Bergama in Greece---er, I mean Turkey

I love this charming little market town, but I keep thinking I'm in Greece. (Hi, Maria! I'm waving across the Aegean at you.) The houses and the people are really a lot like some of the towns on the Greek islands. And I'm not complaining.












This part of Turkey would be really exciting to those interested in Christian history. I keep running across places I heard about in Sunday School. The Red Basilica here in Bergama is mentioned in Revelations as one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse, and Satan himself is supposed to have a throne here. If so, he's probably finding it a bit drafty.

I also visited the Asceplion today, where Galen, the Greek physician, practiced. The remains are very impressive, and even more impressive is how unregarded they are. I haven't been to a lot of historical sites where you can sit on an overturned 1st century column to eat fresh figs, which I did. (Given to me by a kindly woman who was collecting them from the tree in front of her house.)

Back in the village, it seems to be market day. Bergama was sleepy when I arrived, but bustling today. The food here is amazing: fresh made or freshly brought in to market. Melons, tomatoes, beans, everything...

And the Turks do love their bread. It comes with every meal and bakeries are everywhere. I haven't eaten this much white bread ever. But it's delicious.

This has been a lovely, relaxing place to visit and I think I've finally overcome jet lag. Tomorrow I move on to Selcuk, the modern town near the ruins of Ephesus, another place out of Christian history. More Roman ruins!