Anthropology and Archeology for the Turkey Traveler
Mar 4th, 2018, 12:26 PM
#81
US Embassy issued a warning today for all Americans to take utmost caution in touristic areas and that the Istanbul Consulate would be closed for regular visa service, probably on the basis of some intel.
Mar 15th, 2018, 12:29 AM
#83
No change in the political scene and/or safety issues.
The Southeast is becoming popular again among the Turkish middle class possibly because they do not think they will be able to visit the area in coming years.
Istanbul weather is incredibly warm. We may expect the tulips early this year.
the first green plums appeared on the market at a price of $30/lb
The Southeast is becoming popular again among the Turkish middle class possibly because they do not think they will be able to visit the area in coming years.
Istanbul weather is incredibly warm. We may expect the tulips early this year.
the first green plums appeared on the market at a price of $30/lb
Mar 15th, 2018, 09:08 AM
#85
Annhig, the crisp green plums will come down in price last week or so of May to about 1.5/lb and stay on the market till mid July.
the later crop ill be less crispy but sweeter. Interestingly, many people eat them with small amounts of salt like my daughters. It takes the sour taste that attacks the teeth.
That is, real teeth, not implants
Turkish democracy has similarities to recent development in China but that has nothing to do with our subject here except for reminiscing on acheological ruins of historic empires
or Shelley's Ozymandias.
the later crop ill be less crispy but sweeter. Interestingly, many people eat them with small amounts of salt like my daughters. It takes the sour taste that attacks the teeth.
That is, real teeth, not implants
Turkish democracy has similarities to recent development in China but that has nothing to do with our subject here except for reminiscing on acheological ruins of historic empires
or Shelley's Ozymandias.
Mar 29th, 2018, 12:33 PM
#87
Turkey has become deeply involved in Syrian chaos.
It has invaded Northwestern Syria using a jihadist group of rebels calling it The Free Syrian Army.
This group was organized in Idlib among those jihadists allowed to leave Aleppo. Turkey had the chance to organize
this group through its duty as a peacekeeper given by Iran and russia.
Currently Turkey has governors and runs everything in Northern Idlib, Afrin and Al Bab. It boasts of having killed almost
four thousand Kurdish fighters who were formerly allied with USA in fighting ISIS in the area.
Currently, the jihadists evacuated from Gouta further South are being settled at Idlib like the ones which were kicked out of A;eppo.
Turkey does not appear to realize that these jihadists can easily infiltrate Turkey to hide among the four million refugees and cause a great deal of headache to say the least.
There have been no threats against tourists from any source but I cannot be sure that this is due to the monopolization of the media and all
news sources by the Turkish government.
The expectation among the tour operators and the hotel owners is that tourism will be picking up in Western and Southwestern Turkey.
Already Russian tourists have started arriving for Antalya beaches, considering the 14-15 Degree sea temperatures acceptably warm.
In Istanbul, Sultanahmet is just surviving, the conservative Islamist regions, Fatih and Carsamba are flourishing with Islamic tourists who flock to Beyoglu
in the day time, leaving the street to a potentially dangerous crowd at night.
My recommendations for evening and night are Nisantasi, Levent, Bebek. Unfortunately those areas are rather expensive but that is currently offset by
the loss of value of the Lira.
Today, Trump declared USA will soon withdraw from Syria and Macron stated they promised to guarantee the safety of the Kurdish YPG which Turkey considers terroris. With Iran, Russia and EU acting shifty, Saudi Arabia revealing that they have been supporting Islamists for many years as approved and requested by USA, Israel having leadership issues, Qatar trying to survive against the threats of the other Gulf countries, nobody can tell what will happen.
The Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times" has been cast and we do not know by whom!!!!!!
It has invaded Northwestern Syria using a jihadist group of rebels calling it The Free Syrian Army.
This group was organized in Idlib among those jihadists allowed to leave Aleppo. Turkey had the chance to organize
this group through its duty as a peacekeeper given by Iran and russia.
Currently Turkey has governors and runs everything in Northern Idlib, Afrin and Al Bab. It boasts of having killed almost
four thousand Kurdish fighters who were formerly allied with USA in fighting ISIS in the area.
Currently, the jihadists evacuated from Gouta further South are being settled at Idlib like the ones which were kicked out of A;eppo.
Turkey does not appear to realize that these jihadists can easily infiltrate Turkey to hide among the four million refugees and cause a great deal of headache to say the least.
There have been no threats against tourists from any source but I cannot be sure that this is due to the monopolization of the media and all
news sources by the Turkish government.
The expectation among the tour operators and the hotel owners is that tourism will be picking up in Western and Southwestern Turkey.
