Istanbul or not?

“Should I go or not, that is the question. For it is $575.00 round trip ticket but I have a free place to stay. Let's not forget $100 visa fee yet I'd also have free breakfast.

Hmmmm.....sounds mighty appealing... oh, if only I could win the lottery.”

“Just be sure to go to Istanbul, not Constantanopul.”

“I love that song!

I've been humming it all morning while debating my crack head scheme!”

“Be sure to spit on any Kurds and Turkmen you see. That should endear you to the masses.”

“What about Seattle and school?”

“nobodys business but the turks”

“My sister lives in Turkey, but not Istanbul. They go to Istanbul from time to time.

Istanbul is quite a place from what I hear. If I had a chance to go there, I would.

If you have any questions, I can pass them on to my sister. Her family has lived in Turkey most of the last 15 years.”

“Go.

And stay there, if you can.

Seriously. You're young and should do these types of "crack head schemes" while you still can, before you get stuck with responsibilities and a life that won't allow stuff like this.”

“I'm in school! Had my first class this past Saturday!

Decided against Seattle. All my family and friends are on the east coast and I was already accepted into school here. I was just freaking out over the fact that something I'd been dreaming about for so long was becoming a reality - and it scared me a bit.

But Istanbul! I've never been across pond. I've always dreamed of going to Turkey.

Also, I would not have to miss any classes and could study on the plane.”

“Sounds like a great opportunity. Just DON'T try to smuggle any hashish out of the country.”

“LOL!

"Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moon-lit night
Every gal in Constantinople
lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
so if you've got a date in Constantinople
she'll be waiting in Istanbul
Even old New York
was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul"”

“Of course! Go!”

“Now, I'm gonna be humming that song all day!

Istanbul was Constantinople... Istanbul was Constantinople...

8~p”

“TT - not poking at ya, I just lost track of what you decided on. I was hoping you were going to say what you said.....”

“Didn't think you were poking at me - although....I might just like that. LOL!!”

“There's only one proper response to that.









ROAD TRIP!”

“all this talk of turkey is making my hungry”

“Lunch time!!!!!”

“dangit - I hate it when someone plants a terrrific idea in your head and then all you do is obsess over it...to go - to not go - a fabulous impromptu vacation - or stay and be all responsible and stuff - but its Istanbul!! it's gorgeous and exotic!

wonder what the hikingi s like there? might just have to do some field research”

“gorgeous and exotic..... some of it yes ;o)”

“Okay. So has anyone here ever been to Istanbul? What can you tell me about it?”

“My wife was there ten years ago for 7-10 days.

Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski
The Hotel is the only 5 star deluxe hotel located directly on the European shores of the Bosphorus.

My wife stayed at this restored palace on a business trip.
She went out on the balcony to look at the Bosphorus and was driven back inside by the incredibly filthy air.
The view of the Bosphorus was obscured by air pollution and it stung her eyes.
They use a lot of diesels and two-stroke engines there with no clean air regulation.

Otherwise Istanbul was great.
The food is interesting too.

My wife was there working on Turkey's first ever(I am told) sewage treatment plant!
Apparently the doodoo is piped directly into the Bosphorus!”

“the Blue Mosque is nice”

“Never been but I'd love to go.

Don't overanalyze it just go! You will not regret it.”

“Twinkle, I would not debate it any further. Go! Any opportunity to go overseas should be taken. I can not make it clear enough. Nothing to consider really.”

“Tom, the sewers in Venice apparently work the same way. One of the challenges of controlling the slow flooding of Venice is that they can simply dam off the lagoon that Venice is built in, because it much be flushed by the tides or turn into an open cesspool.”

“Oops, that should be "can't simply dam"”

“and "must be flushed"...


Damn rented fingers...”

“They're right you know, whatcha got to lose, especially if you know someone there. It's better to regret what you did than what you didn't do.”

“My wife and I visited Istanbul during a Greek Cruise in 1994. If you do go, you must visit the Blue Mosque built by the Sultan Ahmet 1st in the 1600's. Actually, you cannot miss it; it is the central Mosque of Istanbul. Make sure you get a pedicure before you go; you are not allowed to wear shoes in a Mosque.”

“I was stationed in Turkey 13 years ago. I'm sure alot has changed since then. I spent 4 days in Istanbul. I remember the cab rides were scary as hell, (they drive at high speeds and use their horns more than their brakes). Lots and lots of yellow cabs. The sky line was tall and getting taller. I remember Istanbul being a very large city. Gold and rugs are on every street corner.”

“Yeah, esp. if you have a friend or whatever over there. That is the ideal when visiting a foriegn country. You have the insider track.”

“Definately go for a visit if you can. Istanbul is an amazing city. My family used to live in Ankara and we visited Istanbul many times. (My dad was a diplomat.) After visiting my family during summer vacation, I took the Midnight Express train from Ankara to Istanbul. Have you ever seen the movie? What a wild experience!!

Couple of things to keep in mind. Familiarize yourself with the customs and the culture of the land before you visit. Be sensitive to their way of doing things. Determine if there are any travel advisories for US citizens. Women are generally second class citizens in Turkey.

