Day 5: Retreat Ends and a Historical Visit
Posted in Historical Adventures and tagged with Travel, Turkey on November 10, 2009
The theater where Acts 19 may have taken place
This morning (remember, we’re 7 hours ahead of the East Coast) we’ll be wrapping up our retreat. Once we pack up, our team will be heading off to visit the ruins of Ephesus.
This really is a neat trip, to visit a place where Paul lived. It is my third time though, so I’m not excited about it, but I am excited for our teammates who’ve never been to experience it. Afterwards we’ll likely be stopping by for some Turkish culture by going to a nearby gozleme shop (gozleme is like a quesadilla, but the bread is thinner).
That gozleme shop last trip was my first experience with a squaty potty…and I enjoyed it! (click the link if you want to learn more) They are really more sanitary when you are in public. We’ll likely still run into Western toilets in a lot of places (including the places where we’ll be staying), but public toilets are more frequently of this Eastern style.
We’ll end the day back in our host city.
Please pray:
*The retreat will wrap up well and we will all be energized and encouraged for the tasks still at hand.
*Eyes open, that we’ll seize any opportunities we may be given to love the Turkish people.
*That we’ll not conform to the stereotype of typical American tourists but will be kind, considerate, and respectful of other cultures.
Thank you for praying!
Twitter: MissWisabus
Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 7:14 am
It’s totally a mental thing, but I’m not sure I could do the squatty potty. When my parents got married, my dad basically issued a hovering edict on my mother (which I still do not understand). So she hovers in public bathrooms AND at home. She tried to raise me in the same way. It. did. not. work. The invention of those toilet covers was a big blessing for me. But enjoy your squatties!
And after that odd paragraph, I’ll say that I can’t wait to see the food :)
November 10th, 2009 at 7:47 am
I’m glad you’re having a good time! And OH, to go where Paul went!!!!!! I’d love it!
I’m not going to totally poo poo the squaty potty (har har), but it sure is hard to accept when it’s not what you’re used to. They use those in Italy as well.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:23 am
I just learned about a squatty potty for the first time this weekend at a worker event at my local gathering place. We had 28 worker families in attendance, one from your locale I think, and many from overseas. It was in celebration of their work and is held every year. It’s our second time to attend since we moved here and it is the most amazing thing. You’d love it!
I’m enjoying the updates, live or not! Thanks!
November 10th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Sounds awesome! I would love to see things like that sometime.
Be safe!
November 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Ok, so I just checked out the squatty potty link and wow, do I have some questions. I’ll hold onto them for until you get back…LOL. They do look more sanitary though. I mean the floor is obviously going to be dirty, but you don’t have to worry about touching the toilet or covering the seat or falling on the seat (if you’re squatting over it). You don’t have to worry about the splash when you flush. So those are definitely pros!
November 10th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I just finished reading the updates (behind on my reader, as always) and so glad to see you’re having an amazing time. Enjoy it, because sadly, like all trips, it’ll be over before you know it!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
WOW…not my thing…
November 10th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
You’re enjoying the squatty potty? Wow ummm… looks like work!
November 12th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Elizabeth…totally hit me up! I’ll do a Q&A with them next week!