Anthropology and Archeology for the Turkey Traveler
Oct 13th, 2017, 08:45 AM
#41
They have, instead, opened the square in front of the famous square for weddings and official receptions not considering the potential damage to the delicately restored structures. What remains of the Temple of Artemis is now in a swamp.>>
OC - it must make you want to weep, sometimes.
OC - it must make you want to weep, sometimes.
Oct 14th, 2017, 02:43 AM
#42
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The plans seem to have a huge breakwater out into the sea, I was wondering how big a ship they could park there.
> What remains of the Temple of Artemis is now in a swamp.
Hasn't it always been like that? It was when I visited in '82. Probably ever since 401.
> What remains of the Temple of Artemis is now in a swamp.
Hasn't it always been like that? It was when I visited in '82. Probably ever since 401.
Oct 23rd, 2017, 08:30 PM
#43
Sometimes it feels as if the whole country is in a swamp. They have destroyed a quarter of the forests around Istanbul to build a huge new airport new bridge and the access roads and train to them.
They destroyed a large patch of woods on Middle East Technical University in Ankara to build a divided highway to who knows where.
And now I read that a seven thousand year archaeological site has been totally obliterated by another highway. This is only one of many similar mounds found all over Anatolia, many of which have been robbed by contractors building structures over them.
An interesting discovery was Roman baths in the basement of some houses in Milas and another well known secret is the Byzantine structures in the basement of a hotel at the Historic peninsula in Istanbul.
To get back to the present, the visa bans are still in effect. The available news are not trustworthy because the Turkish government will be trying to save face and present the negotiations as at least a partial win over the reprisal game.
Our US visas are up for renewal end of Spring and if the visa offices are still closed in Turkey, we may have to renew while in the US or at a visit to a neighboring country like Greece.
Touch wood, Turkey has not suffered any IS atrocity for maybe a year or more. However, the Southeast and the East are still dangerous because of the risk of finding oneself in the crossfire between security forces and whoever appears to be their target.
Also, until the paranoia has abated, the legal and the security systems views almost all foreigners traveling solo or in pairs to the Kurdish and alevite regions as "usual suspects"
They destroyed a large patch of woods on Middle East Technical University in Ankara to build a divided highway to who knows where.
And now I read that a seven thousand year archaeological site has been totally obliterated by another highway. This is only one of many similar mounds found all over Anatolia, many of which have been robbed by contractors building structures over them.
An interesting discovery was Roman baths in the basement of some houses in Milas and another well known secret is the Byzantine structures in the basement of a hotel at the Historic peninsula in Istanbul.
To get back to the present, the visa bans are still in effect. The available news are not trustworthy because the Turkish government will be trying to save face and present the negotiations as at least a partial win over the reprisal game.
Our US visas are up for renewal end of Spring and if the visa offices are still closed in Turkey, we may have to renew while in the US or at a visit to a neighboring country like Greece.
Touch wood, Turkey has not suffered any IS atrocity for maybe a year or more. However, the Southeast and the East are still dangerous because of the risk of finding oneself in the crossfire between security forces and whoever appears to be their target.
Also, until the paranoia has abated, the legal and the security systems views almost all foreigners traveling solo or in pairs to the Kurdish and alevite regions as "usual suspects"
Nov 2nd, 2017, 10:37 AM
#46
New museum planned for Iznik :
https://www.gazetejurnal.com.tr/izni...ici-70343.html
I just hope that its construction does not mean the destruction of antique structures and relics.
https://www.gazetejurnal.com.tr/izni...ici-70343.html
I just hope that its construction does not mean the destruction of antique structures and relics.
Nov 3rd, 2017, 10:22 AM
#48
Still no easing up of visa reprisals.
Sort of, "If you give me the heads of my enemies and release my friends before they pull me into the quagmire, then I will release the Americans and American consulate employees I keep hostage in my jails on drummed up charges. and even give visas to American citizens."
Sort of, "If you give me the heads of my enemies and release my friends before they pull me into the quagmire, then I will release the Americans and American consulate employees I keep hostage in my jails on drummed up charges. and even give visas to American citizens."
Nov 6th, 2017, 11:49 AM
#49
Events heated up today:
- Today, the US Embassy in Ankara released a statement saying that Turkey having provided security guarantees to American Consular personnel, the US missions will start accepting visa applications on a limited basis.
- Quite a few hours later, the Turkish Embassy in Washington release a similar statement saying that Turkey has not given any security guarantees to the United States but visa a to Americans may be eased,
I have no idea what this is leading to.
With Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in clutches uncertainty and chaos, the whole region becomes a great arena for spectators but not for the players in the field.
