In Istanbul

New York Times ^ | 6/9/2002 | DOUGLAS FRANTZ

[crazykatz]

NOPE, no Greeks at all, Serbs or Russians either.

I just had bad tourist experiences in Turkey and I want to add some information about it to the post. Plus, I hate the NYT!!!

And, by the way, my friends who went to Greece said there were a couple Greeks who were communists and vocally anti-American at some place they went. Other than that, the food was great and most of the people real nice! They love seafood and were in food heaven in Greece!! Darla came home with many new recipes.

Of course, you can russle-up some anti-Americans at any democRAT party function right here in the USA.

Their Turkish experiences were like mine...poorly prepared food, upset tummies, crooks trying to sell you garbage at gold prices, etc.

We belong to a travel group and have traveled ALOT...I can tell you about bad experiences from ALL the trips...But, as much as "a Turk" doesn't want me to say it....the OVERALL WORSE TRIP in my entire was to his country. That is just the way it is/was.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Interesting. When I was in the Navy, I spent a week in Turkey (Antalya) but I've never been to Istanbul. I had a great time, I'd go back.

[xJones]

There's never any guaranty of course, just look at the suffering of Jesus. Never the less, that's the only way. Just love your neighbor, and show him you care. If we give up, it's because we're giving in to the proverbial devil.

Very true. Hang around, we need you.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

"If I am no longer around in four to five years"

Hey,..don't say that Turk!!!! You better be!!! Heck, I've already been on this forum for 5!!! You'll be here. At least I sure HOPE so!!

Not to worry as far as tourist info.. remember, I graduated from Travel Agent School!!! :o) We both took it for fun, at night one year in Alaska. But NOTHING beats talking to ONE who KNOWS ;o)

FRegards friend!!

[sistergoldenhair]

Just remember that we're all just human beings, and that nothing works better than individual acts of kindness at a close personal level.

So true.

If I am no longer around in four to five years...

Four or five years?? Great. Then I can count on continuing information regarding this important region.

BTW, it still sounds like a great vacation spot.
I can dream of a visit some day.

[another cricket]

It sounds great!

a.cricket

[patriciaruth]

So, when did you get your new job with the Office of Tourism?:-)

Sounds like me posting "Buy, buy, buy" right after 9-11. Consumer spending is what is pulling us out of the recession in spite of the corporate accounting and stock analyst scandals.
Hope Turkey manages to pull out soon, too.

[WaterDragon]

I replied on the other thread, now see it's been pulled. What happened?

Anyway, I'll say again, the article sure makes a trip to Turkey sound terrific!

[a_Turk]

So, when did you get your new job with the Office of Tourism?:-)

Naah, no job. Just patriotism.

[a_Turk]

I had the other thread deleted because a couple of freepers filled it up with hate mail. This one is working out much better.

[TRY ONE]

Thanks a_Turk,

I have several business associates/friends over there now and also in Ankara. One problem in Istanbul, there is a lot of traffic congestion. We were trying to set up a meeting in Istanbul last week and it took 3 hours for for one group to drive from one side of town to the other.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

I went to Turkey last year before Septh 11th. I've been reading some of the bad experiences some of you have had . You can have a bad experience just about everywhere. The thing you have to keep in mind before go to a foreign country is whether bad experiences are typical of the place.

No, I didn't sense any anti-Americanism, for those of you who have asked. I've done a lot of traveling and I'd rate the Turks up there with the Japanese in the 'Friendliest People' category. I don't know if this has changed after Sept 11th. I was surpised with how modern the country looked. I was expecting it to be a lot less developed. Istanbul had a lot exotic stiff to see and but I liked the countryside better and the sunny coasts of Antalya. And the different colored buildings in the cities and town we passed though were really eye-popping.