Already Russian tourists have started arriving for Antalya beaches, considering the 14-15 Degree sea temperatures acceptably warm.
In Istanbul, Sultanahmet is just surviving, the conservative Islamist regions, Fatih and Carsamba are flourishing with Islamic tourists who flock to Beyoglu
in the day time, leaving the street to a potentially dangerous crowd at night.
My recommendations for evening and night are Nisantasi, Levent, Bebek. Unfortunately those areas are rather expensive but that is currently offset by
the loss of value of the Lira.
Today, Trump declared USA will soon withdraw from Syria and Macron stated they promised to guarantee the safety of the Kurdish YPG which Turkey considers terroris. With Iran, Russia and EU acting shifty, Saudi Arabia revealing that they have been supporting Islamists for many years as approved and requested by USA, Israel having leadership issues, Qatar trying to survive against the threats of the other Gulf countries, nobody can tell what will happen.
The Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times" has been cast and we do not know by whom!!!!!!
Mar 29th, 2018, 12:40 PM
#88
It is indeed an interesting and worrying time to be alive, OC, particularly for those who live in or near to these hotspots of conflict. Turkey's support of those previously considered to be dangerous terrorists to assist them in their pursuit of others previously considered to be Freedom fighters would be a laughable cliche were the situation not so tragic with such far-reaching implications.
Thank you as ever for taking the trouble to update us as to the situation in your lovely land.
Thank you as ever for taking the trouble to update us as to the situation in your lovely land.
Apr 4th, 2018, 09:46 AM
#89
Tulip Days are approaching.
Istanbul municipality advertised for the "Worlds Largest Tulip Carpet" for April 11-24, 2018.
Weather is looking good.
Istanbul has been enjoying a very long safe period of about one year.
Did you know that Turkish culture and traditions treat every day as "April Fools Day?"
Istanbul municipality advertised for the "Worlds Largest Tulip Carpet" for April 11-24, 2018.
Weather is looking good.
Istanbul has been enjoying a very long safe period of about one year.
Did you know that Turkish culture and traditions treat every day as "April Fools Day?"
Apr 4th, 2018, 07:19 PM
#90
I just discovered this thread. It made me sad. In 1994 my husband and I had a lovely trip thru Turkey. We flew to Istanbul.. then to Antalya (for a $25 add on !) then rented car and drove up the coast to Bursa. Then took a hydrofoil back to Istanbul. In Bursa we were heading to the local donar kebap hot spot when we were accosted by teenagers wanting to practice there English My husband went off with the young guys and I was the object of questioning for a group of lovely young women. Probably 14 - 15 years olds. They were so young and beautiful
.. there was the "leader" ..... and there was a quiet but observant one... and a beauty...and the obviously most intelligent one....I can still see their faces. Finally one said ,...the lady wants to have her lunch, we must go And then one said.... thank you... can I give you a kiss? So she gave me a kiss on the cheek..and then the rest lined up and kissed me goodbye. I've often wondered what their lives are like today....they'd be about 40.
.. there was the "leader" ..... and there was a quiet but observant one... and a beauty...and the obviously most intelligent one....I can still see their faces. Finally one said ,...the lady wants to have her lunch, we must go And then one said.... thank you... can I give you a kiss? So she gave me a kiss on the cheek..and then the rest lined up and kissed me goodbye. I've often wondered what their lives are like today....they'd be about 40.
Apr 5th, 2018, 03:15 AM
#91
Gwendolynn,
what lovely memories.
I hope those kids have become happy adults.
The doner kebap hot spot applied for and received copyright for its name "Iskender" and the kebap, "Iskender Kebap" and is flourishing with branches and franchises, but the taste is not as good
It may also be our age.
I hope you can do a rerun.
what lovely memories.
I hope those kids have become happy adults.
The doner kebap hot spot applied for and received copyright for its name "Iskender" and the kebap, "Iskender Kebap" and is flourishing with branches and franchises, but the taste is not as good
It may also be our age.
I hope you can do a rerun.
Apr 13th, 2018, 02:01 AM
#92
April 13 Friday comes with new sentencing to some more of the academics who signed a petition to the government to care for human lives in attacking their targets in the Southeastern and destroying whole districts of five or more cities of Turkey. The government case was that these peaceniks petitioned the government but not the PKK, therefore they were supporting the PKK. The main defense that you cannot petition a terrorist organization, you can only petition your own government, fell on deaf ears and was not considered worthy. The number of academics sentenced for the standard 15 months has reached hundreds. The decision to punish them was made by the president and applied by the prosecutors and judges who came up with this figure of 15 months, sometimesdeferred for good behaviour or obeisance, although all of the over one thousand professors were fired from their universities for calling for cpmpassion and peace.
