again.

Anyways.. that's the last place in Turkey and tomorrow I will be in Krakow (and Kashif will fly to Brussels) to see some sad history and one of the few major Polish cities not completely destroyed in WWII.