Surprises

 

We’re coming up to our final Sunday in Izmir. It’s been rather hot – 35- 38° - so that we have depended on air conditioning to survive at night.

Last weekend was fairly full. On Saturday, we went to the lovely Arkas Gallery. The building, on the Kordon, the former French consulate is still French property and flies the tricolor. But it is run by the Arkas foundation, part of shipping and commercial organisation, which has several other galleries in Izmir. Exhibitions used to be free, but there is a nominal charge (reduced price for us seniors!) The current exhibition – ‘Tradition and Modernism’ displays a range of paintings by Turkish artists during the first three decades of the Republic, when European fashions were being followed. Many of the younger painters trained in Paris.

Sunday was Trinity Sunday. We were expecting an additional 25 in the congregation – pilgrims from St Bartholomew the Great in London, led by their Rector. But we were surprised by a further 20 or so on a separate pilgrimage, whose pilgrimage had not yet started. So we were running round before the service, trying to find additional service books and reading sheets. But in the end, it was a good service, with some robust singing from the 60 plus congregation. And they all seemed very positive about the worship (and sermon!) Again, we had a good conversation with a few people, over coffee after they had had lunch (I need a break to recharge.)

Otherwise, it’s been a normal week, with Evening Prayer at St Mary Magdalene’s and Bible Study in the hall, and on Zoom. We also had a morning meeting with talk and prayer at a quiet café with a couple of church members.

For our day-off, we took the Izban to the end of the line at Selçuk – the town which includes Ephesus. We decided not to visit Ephesus this time – it would have been very busy and hot. The day didn’t start too well, and I got onto the train just before the doors shut, leaving Jo on the platform. I had to go to the next station and return. But fortunately, the next train to Selçuk had not left and we had ample time for the connection at Tepeköy. The journey takes just over an hour, and it’s good to go through open country after Izmir’s noise and congestion. There are acres of prairies which are fully farmed, though we don’t envy the women picking fruit and vegetables in the heat.

We had thought of going to the Virgin Mary’s House, a place of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims, which we have seen a couple of times; but the only way there was by taxi, which was going to be rather expensive, and would only give us 40 minutes there. So we stayed in the town, and went to the Ephesus Museum, which we had seen before, but now had time to really explore and enjoy. It is very informative, and has great displays of statues and pottery.

I nearly spoilt the day, by tripping over a kerb round a tree and falling on the pavement. But people were very helpful – one got a chair for me, and got some wipes from the nearby café for my grazed elbow. No damage was done, and the café brought out the coffees which we ordered – and which I clearly needed. It’s good to experience the kindness of strangers, though I don’t recommend falling over to experience this! But it’s reassuring that my bones are obviously quite strong, and no medical care was needed. So not too many surprises.

We later walked through the town, which has the remains of a Roman aqueduct; most of the pillars had a nest for storks, many of which had young. We had a surprisingly nice lunch at a local café.

 So we come nearly to the end of our time here. St John’s feels like a church with real potential, with a growing number of students and other young people, who have a real enthusiasm and commitment. We shall miss much of it, though it will be good to be back home and have a less crowded diary – and lower temperatures!

 We have one more Sunday Eucharist and Tuesday Evening Prayer. Then we move out of the flat on Wednesday, to spend the night in the hotel before our early taxi journey to the airport and flight, on Thursday. We spend that night in London and take the train back to Axminster on Friday.

 Please pray that all goes smoothly and safely.