So Why Turkey?
By DianneN
@DianneN (247184)
United States
January 12, 2016 7:29am CST
My husband and I love to travel. We enjoy history, different cultures, foods, and shopping.
We spent 13 days in Turkey on a wonderful tour from Istanbul, along the west coast to the south, and back to Istanbul through central Turkey.
We kept postponing our trip every time there was a bombing or catastrophe. When it seemed calm enough for us, we booked it.
It is a beautiful country with peaceful Muslims. Too bad their neighbors to the east cause so much trouble to this self sufficient (except for Russian gas pipelines) country, which is a member of NATO and is in the process of joining the European Union.
Too bad there was a suicide bomber in the square close to the Blue Mosque that killed 10 people and injured tourists from other countries today.
So why Turkey?
31 people like this
30 responses
@Marilynda1225 (83157)
• United States
12 Jan 16
As much as I'd like to travel the world, there are plenty of places here in the US that I'd like to see first
4 people like this
@much2say (56226)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Jan 16
@Marilynda1225 Me too - I haven't even covered all of CA yet (we are in Southern CA).
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
We have seen most cities and states. I used to travel with my parents a lot as a child and teen. My dad drove everywhere, including cross country. I only have two more continents to go. We often return to our favorite cities and countries around the world. The history, art, cultures, food, and nice people are worth every penny.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
12 Jan 16
I have always wanted to visit Turkey, I am not sure that we ever will now.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@DianneN I think until there is some containment of ISIS we will stay put in the US.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@BelleStarr They are here, too! Ugh.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154130)
• Canada
12 Jan 16
My husband did visit Turkey in his early 20's. Why Turkey? like @AbbyGreenhill wrote "Why anywhere?
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
I would love to see the world, but with all this mess in the world today we have decided to stay in the US. There is plenty to see here we haven't seen yet.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
I know there are terrorists here, too. It scares me. We have been to most states including Hawaii, several times. We may go to Alaska this summer with friends, since we haven't been there. My husband is more open minded about traveling in this mess, but I make the final decision. As usual. :)
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Jan 16
@DianneN I hear that I always make the decisions as well. I have been to Alaska and Hawaii and many of the other states, but still much to see. I will be content with that.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56226)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Jan 16
I remember when you were planning for this trip (back in the B days) - glad you were finally able to go! Sounds like it was a beautiful trip! It seems scary just to go anywhere these days - my goodness even schools and malls - any public place is scary, especially in very populated cities.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
13 Jan 16
@much2say We postponed it once due to skirmishes and bombings. I guess we snuck in and out at the right time. The Paris bombings occurred the day before we were due to come home. We had 3 checkpoints to go through at the airport, and once at the gate, were not allowed to leave it. I was thankful it was so secure, and more thankful to get to home sweet home.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
12 Jan 16
i'm glad you finally made. do you plan your own itinerary and explore on your own?
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
12 Jan 16
@DianneN did you like the food? what souvenirs did you buy?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@hereandthere The food was exceptional. We enjoyed a lot of it. I collect t-shirts wherever we travel, so came home with many from a variety of towns and cities. I bought some shawls, spices, perfumes, chocolates, and lots of gifts. Their hand loomed silk carpets are gorgeous!!!!
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
12 Jan 16
Is it cheap to vacation there?
I would be going to Ireland or England myself.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@DianneN Yes Harrods is a beautiful shop!
I hope you get back to both soon.
