Please, assure me that Turkey is safe...

Old Feb 20th, 2013, 09:29 AM
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Please, assure me that Turkey is safe...

My fiance and I will be visiting Istanbul for 7 days in October for one of the stops on our honeymoon and we could not be more excited. I have wanted to visit Turkey ever since studying a bit of Turkish architecture in college and through all of my research I have heard that Turkey is generally a very safe destination. However, both of our families have reservations about the trip after hearing about the recent murder of the New York woman who was visiting Istanbul, as well as the bombing of the American Embassy in Ankara.

As with travel to any city, I think being aware of your surroundings and using common sense goes a long way. However they are reacting as if we are surely going to be kidnapped and murdered! Ridiculous, I know. I chalk it up to them being unfamiliar with the country and its people, but what can ya do? I'm hoping that some of you that live there or have been there recently can attest to the safety of this area and put these worried minds at ease. Please, help!
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 09:38 AM
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From what I've read the woman in question was staying in the wrong part of town. It was also very unusual. When I saw your title I thought you were enquiring about the Syrian border, it didn't occur to me that anyone would have qualms about Istanbul.
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 09:40 AM
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I think you are being over worried, frankly. Women are murdered, raped and assaulted every single day in Canada, United States, Australia etc ,, would you consider those "safe" countries to visit? Why do people freak out about things that happen in other countries when the exact same things happen where they live!!

I can suggest if you wish to hear from some locals and expats that live in Turkey you check out the Turkey forums on tripadvisor.com that will likely reassure you.
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 09:41 AM
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Turkey is safe. The worst thing I experienced is being scammed by a taxi but it's my own fault for not being more aware. Taxi scams can happen anywhere.

I see you're from Baltimore. Perhaps your family does not read the Baltimore Sun so I googled kidnappings in Baltimore and came up with this information on crime in Maryland. You might want to share this with your family. I'm sure I can find lots more on Baltimore crime, after all, this city does not have a great reputation.

I think I'd rather take my chances in Istanbul than in Baltimore.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/keyword/kidnapping
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 09:44 AM
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Yeah, I have managed to convince them that we will be far enough from Syria. That was their initial worry. Of course, the woman's murder is undoubtedly related to the issues with Syria, according to my future mother-in-law anyway
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 09:51 AM
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@adrienne - Haha! Exactly! They are well aware of the crimes in our Balt/Washington area, but for whatever reason the worries persist.

@justineparis - I am not really worried in the least, its just our parents who are expressing the concern. I think it is ludicrous to allow the murder of one woman to even partially affect someone's opinion of an entire country!
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 09:54 AM
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I understand, as my family can be the same way--not everyone is as fortunate as many of us on this forum to have traveled widely. I just reiterate the common sense that murders happen every day, where you are going is far removed, and anyway both problems (crime, terrorism) can easily happen anywhere in the US. There are not state dept warnings advising you not to go. I finish with "statistically, riding in a car is the most dangerous thing any of us do every day, and you're not telling me to not ride in a car." Then just smile and ignore them and have a great trip!
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 10:03 AM
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@yorkshire - thanks!! I work for the Department of Defense and have to get "permission" to travel internationally. I think my mother assumes that the federal govt has just forgotten to add Turkey to the high risk list Ultimately it will come down to exactly what you said - smile and ignore. But 8 months of listening to everyone trying to deter us is going to be exhausting!!
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 10:20 AM
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We visited Turkey with our 7 year old son in October. We spent time in Istanbul, Ephesus, Antakya and Reyhanli. We even dipped into Syria for a bit. We never felt unsafe (a little worried at the border crossing, but that was it). Our time at the border was spent doing some work for a charity so we were usually accompanied by translators and guides. But we were often on our own and still felt safe.

Use common sense. Be observant of your surroundings.

Make copies of your itineraries for them with contact details. Register with the U.S. State dept.

Then relax and enjoy your holiday!
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 01:36 PM
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When I read the news or listen to the radio I am sure you are much safer in Turkey than you are in the US. But as in the states take the logical precautions.
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 03:32 PM
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I assure you, Turkey is safe. Tell your relatives please never come to DC.
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 04:12 PM
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It's safe.

There is, of course, a cult of assassins -- turbaned, cloaked, men who swarm up columns and porticos in the middle of the night to murder their victims, but they do not usually trouble tourists.
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 04:18 PM
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Fra_Diavolo - lol!
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 04:27 PM
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A Canadian tourist was found murdered on a hotel roof in L.A., does that mean that people shouldn't travel to California. No where is totally safe and you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That said, if you take precautions and use common sense-you will probably be okay. As a single woman I was out and about in Madrid and Seville in the late evening and felt safer than here in D.C. at night because of all the people.

I have a European penpal who is nervous about coming here to the U.S. because he's convinced most people are carrying firearms around with them. There is misinformation in all countries.
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Old Feb 20th, 2013, 04:44 PM
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>

And watch out for those whirling dervishes - those cloaks can slice you to ribbons!
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Old Feb 21st, 2013, 12:21 AM
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Do not forget the risk of running into or afoul of OC and/or his wife in Istanbul!
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Old Feb 21st, 2013, 08:15 AM
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OK, you've convinced me, we won't cancel our trip! (oh wait, it hadn't even occurred to me that we should do that )
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Old Feb 21st, 2013, 08:24 AM
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Adoc86, be sure to tell your mother-in-law to avoid Las Vegas at all costs:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...html?igoogle=1

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Old Feb 22nd, 2013, 03:18 AM
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Thanks everyone! I will relay your assurances, although I'm sure the response will be, "well you can't trust people you talk to online," haha. Its odd because my family is actually very well traveled - my parents have visited over 50 countries(and my father has been to Turkey!). This being the case I was extremely surprised by their response to our honeymoon choice. Hearing their reaction you would think they are sheltered and a bit ignorant (though the latter seems to be true in this instance).

My fiance's family has never left the country and lives in a tiny, quaint town in Iowa so I can see how their perspective might be a little foggy... Either way, we're not cancelling our trip!!

Sf7307 - hah. No matter how many times I say that people are murdered all over the US everyday it doesn't seem to matter. When Natalie Holloway went missing I was in France and my mother called me in a panic, as if Holloway's abductors were heading right for me on the French Riviera
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Old Mar 16th, 2013, 06:07 AM
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"Turkey is safe. The worst thing I experienced is being scammed by a taxi but it's my own fault for not being more aware."

Blame the victim? Comments like this are absurd and borderline sick.
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