Have a great trip!”

“Good pt. from Creek Dancer. When in Istanbul do as the . . . Istanbulians?! You get the idea.”

“I've already read the US Dept. of State's report on Turkey. Seems that it is okay to travel - not great - but okay. I should be good as long as I don't insult the State, try to convert anyone, steal artifacts, drink unbottled water, or time the trip with an earthquake or terrorist attack. :)

I'm going to count my pennies and if I have enough then I'm going to go.”

“oh yeah - this would be next weekend!”

“Next week. Wow. Will you need a visa?”

“"A passport and visa are required. Holders of all types of passports can purchase a 90-day sticker visa at the port of entry for $100, if they are traveling to Turkey as tourists." (Deot. of State)

I have a passport and it seems the visa is acquired at the airport. I should probably go to the embassy here and check on that.”

“My wife figured out why so many people there dress in black.......dirty air!


A lot of the women there dye their hair with henna.
Watch out, they might try to steal your hair~~~=:O”

“Tom Terrific - yeah, the air is very bad there, especially in the winter. They burn a lot of very low rate coal and wood for heat. The air was so bad that there was soot in the crevaces of the seal on the refrigerator. We had to have air purifiers in the house, which were only marginally useful.

During the first winter that I was in Ankara, there was a miliary coup. Tanks were rolling up the street where we lived and riots broke out. We couldn't leave the apartment without an escort. Very scary time.”

“My sisters husband is turkish. Turkey is a real pretty place. Saw some pictures my sister took. Now, she went shopping in Istanbul, but lived in a small village, so it is different.

Be aware, if you ever have to go through customs (other then the airport customs)they like money, and they will not let you go through without paying. Illegal as heII, but they do it.


Anyway, go!! I would if I had the chance!”

“Creek Dancer - My sister lived in Ankara more than any other place. They liked it there.”

“GO, NOW, RUN!!!! DO IT!!!

did I make myself clear on where I stand. if not..

STOP THINKINg, just go”

“Phil, we also enjoyed living there. The turks are beautful, warm and loving people. Ankara was dirty, but the countryside was absolutely beautiful.”

“stop dithering and GO. take the chances life gives you. GO. GO. GO. why on earth shouldn't you go? don't let money hold you back. you won't starve and fall into ruin because of it, will you? then GO!”

“If you are going to use rent money for the trip, you might want to bring back something nice (and legal) for your landlord.”

“In Yesilkoy, right outside the Airport...

I agree STRONGLY with Creekdancer...Learn the customs and LAW...be careful, but GO.

Check the Local exchange rate; the Dollar is a powerful incentive to some merchants, be careful not to buy antiquities, as these are confiscated by the customs personnel at the Airport...

I was stationed at a NATO Nuclear site at Cakmakli Turkey, lived in an apartment in Yesilkoy, Visit ALL the tourist spots, and if you have the time, take the Ferry across the Sea of MarMara to Karamursel(?). We used to earn three day passes by spotting Russian Subs from the observation Deck as the made the transit from the Black Sea(Russias only year round warm water port) to the Med through the Bosporus. A great way to see the Harbour and visit another Turkish City and tan, all at the same time!.

No one has mentioned the Grand Bazzar, but you must go, 5,000 shops under the roof, and remember: bargain...the merchants expect you to say to much and walk away...because they DO ask for too much...LOL.

As a Tourist, the Istanbul Area is a heck of a destination, go, be safe and enjoy, but barter the cab fare in advance, keep the money in your hand, and at your destination, give the fare to the driver and leave without looking back...Cabs are required to have meters in them but there is no law to say they must work...additionally, when you rent a cab, YOU are liable for the way it is driven, and any resultant accidents, NOT THE DRIVER!...so if he wrecks, throw him the money, and DISAPPEAR!

I left and can never return...I made a Late Night Visit to a CLASSIFIED Turkish Military Facility during a Joint training exercise with Turkish Special Forces...and took three 9MM subgun rounds to the Ballistic Plate in my vest for my efforts(who says we don't spy on our allies?)...needless to say, the Turks and the State Department had a mess, and I missed a Turkish Military Prison by the skin of my teeth...

Ah, but those were the days...”

“do they eat turkey in turkey?”

“SuperTroll! So that was you? lol Should we warn Twinks about the toilets?

I forgot about the cabs. Yes, the person who hires the cab is responsible for any damage resulting from the accident. Weird, but that is their law.

The Turks have a custom of passing around a lemon scented water that you are expected to rub on your hands. I don't know the origin of the custom, but it might have something to do with the fact that nearly every Turkish man smokes.

On my first winter trip to Ankara, the airport was fogged in so I had to take a bus from Istanbul. During the 10 hour trip, all the bus windows were up and every single Turkish man on the bus was smoking an unfiltered cigarette. I think they were having a party. They kept passing around the scented water and tried to make me feel at home.”

“Do they have the Eastern-style toilets there, or are we talking the no-TP thing?”