June 14, 1995: Kusadasi, Turkey

Our boat docked in Kusadasi, Turkey.  Turkey was considered part of the Middle East.   Turkey was still an agricultural country, but was becoming a tourist destination.   Tourism had become heavy in the past 15 years.   Turkey imported 85% of their oil.  They were known for cotton, wool, and textiles.

Only about 1/7 of high school graduates who took the exam got into the university.  Once they passed the exam and were accepted into the university, it only cost them $100 a year for a medical degree.   About 98% of the people were Muslim, but only 80% of those Muslims were strict Muslim.

Muslims pray 5 times a day. They couldn't have alcohol or pork.  There were about 60 million people who lived in Turkey.

Our tour guide had one year left of medical school and had to do an internship in east Turkey as a doctor in military.  

The countryside was mountainous and green.  It wasn't how I pictured it.   

We saw where they believe the Virgin Mary died.  It was way up on the top of a mountain.  It looked so peaceful.   

I saw ancient Ephesus from the book of the Ephesians in the bible.   It was quite interesting.   We found out later that Charlene almost got bit by a wild dog while at the ruins.   Instead,  the dog bit a lady my aunt met on the trip.  Her friend was allergic to tetanus shots so she had to get an antibiotic.

We saw St. John's Basilica.    

I bought 4 musical wood instruments for $1.   After the tour, we went to a demonstration on how to make rugs.   They rolled out several rugs for us to see.   They served us Turkish tea.    I felt so rich having all these men roll out rugs for me to see.  

Went through the 2nd largest Turkish marketplace in Turkey.   The vendors were quite pushy.    One guy asked where I learned to speak English so well.   Another vendor said he had a friend in Michigan.  He probably has a friend in every US state.

Tonight's show on the boat was a French show, starring Chris Nichol and Marsha Harris from London.    

Grandpa, Grandma, Charlene, Kelsey and I went dancing.  I learned how to do the electric slide which was fun.  

We watched the champagne waterfall.   Champagne glasses were put in a triangle (700 glasses).  The maitre'd poured wine on the top glass which filtered down to the other glasses.  It took about 48 bottles of wine.   All of us women were given a chance to have our picture taken pouring the champagne with the maitre'd.