Sunday, May 4, 2014
Hello!
Today’s weather forecast called for rain – all day, so we
weren’t surprised to wake up to a very gray and dull kind of day. Down to breakfast about 8 – believe it or
not, I slept something like 10½ hours…gotta re-charge that sleep bank! Traditional sort of breakfast, with cereals,
hot dishes, cold cuts and cheeses. No
cake though – bummer! As we were
preparing to go out, it was starting to rain.
However, as we had some distance to go, we weren’t too worried about
it. Ruins can be discovered in the rain
as well as the sunshine!
Today’s goal is a repeat visit to Midas Sehri (Midas City)
reputed home of “the” famous King Midas, he of the golden touch and donkey ears,
and leader of the Phrygian community.
Two years ago, we hit Midas City (also on a Sunday) but there was
scaffolding all over the front of the big shrine, as it was being cleaned and
preserved. So, we poked about a bit,
then headed back on our way. However, as
we were leaving and driving along a side road, I looked out the window to see
people walking along the cliff, behind the big shrine! Little did I know then that Midas Sehri was,
truly, a city and there were many rock tombs and edifices – cisterns, thrones,
etc. – carved into the rock to be seen!
As a result, I definitely put it on the list for this year’s trip. 
Back to today. Emmy,
our British GPS, guided us there the most direct way – not the fastest. As a result, we backtracked over some
territory we saw two years ago – and, literally, it seemed like we were going
through farmers backyards again. Lots of
very bumpy roads as well as gravel and dirt roads. (That was when R changed Emmy over to “fastest
route” – at least then we have a reasonable chance of staying on pavement!
Found Midas Sehri with no trouble, and parked in the parking
lot and hiked the half-mile or so into town and the base of the ruins. This time, though, there was actually a
guardian who gave us a real map – in Turkish and in English! Certainly not the best map I’ve ever seen,
but at least it did help quite a bit in showing us what we should be looking
for! (Also, I guessed correctly when R
wanted to know if he should go into the “bay” or “bayan” WC!)
We hiked past the big monument (and R got a really nice
picture of some of the Phrygian writing on the side of it) and around the
corner to follow the trail – some nice wooden steps, as well of lots of rocks
to climb over. (Excellent signage, in Turkish and English, until the signs got
wet – and as they were black letters on black basalt, it was impossible to
read!) We saw the Unfinished
Monument, one of the cisterns – and then decided to find the large Phrygian
altar and throne which was supposedly at the top. Rather a stiff hike up, but it was very
breezy and cool (and threatening rain) and once we reached the top, definitely
started to sprinkle.
Finding the altar/throne was difficult. We were joined in the hunt by a German
couple, which at least meant that we could cover more territory. FINALLY we found it – there is a picture of
it! Very interesting, but whew, quite a
hike! (In all, besides the German
couple, we saw three other people in total while we were visiting! That’s the way I like my sites!!)
We worked our way around the back side of the mountain, and
came down again fairly close to the visitor area. Quite the two-hour hike; ready for a bit of
rest at the moment!
Decided to head north, and return back through the really
charming university city of Eskisehir.
Also, looking for lunch, as it was WAY past time!!
Robert read about Eskisehir, and discovered that they had an
archeological museum that included Hittite articles! Our first museum in two whole days!! We headed there, and how nice, they also have
a Museum Café!
Menu entirely in Turkish, but a few photographs to
help! We both ordered toasted sandwiches
– R getting the grilled cheese pictured on the menu, and me taking a stab at
the white cheese we have every morning.
Well, I won! Not only did my
toasted sandwich have that wonderful cheese, but it came slathered top and
bottom with pesto! It was great! Also on the plate were small dishes of black
olives, tomatoes and cucumbers. All
together, a very satisfactory lunch!
Then into the museum.
We just about had the place to ourselves, and it was not only an
extremely well-done exhibition, but someone there definitely has a sense of
humor! Besides the exhibits, you can
stand in a chariot box and take the horse reins, and looking forward, drive
your chariot around town! In another
place, you could use a mouse and explore a tomb for yourself! Very clever and fun! Also, they had large black arrows on the
floor so that you would follow in the right order; signage in Turkish and
English!
By the time we were finished, I think the guards were ready
to give us up…I might be mistaken, but when we finally walked out the door, I
thought I heard a collected sigh of relief!
These Americans! But fortunately
for us, they did leave the main gate open just a little bit so that we could
get out.
Then, back by main road to Kutahya, arriving here about 5
p.m. Lovely day! Dropped our things in the hotel and then went
down to Migros (grocery store) for some Kleenex and water. I’ve found a place that sounds interesting
for dinner, which isn’t very far from here…we’ll see if we’re even hungry! Also, we have laundry being done even as I
type! Put a load in around 5:30 and it
was actually done in half an hour!
(Unlike some European machines where I swear there are people inside
beating our clothes against rocks, they take so long…) Now into the dryer! When they’re done, we will have totally clean
clothes, at least for an evening! YIPEE!
More later!
m
xxx
NOTE: We decided that
we really weren’t hungry, so no more until tomorrow! m xxx
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