My visit to Ephesus is the gift that keeps on giving.  There was so much to take in while I was there. Not to mention it was raining for part of the visit and not slipping on the cobbled marble was a very high priority.  It’s after I’ve returned home that I have learned so much more about life in those early years.

Now, I have the curiosity to return and appreciate what life was like for the rich and famous. The following are photos that are part of the restoration of the Terrace Houses, also known as the House of the Rich.

You’ll quickly see why I liked the frescoes.  Keep in mind these houses were first built in the 1st century AD and were used until the end of the 6th century. What do you suppose our houses will look like in 2,000 years?

While the residents were called houses, we would consider them to be palaces with 8,100 square feet of living space. They had hot and cold running water. Massive main rooms were used to entertain.  Here are some of the wall paintings. They used my color palette. I would have been very comfortable with these on my walls too!Their tile floors were very nice as well.What’s a palace without a few pets? Even if you aren’t a cat lover; I don’t think you can help being amazed by all the beautiful healthy cats around the cities. They are everywhere.

And now I know why according to this popular note. “If you kill a cat, you need to build a mosque to be forgiven by God.” As a result, wandering the streets of any city in Turkey, you will see many small containers by the sides of buildings, and discreet food rations doled out by its inhabitants. While the cats are not adopted formally, they are taken care of by no one and everyone, a giant community network of cat caring.

Here are some of my favorites that were at Ephesus on a cloudy afternoon. Good bye Ephesus…Tomorrow I’m off to “The Other side” by ferry.