Eric saving ancient civilization

Margie and I are back from a tour of western Turkey. It is hard to wrap one's mind around the idea of 10 to 15 thousands years of recorded and preserved human enterprise that exists in Turkey, especially coming from a small logging-farming community in Oregon. Evidence of past human activity from caves to temples, early christian churches, and mosques are so common as to even merit a glance in many parts of western Turkey. Many structures are falling down and as you see in the picture I'm doing my part to get this Roman ampitheater in Myra from falling into further disorder.
What were the high lights of the tour you ask? To me seeing the importance of religion through the eons. Everyone had lots of gods and temples and ceremonies to propitiate the gods and goddesses- the source of life's misfortunes. Fertility goddesses were big. It took a few thousand years for them to recognize that the male had a role. Along came the Jews claiming there was only one true god. Very bad if you are in the temple building or offeratory business. Then the christians, again bad for business, also challenging the idea that the Roman emperor might not be the head hauncho. Possibly it was the early christians who knocked the noses and genitalia off all those beautiful statues, or possibly just unruly teenagers. Mohammed upset the order again in 600 AD. Turkey is still trying to find it's religious identity. Although 99% call themselves Muslim there was a lot of imbibing of the fruit of the vine, interest in heathen western ways, and hopes that Turkey could one day join the Europeon Union.

Another observation. Slavery was the economic model for eons. The wealthy and powerful constructed elaborate temples and mausoleums to memorialize themselves(using slaves of course). Maurading bands, tribes and imperial armies were after territory and plunder of course, but mainly they needed women and children for their slave force and men inscripted into their armies and navies. Tough eons those.

If travel is in your future, put Turkey at the top of the list. Wonderful people, fabulous history, vistas everywhere, scrumptious food, vibrant economy, you will be treated hospitably by people proud of their country.

I had another MRI last Friday and it remains unchanged, thankfully. I'm tired from the monthly chemo, but thankful that it is still working to keep the beast at bay.
Affection and heartfelt regards to all, Eric