- Today, the US Embassy in Ankara released a statement saying that Turkey having provided security guarantees to American Consular personnel, the US missions will start accepting visa applications on a limited basis.
- Quite a few hours later, the Turkish Embassy in Washington release a similar statement saying that Turkey has not given any security guarantees to the United States but visa a to Americans may be eased,
I have no idea what this is leading to.
With Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in clutches uncertainty and chaos, the whole region becomes a great arena for spectators but not for the players in the field.
Nov 13th, 2017, 05:57 AM
#50
I did not hear any declarations by the Turkish government, but apparently Turkey has been granting visas to American citizens for a while now. Eser saw Americans flying back to the States on the same flight who had bought visas recently.
Crazy times can be contagious even when there is no contact. Germs of discontent started appearing within the supporting Islamists. This may force the others to entrench or move them to tears of regret and atonement also.
Crazy times can be contagious even when there is no contact. Germs of discontent started appearing within the supporting Islamists. This may force the others to entrench or move them to tears of regret and atonement also.
Nov 14th, 2017, 08:34 AM
#51
Hi OC! What is IST like for an American tourist to visit during Ramadan . It would be my friends and her family first trip to a Muslim country . Her 20 yr old son is a middle Eastern history major and is very interested in visiting IST. Ramadan this year is the only time they can come. What do you think? Thank you
Nov 14th, 2017, 09:40 AM
#53
hi yestravel,
during ramadan, it is life as usual re banks, shops, malls, museums.
some restaurants in the more conservative districts may stay closed till sunset, and may not serve alcoholic drinks at all.
If staying at or around Sultanahmet, you may come across these restaurants.
Restaurants on the Bosphorus and Nisantasi will all stay open and continue serving beer, wine, rakifor lunch or dinner.
taksim and beyoglu will be almost all open but may not serve alcoholic drinks during the day.
Sultanahmet will have night festivities supposedly as they had them during the Ottoman times. Very much like Christmas in Central Europe with stalls serving food and seasonal beverages, but lasting from sunset to about 4-5 AM.
They can also ask if they need more detailed info.
I will post here if there should be any concern re safety issues.
during ramadan, it is life as usual re banks, shops, malls, museums.
some restaurants in the more conservative districts may stay closed till sunset, and may not serve alcoholic drinks at all.
If staying at or around Sultanahmet, you may come across these restaurants.
Restaurants on the Bosphorus and Nisantasi will all stay open and continue serving beer, wine, rakifor lunch or dinner.
taksim and beyoglu will be almost all open but may not serve alcoholic drinks during the day.
Sultanahmet will have night festivities supposedly as they had them during the Ottoman times. Very much like Christmas in Central Europe with stalls serving food and seasonal beverages, but lasting from sunset to about 4-5 AM.
They can also ask if they need more detailed info.
I will post here if there should be any concern re safety issues.
Nov 16th, 2017, 08:07 AM
#55
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Hi OC, my friend yestravel posted about my family's interest in traveling to Istanbul in late May/early June next year. Our 20-year old son is a Middle Eastern history major and very interested in Istanbul, as are my husband and I. Could you contact me offline for questions I have about house exchanging opportunities? We travel by doing house exchanges and I'm wondering about opportunities in Istanbul. My direct email is [email protected].
Thank you!
Thank you!
Nov 16th, 2017, 08:40 PM
#56
Hi mamacat,
I will be happy to assist with your questions.
I do not know anything of house exchanges in Istanbul, but I am sure you can find out on the web. When you find some you like,, ask me whether the location is good and its access to the sites and public transport,
For some reason google did not recognize your e-mail.
If you write to this one that I use for my Amazon reviews and Fodors contacts: [email protected] then google will have to recognize you/
I will be happy to assist with your questions.
I do not know anything of house exchanges in Istanbul, but I am sure you can find out on the web. When you find some you like,, ask me whether the location is good and its access to the sites and public transport,
For some reason google did not recognize your e-mail.
If you write to this one that I use for my Amazon reviews and Fodors contacts: [email protected] then google will have to recognize you/
Nov 17th, 2017, 12:06 PM
#57
I hope I am not infringing on any copyrights by posting this from another forum:
Based on the unpublished requirement that the American visitor to Turkey can get a visa either at a Turkish consulate in a third country or at the border (possibly only some borders) if he can show that he has been at a third country for not less than three days.
Whether this procedure follows the US requirements for Turkish citizens is not clear.
