Ruined in Selcuk

Having flown into Izmir, we took the bus to Selcuk to see the ancient city of Ephesus with its

 multitude of ruins.  First stop was the St Johns Basilica and the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Not much left to show its formed glory, but incredible to be at a site of this magnitude just the same. Goats wander the streets here, eating mulberries and jumping over the sarcophagi that line the pedestrian walks.  We stopped at a local weaving cooperative introduced to skill women and create an independent means of income.  It is government funded, introduced to provide a  long term means of financial independence after a spate of regional women suicides (given domestic circumstances) and to assist Turkey's bid to join the EU.  The weaving was complex, tricky and incredibly interesting. Learnt about local dyes from eggplants and pomegranates and the symbolism of regional carpet designs. Similar initiatives have been introduced for ceramic work and jewellry. Off the Ephesus tomorrow xx B