|
|
|
|
|
Convert any currency into Turkish New Lira Search Within Travelers Digest
|
Back To Travelers Digest
Istanbul Page Travelers Digest Review of Istanbul We left Thailand in the first part of May 2003, flew into Bahrain for a few days and then onto Istanbul. It is the largest city in Turkey and is quite diverse and erotically beautiful. The legends and long past of this country has been written between wars, empires, rebuilding, occupation and the eternal struggle to discover its inner self and proper place among other nations. Istanbul is the mass center of the many scars that this country has suffered and yet shines bright as a result of its peoples willingness to seek a better life for itself and its millions of fellow countrymen. I respect these people and retain high admiration for their long struggle. Travelers Digest toured and filmed for several weeks in the north of Turkey. The area and its people are unique. Their historic past and their struggle to meet the future are classic. I found that the men are strong, stolid and very decent. At first encounter they seemed distant and foreboding, but upon closer contact and after a little time they soon became extremely friendly. In fact we actually made many long term friends and I will miss them. They have excruciating work habits and labor long hours for little money, but their complaints are silent. The Turkish women are shy and less likely to make any eye contact. Turkey is a large country that stretches from the Black Sea in the north to the Mediterranean in the south. It borders Iraq, Syria, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran. It safeguards it territory with diligence while still maintaining strong democratic values. Its hope for admittance into the European Union remains at this time a distant dream, but with economical stimulus, more advancement in the field of common technology and improving their human rights issues, they can fulfill that dream of European unity. I found that most Turkish people don't commonly share the same beliefs and radical emotions as other Islamic regions in this sector of the world, but can be, at times charged with bias beliefs and concepts about the western culture. I would continue to add that they are extremely willing to adapt and seek out growth while trying to maintain their individuality. As you travel through or around Turkey you will see much of their fascinating history unfold. The tourist areas are, of course, more open, more developed and more willing to tolerate other cultures and lifestyles. In other areas not so much tolerance is shown toward outrageous dress or behavior and you must respect these people and their land. It is the human right to travel and I encourage people to do just that, while at the same time you must always remember when away from home what may be normal behavior in your country, may be unacceptable where you are visiting. We continuously explored Istanbul for many days. Its flowing architecture elaborated in its large majestic temples, mosques and underground castles was breathtaking. Venturing into the sunny side or its shady side, we never felt singled out for hard stares or rude rambling. I was quite often stared at because of the many tattoos I have obtained over the many years of my travels. It seems that there are very few people in Turkey that have a tattoo. I didn't feel that they disapproved, only that they were curious and many even stopped to admire them. The time to leave Istanbul came quickly and a new journey through the heart of Turkey was beginning. Review written by the touring editor; Mike Smith in June 2003 This editorial in its entirety is the sole property of Travelers Digest
and may not be distributed, sold or copied without prior written permission of Travelers
Digest and/or its licensed representatives.
Advertise with Travelers Digest! |