"After deboardimg, I followed the signs for VISA and PASSPORT (same basic place). As you approach the long bank of immigration officers (on the left), you will peel off to the right to the visa desk. People from other countries will be using the 3 kiosks but we can't so you should go ahead and get in line. It was mercifully short for me but if it's really long, you could try jumping straight to the Special Cases desk (see next step mbelow)
I showed the visa person my passport and my boarding pass, stating "I've come from Germany". They nodded and sent me down past the Immigration kiosks to something like the Special Cases desk (~50m walk). I noticed they also sent a belligerent guy from Nigeria there and when I arrived people appeared to be in various states of upset - don't be worried. There was no formal queue or numbering system and the area is very small so I just asked out loud whether there was a line. Another American couple said no they were just sort of creating one so I struck up a conversation with them while we waited. Apparently they had e-visas they had printed out at home months ago when they bought their plane tickets. They were a little bit nervous about being sent down there but had watched a few other Americans go through and decided that the visa desk must be sending all US arrivals there first.
What happens at that desk is they screen your situation and if all is well, they give you a small slip of paper to return back to the visa desk with granting approval for the visa. The couple with the paper e-visas handed him the printout from their computer along with their passports and he gave them the slip of paper. It took 30 seconds for both of them. In my case, I handed over my passport open to the EU dates and my boarding pass and simply pointed out that I had been in the EU for almost 3 months. The guy nodded, gave me the slip of paper and sent me back to the visa desk. It took maybe one minute after I got up to the desk.
Some other Americans who also got slips seemed super agitated or freaked out and that's why I wanted to mention this part of the experience to the forum. Do not worry - expect you will have to go through this drill - and be patient because it was an extra line.
Once I got back to the visa desk, they asked me for the slip of paper, told me the cost, I paid (€25 or $30 in cash) and they gave me a 180 day multi entry visa sticker.
The final stop was the immigration desk. The officer I spoke with asked if I had a visa. I replied yes while he thumbed through my passport. He seemed surprised when he saw it and asked his colleague something in Turkish, receiving what appeared to be an affirmative answer. I have no idea what it was about and ultimately he's stamped me without even asking a single question about my visit. I wonder if he also thought Americans weren't being given visas?
Anyway it was really easy - just a bit time consuming. My bag was lonely on the carousel but hadn't been taken to the luggage office yet."
Based on the unpublished requirement that the American visitor to Turkey can get a visa either at a Turkish consulate in a third country or at the border (possibly only some borders) if he can show that he has been at a third country for not less than three days.
Whether this procedure follows the US requirements for Turkish citizens is not clear.
"After deboardimg, I followed the signs for VISA and PASSPORT (same basic place). As you approach the long bank of immigration officers (on the left), you will peel off to the right to the visa desk. People from other countries will be using the 3 kiosks but we can't so you should go ahead and get in line. It was mercifully short for me but if it's really long, you could try jumping straight to the Special Cases desk (see next step mbelow)
I showed the visa person my passport and my boarding pass, stating "I've come from Germany". They nodded and sent me down past the Immigration kiosks to something like the Special Cases desk (~50m walk). I noticed they also sent a belligerent guy from Nigeria there and when I arrived people appeared to be in various states of upset - don't be worried. There was no formal queue or numbering system and the area is very small so I just asked out loud whether there was a line. Another American couple said no they were just sort of creating one so I struck up a conversation with them while we waited. Apparently they had e-visas they had printed out at home months ago when they bought their plane tickets. They were a little bit nervous about being sent down there but had watched a few other Americans go through and decided that the visa desk must be sending all US arrivals there first.
What happens at that desk is they screen your situation and if all is well, they give you a small slip of paper to return back to the visa desk with granting approval for the visa. The couple with the paper e-visas handed him the printout from their computer along with their passports and he gave them the slip of paper. It took 30 seconds for both of them. In my case, I handed over my passport open to the EU dates and my boarding pass and simply pointed out that I had been in the EU for almost 3 months. The guy nodded, gave me the slip of paper and sent me back to the visa desk. It took maybe one minute after I got up to the desk.
Some other Americans who also got slips seemed super agitated or freaked out and that's why I wanted to mention this part of the experience to the forum. Do not worry - expect you will have to go through this drill - and be patient because it was an extra line.
Once I got back to the visa desk, they asked me for the slip of paper, told me the cost, I paid (€25 or $30 in cash) and they gave me a 180 day multi entry visa sticker.
The final stop was the immigration desk. The officer I spoke with asked if I had a visa. I replied yes while he thumbed through my passport. He seemed surprised when he saw it and asked his colleague something in Turkish, receiving what appeared to be an affirmative answer. I have no idea what it was about and ultimately he's stamped me without even asking a single question about my visit. I wonder if he also thought Americans weren't being given visas?
Anyway it was really easy - just a bit time consuming. My bag was lonely on the carousel but hadn't been taken to the luggage office yet."
Nov 22nd, 2017, 08:02 AM
#58
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As to refer on this topic, I would like to share with you guys a discovery made lately in Turkey.
