Istanbul or not?

“hihi, my sisters husband had some insurance problems down there. You must know, they do drive like fools down there (all over europe) and a bus hit his car. Pretty bad damage, he did't get paid a single $ or Euro. Something about the German insurance, don't ask me. BUT....they fixed his car down there for about $50. In Germany they would've paid about $1,000 or maybe more to get the same damage fixed.

if you into name brand stuff: they have all the fake stuff down there really cheap. I got a gucci watch for $10. Gold: CHEAP!!!

Oh, bathrooms: No actual bathroom like we have, you kneel and aim. I saw a picture of it once, hard to explain, looks almost like a shower.

Can't say it enough, go. Take me with you if you can!!!”

“Hole in the floor, and a spigot (IF you are lucky) to wash the hands...

By the way, the sign for a bathroom is W.C. (Water Closet) and the word if you ask for one is tuvalay (Phonetic).”

“why would you spend that much money to visit a turkey??????”

“Well, in some establishments, the toilets are outside stall with a hole in the ground and porceline "handles" to grab while you do your business. No TP either. Generally, you only find this outside the cities though.

What's an Eastern-style tiolet?”

“


info ”

“They have them in Japan and China. You squat over them. It's sorta like a small porcelain trough that flushes.

Fortunately, I never had to use one when I was in Japan, all the buildings I went to had Western-style toilets. But I could use one now because of my backpacking experiences!”

“you'd have though phonetic would have started with an 'f'.”

“Mapes, I think that is the super deluxe model.”

“My apartment was in Yesilkoy, a predominately European area near the airport, and was blessed with European Toilet fixtures,although old, (Pull chain Toilet)...

SUK! (Water!) DO NOT drink from a spigot ANYWHERE! Water for drinking is sold from wagons or in bottles...make SURE the seal on the bottle intact...unscrupulous dealers will fill water bottle from taps..bad JUJU!”

“take your water filter with you. ah, backpacking comes in SO handy!”

“looks like this is going to happen!

toilet - no problem - I've squatted in the woods and I'll carry my own tp!

was wondering about the water filter - as soon as I read the water was bad I thought "would it be wierd if I brought my PUR?"

OMG! Istanbul??? Wow.”

“I wonder if just filtering would be enough...”

“I heard on another thread that the Palistinians bombed Istanbul and that both people DON'T get along AT ALL.”

“What happened to Seattle?”

“Oh Geo, would you please keep up with me and my ever changing whims?? Please refer to my earlier post regarding this subject on this very thread. Sheesh!

;)”

“Well, I called the airline and found an even better rate. My passport is good to go. I can take the week off and still come back to a job. All I have to do now is pay for the ticket, start reading, and dig out my small suitcase!”

“fez and a brick of hashish...don't get caught...ahhhhhh hashish. bleased is he who smokes the sheesh...LOL.

Have a wonderful time and be safe.”

“just think

"Midnight Express"”

“I've never been across the Atlantic before. Would have thought the first time would be to London or Paris. Dang, what doe sone pack for a trip to Turkey?”

“LOL @ mapes.!

If you're realy worried about the water, you might want to buy the First Need Deluxe. It's a purifier, which is better than a filter...”

“Belly dancer clothes?”

“No, Istancow!”

“Go!”

“Twinks,

To protect yourself from getting stomach bugs you can take Pepto Bismal prophylactically. After learning the hard way in South America, may I suggest that you take some Pepto (liquid or chewables) before every meal. Pepto has the benefit of coating your stomach to keep enteric bugs from getting into your gut wall and the Bismuth also helps to kill any foriegn invaders. It's also good to have with you should your stomach start acting up. I've learned to take a big bottle in my luggage. At worst, it can't hurt!”

“GO”

“Pardon Me, but I had my radar on and I could of sworn someone said something about needing to be poked???”

“Sounds like a great trip, just make sure you bring your own water...”

“It's official! I'm going to Istanbul!!!!!!!


HOLY FREAKIN BONKERS”

“Wow!”

“thatsa a bunch of istanbullcrap”

“4 and 1/2 days!!!!!

This time next week I should be sitting somewhere in Istanbul - maybe overlooking the Sea of Mamara while sipping Apple Tea at a rooftop cafe...... :)”

“I know no one gives a poop about this...but...only 3& 1/2 days!!!

If I don't get blow away before then. :(”

“You'll be fine. Spend your time being excited about your trip.”

“Recommend the grand bazaar, and spending a few hours at a Turkish bath house and getting the massage.

Raki is a LOT stronger than Ouzo.

Also visit Sultan Ahmet, and St. Sophias. St Sophias was the model for Indiana Jones and the last Crusade.”

“Yeah - I think a Turkish Bath would be nice on Saturday after the long flight - although on Monday alot of the museums are closed...so many choices ...what's a girl to do? :)”

“Peter Graves: "Have you ever been in a... in a Turkish prison?"”

“One more day and off I go!”

“Have a great trip and be safe!

Take lots of pictures!!!”

“So you are going! That's terrific Twinks. Have a great time.

Hope you like yogurt. The turks spread yogurt on everything. It's actually pretty good.”

“As cousin Valke says, Get out of the country!”

“find a cyber cafe and tell us how things are going!”

“OMG!!! I haven't even packed yet - holy bonkers - so much to do tonight. Went to the bookstore during lunch and got my own guide book with Turkish translations of all essential words, a map of the city (mmmmmm- love maps), and a new book to read for the flight. Funny enough - I picked up a book written by a Turkish writter about a story set in 16th-century Istanbul (Constantinople)!

And I've figured out the currency - written down conversions and the average prices of certain items.

This time tomm. I will be at the airport getting ready to fly away! Eckkk - I don't like flying - hope the plane doesn't explode or fly into any buildings or in anyway crash.


:)”

“hey, have a great trip. Drink some turkish coffee for me down there. you going by yourself??”

“learn these two words and you will be fine.


kolza
(rape)

yardým etmek
(help)


have a blast and be careful and be good!”

“Geez us Maple! What the hell is that!!??? Trying to scare the crap out of me before my trip?!?”

“welll



YES!!

LOL”

“sheesh.”

“this i say to you:

hijenik kadin bagl”

“hijenik kadin bagl can't be found




??”

“Have a great trip, Twinks! Hope your baggage doesn't wind up in Cleveland...”