Antiquity and Aging

Although, as a rule, we are somewhat tour-averse, today we opted for a guided tour.  Our guide, Nizan and our driver, Omar shepherded Doug and I, as well as 4 women from Mumbai, a father-daughter couple from Capetown and another Canadian, Ashley (Vancouver) through a wonderful day of antiquity, crafts and food.  The weather cooperated until almost the end (it has been threatening to rain all day).  We visited the last home of the Virgin Mary (or if you are Muslim, you would say Mother Mary - I like that better); walked the 3 k through Ephesus (man, it's old!), gorged on a Turkish buffet lunch at one of those touristy diner places, watched a pottery demo; attended a carpet making co-op for a presentation over tea, with a sales pitch (no, we resisted) and finally stopped at the Basilica of St.  John and the Temple of Artemis. 
Finally, back at the Nazar Hotel, we took a wee bottle of wine on our equally wee balcony and watched the Selcuk world go by below. Many other folks were on their balconies and the old couple across the road waved at us.  Perhaps we look curious to them.  Doug managed to record the Call to Prayers on his MP3 player.
I'm pooped after all this.  Even keying it in is wearing me down.  Must be my age!