Yes airfare is not cheap as it used to be anywhere it seems.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
The Turkish lira bought us lots of goodies, but like anything else in life, you get what you pay for. The most expensive place was Istanbul and the fancy meals we had there. Of course, the airfare wasn't cheap, and their 5 star hotels were pretty much as expected. Some were only 4 stars, but most were good and very clean. We loved the cave hotel. We have been to Ireland and absolutely loved it. We will return. We have been to England many times and will return, because my husband loves it the most, and I need some more perfume that only Harrod's sells. Lol!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@TiarasOceanView London is one place I am staying away from now. A friend's son lives there and is coming to visit. He will pick up that perfume for me, and I'll pay him back. Hope you get to visit Ireland soon. I felt very safe there, and I know you will love it.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51599)
• Canada
12 Jan 16
It is a shame that these bombings are making so many people afraid to travel anywhere very far away. I have concerns about them, but if you are going to go, you can be taken out right at home from a catastrophe. When your time comes, there is no stopping it and I think that if you keep your senses about you it is safe to travel. I hope so anyways, our son leaves next week for Poland.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51599)
• Canada
12 Jan 16
@DianneN We just hung up the phone from talking to Jonathon. They are both really looking forward to their trip, he just bought some new warm winter boots and some other things to take. They are bringing Ellie here a week from tomorrow. He said that they have about a foot of snow up there, and we asked if he's enjoying his new snow blower, but he hasn't taken it out of the box yet. Sure isn't like his father, he had his out of the box minutes after it was out of the trunk when we bought our first one. But he works from home so he doesn't have the urgency as we do to clear the driveway, but Dad reminded him that legally he has to be responsible for keeping his property maintained, clear and safe.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
@Juliaacv We told our son to take our new snowblower to his place, because we don't need it anymore. We also get plowed. He won't take it. He is an exercise nut and prefers to use the snow shovel we bought him. My hubby is going to drop it off when we return, so he can at least have it. How does your son's GF get in and out of the driveway?
It is cold in Europe this time of year. Glad he is preparing.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
12 Jan 16
That's how my hubby feels about travel. I refuse to go until I think it's safe, but one can never know. We traveled to Spain shortly after the train station was bombed. It was right near our hotel. We also traveled between the bombings and problems in Cairo. I hope our luck doesn't run out. Somehow, I believe your son will be safe in Poland. It certainly wasn't during WWII.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121759)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jan 16
As far as Muslim countries go, Turkey is a relatively wealthy, developed country. I wonder if the Muslims there are more peaceful because of the economic development and economic success of their country? Meaning, if they were a poor, repressed country like their neighbors to the east, would there be much more radicalism among the population? I'm not suggesting this would be the case, but in my opinion the more economically developed a country is, the more stable the population. So, how can we help develop all these other poor countries and give those people some type of hope for the future?
2 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
13 Jan 16
Turkey is a very wealthy country. The problem lies with the number of refugees they allowed in, some of them ISIS cells. They do have many problems with their nasty neighbors to the east. I found the people very welcoming and very hard workers, grateful for tourism. I don't know if we can help develop all these other poor countries. They have to be willing to help themselves, have democratic governments, become educated, blah, blah.... The UN and the US have always been world helpers. Others should join in.
2 people like this
@Rick1950 (1575)
• Lima, Peru
12 Jan 16
Yes, why Turkey, why Paris, why another place on the world? This is a weird war. Specialists try to explain this mess and everyone gives a different answer. Who knows what is really happening in the world? I think there is a lack of mercy and a great greed for money.
@LeaPea2417 (37388)
• Toccoa, Georgia
23 Jan 16
What cities in Turkey were on your tour and what was your favorite city you visited?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
24 Jan 16
Too many to list. We began and ended in Istanbul and made a full circle going to the west, down to the south coast, and up through central Turkey. Loved Istanbul, Ismir, Cappadocia, etc., and only a couple of great museums in Ankarra. Wonderful history!
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
12 Jan 16
@DianneN I envy you,my friend. Got no money to even visit Las Vegas!
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
12 Jan 16
The state of the world does make it fearful sometimes to consider traveling!
1 person likes this
@monalica (113)
• New Delhi, India
13 Jan 16
Most of the people in their life likes tourism but it is not so easy now a days as there are terrorism spread all over the world so the tourist are not safe but if we are courageous we should do whatwe want and we will be unite against the terrorism and finish it.
1 person likes this