Turkey is now definitely a party , to the war in Syria, currently walking a tight rope, calling USA 'our partners' and Rusia 'our starategic friends' while invading and occupying parts of Northern Syria where Kurds had control. Turkish occupation involves a governor and all attached institutions plus the services of Turkish ministries of education, health, justice, etc.
It is interesting that two of these areas are where Assad and Russia sent the jihadi fighters and their families are those controled by Turkey. So Turkey prefers jihadis as neighbours and subjects, not considering their danger to Turkey, especially at a time when the Turkish government is fomenting racial and sectarian enemies as well as hatred of secular citizens and institutions.
Despite all of the above, it is expected that Russian tourists are increasing by 20% or more and the touts at the bazaars are now calling visitors to visit their shops and restaurants in Arabic and Russian while previously it used to be English, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek. (Germans were never consumers at shops and restaurants)
No new safety issues, However, please follow the Syrian crisis and see how Turkey ends up in the political war between the West and Russia.
Turkey is now definitely a party , to the war in Syria, currently walking a tight rope, calling USA 'our partners' and Rusia 'our starategic friends' while invading and occupying parts of Northern Syria where Kurds had control. Turkish occupation involves a governor and all attached institutions plus the services of Turkish ministries of education, health, justice, etc.
It is interesting that two of these areas are where Assad and Russia sent the jihadi fighters and their families are those controled by Turkey. So Turkey prefers jihadis as neighbours and subjects, not considering their danger to Turkey, especially at a time when the Turkish government is fomenting racial and sectarian enemies as well as hatred of secular citizens and institutions.
Despite all of the above, it is expected that Russian tourists are increasing by 20% or more and the touts at the bazaars are now calling visitors to visit their shops and restaurants in Arabic and Russian while previously it used to be English, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek. (Germans were never consumers at shops and restaurants)
No new safety issues, However, please follow the Syrian crisis and see how Turkey ends up in the political war between the West and Russia.
Apr 13th, 2018, 07:33 AM
#93
Sadly, OC, we have no alternative but to follow it as tension ratchets up between the US and Russia, at least on the surface. Though the anxiety and worse felt by those of us living in countries that seem to be supporting the US is doubtless far less than that which has been experienced for much longer by the people of Turkey, let alone the suffering people of Syria.
As for the persecution of academics who had simply asked for compassion, it seemed to me that Turkey's legal system broke down when firstly lawyers were arrested for the heinous crime of representing their clients and then the lawyers who represented those lawyers were arrested in their turn.
Stay safe, OC.
As for the persecution of academics who had simply asked for compassion, it seemed to me that Turkey's legal system broke down when firstly lawyers were arrested for the heinous crime of representing their clients and then the lawyers who represented those lawyers were arrested in their turn.
Stay safe, OC.
May 24th, 2018, 09:57 AM
#95
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An interesting article this morning in the New York Times. Erdogan's back must be against a wall. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/w...-article-click
May 24th, 2018, 01:06 PM
#97
The situation has drastically changed for the incumbent. The main opposition candidate appears to be getting more and more support from unexpected groups of the population.
He turned out to be a very good speaker, appearing to be both intelligent and friendly and funny and strong.
The current president appears to be very worried about the outcome of the June 24 elections. His campaign speeches and promises are just repetitions of previous ones and he does not seem to speak from the heart.
My view is that the economy is much more significant than faith, belief or ideology. The president could not pull another rabbit from his hat. It is now too late for him to rebound.
Watch for the second liberation of the people of Turkey on June 25..
However, there are some rumors that the president has possible plans to cancel the elections through hook or crook if he cannot cheat his way to a crooked win.
He turned out to be a very good speaker, appearing to be both intelligent and friendly and funny and strong.
The current president appears to be very worried about the outcome of the June 24 elections. His campaign speeches and promises are just repetitions of previous ones and he does not seem to speak from the heart.
My view is that the economy is much more significant than faith, belief or ideology. The president could not pull another rabbit from his hat. It is now too late for him to rebound.
Watch for the second liberation of the people of Turkey on June 25..
However, there are some rumors that the president has possible plans to cancel the elections through hook or crook if he cannot cheat his way to a crooked win.
May 24th, 2018, 02:55 PM
#99
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If it wasn't so unstable and dangerous, it would be a great time to travel to Turkey, due to the drop in the value of lira. It seems like there are deals to be found.
I surely hope the voters vote their pocketbooks and get Erdogan out of office. Down with autocratic regimes!
I surely hope the voters vote their pocketbooks and get Erdogan out of office. Down with autocratic regimes!
