Greetings from Miletus, Laodikea, Hierapolis, and the Thermal Pool

1/15/12
    Our day started at 6am, and after a breakfast of yogurt and honey (for me!) we boarded Diana and headed for Miletus. The ancient city used to be a peninsula jutting into the bay, but like many other cities in Turkey, the rivers leading into it completely silted the bay, leaving the current site landlocked for miles. On Paul's third journey he passed through Miletus and gave his farewell speech to the Miletians and the Ephesian leaders who he had asked to meet him, likely at the city's 15,000-seater theater.

   After Miletus, we traveled to Laodikea (Laodicea), the city of earthquakes. The town had finally been abandoned around 600 A.D. because of a devastating earthquake, so the foundation ruins rarely came higher than four or five feet (while in other ancient cities we visited, sometimes even second stories were still intact). The streets were lopsided, and at times opened up to reveal large sewer tunnels underneath. Laodikea brought in water through aquaducts from two different sources- the origin of the first source produced hot water, and the second produced frigid water. Yet, by the time both had reached the city the water was tepid. John writes to the Laodikeans about their lack of faith in Revelations 3:16: "Since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!"

    At Hierapolis, we waded through thermal pools of calcium deposits on the steep white hillside; Cleopatra herself had bathed in the pools of Hierapolis a few thousand years ago. From Hierapolis, we drove to our hotel and (over)ate a delicious buffet dinner. After dinner, we explored the thermal pools at our hotel; there were six different pool areas and levels. The outdoor pools had squishy minerals on the bottom that felt like watery playdoh, and the steamy indoor pools were enough to make us pass out. It was sublime, and we all feel ready for out next adventure!