A castle is discovered on the bottom of the lake, made by mysterious civilization. Experts assume it is 3000 years old!
http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-...-turkey-021726
A castle is discovered on the bottom of the lake, made by mysterious civilization. Experts assume it is 3000 years old!
http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-...-turkey-021726
Nov 22nd, 2017, 10:43 AM
#59
Ian 991, the mysterious civilization is thought to be the "Urartu"
The fortress is in lake Van, near the Iranian border. There is also an interesting somewhat restored Armenian Orthodox church on an island on the lake.
I would not visit the area solo but only as part of a tour group and definitely not before late Spring.
The fortress is in lake Van, near the Iranian border. There is also an interesting somewhat restored Armenian Orthodox church on an island on the lake.
I would not visit the area solo but only as part of a tour group and definitely not before late Spring.
Nov 22nd, 2017, 10:46 AM
#60
here's the latest state Department Travel Advisory for Turkey.
On November 7, the Government of Turkey announced resumption of limited visa services for U.S. citizens. Based on guidance provided by the Government of Turkey and air carrier companies, the U.S. Embassy currently suggests the following methods for private citizens to obtain a Turkish visa:
For personal applications, the Turkish Embassy and all Consulates in the United States are offering limited services by appointment. (See https://www.konsolosluk.gov.tr/Visa for application/appointment forms.)
All Turkish Embassies and Consulates outside of the United States are processing sticker visas for U.S. citizens physically present outside of the United States. Travelers should contact the Turkish Embassies directly to arrange appointments.
Updated Guidance (11/20/17): The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Embassy that the Government of Turkey will only allow U.S. citizens to board flights to Turkey and obtain visas upon arrival (a.k.a. ‘airport visas’ or ‘border visas’) if the U.S. citizens have valid residency permits from another country (i.e. Germany, the U.K., Greece, etc.). U.S. citizens are otherwise no longer able to obtain border/airport visas.
S. citizens already in possession of valid Turkish “sticker” or electronic visas are able to enter Turkey.
S. citizens can continue to transit international terminals in Turkey in route to onward international destinations.
United Nations laissez passer holders and U.S. citizens traveling on NATO travel orders continue to be able to enter Turkey without a visa.
U.S. citizens planning travel to Turkey who have questions regarding these regulations should contact their airline, or the closest Embassy or Consulate of Turkey.
Please be aware that the Government of Turkey makes all decisions regarding entry into or transit of Turkey and may change those policies at any time.
For further detailed information regarding Turkey and travel:
See the State Department’s travel websitefor the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Turkey’s Country Specific Information.
I am not sure if it is 100% correct when it says the American must show a third country residence permit. My understanding was that the traveler had to show evidence of having spent three days or more at a third country and arrive in turkey from that country.
If in doubt, check with Turkish airlines or even better a Turkish consulate.
On November 7, the Government of Turkey announced resumption of limited visa services for U.S. citizens. Based on guidance provided by the Government of Turkey and air carrier companies, the U.S. Embassy currently suggests the following methods for private citizens to obtain a Turkish visa:
For personal applications, the Turkish Embassy and all Consulates in the United States are offering limited services by appointment. (See https://www.konsolosluk.gov.tr/Visa for application/appointment forms.)
All Turkish Embassies and Consulates outside of the United States are processing sticker visas for U.S. citizens physically present outside of the United States. Travelers should contact the Turkish Embassies directly to arrange appointments.
Updated Guidance (11/20/17): The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Embassy that the Government of Turkey will only allow U.S. citizens to board flights to Turkey and obtain visas upon arrival (a.k.a. ‘airport visas’ or ‘border visas’) if the U.S. citizens have valid residency permits from another country (i.e. Germany, the U.K., Greece, etc.). U.S. citizens are otherwise no longer able to obtain border/airport visas.
S. citizens already in possession of valid Turkish “sticker” or electronic visas are able to enter Turkey.
S. citizens can continue to transit international terminals in Turkey in route to onward international destinations.
United Nations laissez passer holders and U.S. citizens traveling on NATO travel orders continue to be able to enter Turkey without a visa.
U.S. citizens planning travel to Turkey who have questions regarding these regulations should contact their airline, or the closest Embassy or Consulate of Turkey.
Please be aware that the Government of Turkey makes all decisions regarding entry into or transit of Turkey and may change those policies at any time.
For further detailed information regarding Turkey and travel:
See the State Department’s travel websitefor the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Turkey’s Country Specific Information.
I am not sure if it is 100% correct when it says the American must show a third country residence permit. My understanding was that the traveler had to show evidence of having spent three days or more at a third country and arrive in turkey from that country.
If in doubt, check with Turkish airlines or even better a Turkish consulate.
