[a_Turk]

DOUGLAS FRANTZ is chief of the Istanbul bureau of The Times.

The thread had filled up with a bunch of Turk Hater garbage from two biggoted goofballs, so I had it deleted and started over. Here are most of the ok comments:

To: a_Turk
Ive heard its a great city.
posted on 6/9/02 12:36 PM Eastern by weikel

To: a_Turk
Istambul has always sounded like a great place to visit. My father worked in the Middle East, loved Istambul and wanted to retire there, but an outbreak of anti-Americanism drove most Americans out of Turkey at that time. Pity. Otherwise, I might know much more about Istambul than I do!
posted on 6/9/02 12:38 PM Eastern by livius

To: a_Turk
Sounds like a fine spot for a vacation.
posted on 6/9/02 12:46 PM Eastern by sistergoldenhair

To: livius
Heck, we always had Americans live in our neighborhood.. You're talking about the US embargo years in the mid seventies. That's when that great movie "Midnight Express" was produced in the US. That was not a fun time, but also no big deal. It taught us not to put all our eggs into one basket.
posted on 6/9/02 12:48 PM Eastern by a_Turk

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've 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 (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works
That's nobody's business but the Turks

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
posted on 6/9/02 12:59 PM Eastern by CounterCounterCulture

To: a_Turk
Great article, a_Turk. Made me homesick for Istanbul.
If I didn't have such an irrational fear of flying (long before 9/11), I'd be on my way.
posted on 6/9/02 12:59 PM Eastern by RottiBiz

To: a_Turk
Well, even the New York Times has to get SOMETHING right, occasionally! LOL! You do a good job promoting tourism in Turkey, A_Turk. Makes me long to visit, for sure!
posted on 6/9/02 1:07 PM Eastern by WaterDragon

To: a_Turk
Hi Friend. Thanks for the ping. I LOVE Turkish Rugs. Just the picture of all those rugs, was breathtaking in and of itself.
I must say though.. they said the prices are reduced? Better than ever? But gosh, I can find hotels a LOT cheaper than that right here in the USA. And, I'm still concerned about "attitudes" towards Americans. I'd love to see some honest debate on that. When we can see true change towards Americans.. I would love to visit there!! But I have to say.. the prices will need to come WAY Down first!!
It used to truly be a bargain to buy turkish rugs. But looking at those prices.. that doesn't appear to be so any longer either. Just a humble opinion friend. I'd love to visit there one day.. just for the rich history and things to learn and see. But time will need to pass and things will need to change before that happens.
Thanks for the ping :o)
posted on 6/9/02 1:15 PM Eastern by Vets_Husband_and_Wife

To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife
Hi there!
On the prices: Check with www.tursantravel.com They gave me the best rates on non-stop airfare ($400 less than elsewhere). They'll be able to help you with tour packages also.. The author quotes mainly top-notch room and board.
On attitudes: There's no targeting of Americans there. We're allied, and everybody knows it. We love our F16's, and the Navy ships we get from the US. Every once in a while there's a fly in the ointment: like the USSR years.. Lots of anti-US commie interference designed to weaken NATO back then. Or an accident like the Saratoga scorching a Turkish destroyer and killing everyone aboard..
Tourists of all sorts are appreciated in Turkey, as long as they don't act like snobs. Nobody will care where you are from.
Just control your apprehension, and go soldier!-)
posted on 6/9/02 1:28 PM Eastern by a_Turk

To: a_Turk
I'm on for the Korfez restaurant.
posted on 6/9/02 2:13 PM Eastern by Bahbah

To: Bahbah
Mmmm, Yum!
posted on 6/9/02 2:15 PM Eastern by a_Turk

To: a_Turk
Hi, a-_Turk. Thanks for swell travel article, makes me want to go back to Istanbul. A day on the Bosporus is just what I need. We hired a small boat at the dock in Istanbul, just for the two of us though it seated 20, and the pilot allowed me to "drive," which I did with great glee. The Turks are incredibly friendly and have a wonderful sense of hospitality, not to mention sense of humor.
posted on 6/9/02 2:46 PM Eastern by PoisedWoman

[a_Turk]

ping!

[Nogbad]

The Tarihi Nevizade Meyhaneleri is a collection of traditional restaurants
serving mezes, fish, meat and raki, the national drink.
They are off Istiklal, behind the Cicek Pasaj

Stay out of the restaurants in Cicek Pasaj,
they are dreadful tourist traps.

The best restaurant in Istanbul
for traditional Turkish food
which tourists seldom find,
is Haci Abdullah,
and it is amazingly cheap.

Haci Abdullah

[Bahbah]

Good idea. You are the only Turk I know and I have a good impression.

[CounterCounterCulture]

LOL! Thanks for keeping my silly little ditty.

Good luck on thread #2

[another cricket]

Never been to Turkey but it sounds lovely. I'll have to see if I can get there.

It's back to Tanzania and Kenya this year but I might have next year free. I generally travel in December any special events to see in that month? Is that considered off-season so things are a little cheaper or not?

a.cricket

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

If all the people in Turkey are like you.. Americans will be treated very well indeed when visiting there! Thanks so much for your help.

One day my husband and I will travel. For now, it is work work work.. and get ready to retire in 4 years. Lets all just pray the world is a safe place then, and we, the World community, can start to enjoy each others countries and cultures. We long for the opportunity to see the world. To meet people like YOU!!!

Thanks again friend..and keep on pinging me, cause we LOVE your posts. You not only enlighten, but you're so interesting. We just love you!! God Bless!!

[VOA]

, I'm still concerned about "attitudes" towards Americans. I'd love to see some
honest debate on that. When we can see true change towards Americans..
I would love to visit there!!

As a "flyover country" American who lived most of his first 35 years in Oklahoma, but got
to travel a bit and am now an "ex-patriate" in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia,
I can comment about Turkey a bit. (being honest and constructive, I pray)
In the interest of full disclosure, I've not been to Turkey, but picked up a bit
about the place by reading and knowing Americans who've lived there.

Turkey is a country that's trying HARD to be a full partner in the developed world.
I'd call it the "Rodney Dangerfield" of nations...works hard, just doesn't get
the level of respect it deserves.

For many of us in the USA, the first picture of Turkey that comes to mind is "Midnight Express",
the deaths of many Christians during WWI, and a Muslim country.

Unfortunately, our history books (often in public school) didn't give the
fuller, up-to-date picture.

Even as recently as 4 years ago when my boss and his family went for a two-week
holiday in Turkey, I held my breath and said "Do you think that's a smart thing to do?"
They went, had a great time, and enlightened me about the place.

It's a Muslim country. But it's not the "Muslim" place like the Wahabbist Saudia Arabia.
It has some historical baggage that hasn't been resolved in the most graceful manner yet...
while the USA has the same situation over HISTORICAL treatment of blacks, Native Americans
and other minorities.

But I get the feeling that Turkey is honestly, strenuously trying to line up
on the side of "the good guys". Membership in NATO for decades, cooperation agreements
that allow Israeli Air Force pilots to kick in their afterburners over the spacious
Turkish airspace, buying Boeing and other American hardware...these and more
pieces of evidence merit consideration.

I recently saw a PBS special about the Muslim world; one segment dealt with how the
Turkish authorities are trying to hold the line with Islamic extremist elements in their
country.


Heck, their peace-keeping soldiers are now on the ground with our grunts and those
from the U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany (and other places, I suppose) in Afghanistan.

Overall, I, as a conservative guy say "Give Turkey a fair chance, help and encourage them."

[aristotleman]

Ah, that we were there!

[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.

[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!

[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.