Trip Notes on Turkey
Sep 27th, 2005, 06:23 AM
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Trip Notes on Turkey
Just returned from Istanbul,Cappadocia.
The terraine is beautiful and the sites are breathtaking and we tried to laugh our way through Turkey with all the sleaze and hassling that goes on in the streets but in the end the only really good thing I have to say is that Esbelli Evi in Cappadocia was marvelous and the owner, Suha Ersoz, was excellent. It's too bad more Turkish people are not like him.
Turkish Airlines will not be seeing us, hopefully, ever again!
The terraine is beautiful and the sites are breathtaking and we tried to laugh our way through Turkey with all the sleaze and hassling that goes on in the streets but in the end the only really good thing I have to say is that Esbelli Evi in Cappadocia was marvelous and the owner, Suha Ersoz, was excellent. It's too bad more Turkish people are not like him.
Turkish Airlines will not be seeing us, hopefully, ever again!
Sep 27th, 2005, 09:28 AM
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well let me respond for the collective of Turkish people since you think you know a nation from one trip.
brow wipe and "wwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhesssssssssh glad you won't be back any time soon".
brow wipe and "wwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhesssssssssh glad you won't be back any time soon".
Sep 27th, 2005, 01:26 PM
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Yes, the carpet touts do bother you on the streets in Sultanahmet, but that is because it is the "tourist" section of Istanbul. I was never harassed in Beyoglu, Taksim, or Orkatoy. You can't judge Istanbul if you never leave the tourist venues. Just like Florida is not all about Disney World, Istanbul is not all about Sultanahmet.
I must say, I had a very good experience with Turkish Airlines. The air hostesses were very professional, and they were constantly serving snacks and beverages. I can't say that for United, British Airways, Delta, or USAir.
You have to take the good with the bad, sweetie. That is what travel is all about. Be a traveler, not a tourist.
Cheers,
John G.
I must say, I had a very good experience with Turkish Airlines. The air hostesses were very professional, and they were constantly serving snacks and beverages. I can't say that for United, British Airways, Delta, or USAir.
You have to take the good with the bad, sweetie. That is what travel is all about. Be a traveler, not a tourist.
Cheers,
John G.
Sep 27th, 2005, 02:31 PM
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Whoa! Having been to all parts of Turkey several times, I cannot agree with you on "the sleaze, etc"
Yes, Suha is a gentle soul, and a lovely young man...we thoroughly enjoy staying with him in Urgup...the Esbelli Evi is a place we constantly recommend to our friends and others who are going to Turkey....BUT, when you're in a country where people have to hustle as touts to make a living for their families, either accept it or avoid the more touristy areas as one of the posters has put it. We have found the Turkish people to be of good humor and most welcoming. As for the carpet touts and others of that ilk, I, for one, put on my best smile and sometimes ask of they'd like to buy my $49 watch. Invariably, they laugh and know they've been matched by an old Westerner. Then I just say.."Not interested." and walk away. It's realy quite easy to do....Give Turkey another chance..it's a wonderful land full of fine folks.
Yes, Suha is a gentle soul, and a lovely young man...we thoroughly enjoy staying with him in Urgup...the Esbelli Evi is a place we constantly recommend to our friends and others who are going to Turkey....BUT, when you're in a country where people have to hustle as touts to make a living for their families, either accept it or avoid the more touristy areas as one of the posters has put it. We have found the Turkish people to be of good humor and most welcoming. As for the carpet touts and others of that ilk, I, for one, put on my best smile and sometimes ask of they'd like to buy my $49 watch. Invariably, they laugh and know they've been matched by an old Westerner. Then I just say.."Not interested." and walk away. It's realy quite easy to do....Give Turkey another chance..it's a wonderful land full of fine folks.
Sep 27th, 2005, 04:23 PM
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Sep 28th, 2005, 07:54 AM
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I like Suha.... So your generalisation does not work ! Sorry to hear that only good thing in Turkey was Esbelli Evi and Suha. Yes I agree his is genuine and gentle and good host and Esbelli is a unique place but I belive its a bit unfare to my country and its people.
I time to time have ennoyanses with Turkish Airlines but again I have travelled with Swissair, British , Air France etc. If not the 1st Turkish airlines could be second best within my experienced airlines.
Hope you give in this case not to Turkey but yourself another chance to enjoy Turkey in the future.
Happy Travelling,
Murat
I time to time have ennoyanses with Turkish Airlines but again I have travelled with Swissair, British , Air France etc. If not the 1st Turkish airlines could be second best within my experienced airlines.
Hope you give in this case not to Turkey but yourself another chance to enjoy Turkey in the future.
Happy Travelling,
Murat
Sep 28th, 2005, 10:12 AM
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We were in Turkey in April and found the people to be warm and hospitable wherever we went. As friendly as any people we have ever encountered in our travels.
We took three flights on Turkish Airlines and they were all on time with very professional staff and hostesses. Even being about one hour each, food was always provided and it is better than what one gets on american flights nowdays.
We also stayed at Esbelli Evi and would recommend it to anyone traveling to Capadoccia. A very relaxed warm atmosphere, with other interesting travelers to talk with and share experiences.
I really do not what sleaze you are talking about. We must have run into fewer carpet salesman and touts than others, but we did spend only a few minutes in the grand bazaar. It seemed too much like a shopping mall to us. We much preferred the spice market. Just walking around that glorious city is so much fun. I hope others haven't rethought their plans of traveling to Turkey because of this post.
We took three flights on Turkish Airlines and they were all on time with very professional staff and hostesses. Even being about one hour each, food was always provided and it is better than what one gets on american flights nowdays.
We also stayed at Esbelli Evi and would recommend it to anyone traveling to Capadoccia. A very relaxed warm atmosphere, with other interesting travelers to talk with and share experiences.
I really do not what sleaze you are talking about. We must have run into fewer carpet salesman and touts than others, but we did spend only a few minutes in the grand bazaar. It seemed too much like a shopping mall to us. We much preferred the spice market. Just walking around that glorious city is so much fun. I hope others haven't rethought their plans of traveling to Turkey because of this post.
Sep 28th, 2005, 12:37 PM
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"You have to take the good with the bad, sweetie."
And thank heavens there are people like MxSmrs who are there to help us tell the difference. Every person's experience is a data point that carries as much weight as any other. And that includes negative views opinion. Especially negative opinions, since so many people are in denial whwen they travel.
" That is what travel is all about."
No, that's stupid. Travel, like everything else, is about minimizing the bad and getting the most good.
And thank heavens there are people like MxSmrs who are there to help us tell the difference. Every person's experience is a data point that carries as much weight as any other. And that includes negative views opinion. Especially negative opinions, since so many people are in denial whwen they travel.
" That is what travel is all about."
No, that's stupid. Travel, like everything else, is about minimizing the bad and getting the most good.
Sep 28th, 2005, 01:46 PM
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We just returned yesterday from 5 days in Istanbul and 4 in Kusadasi. My husband and I both came back feeling that this was one of the best trips we have ever taken in terms of overall satisfaction.
We too, flew on Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Izmir and return, and found the 1 hour flight to be very pleasant. We were even pleasantly surprised that they offered a nice box lunch. Try getting that on a 1 hour US domestic flight!
Yes, the carpet touts are everywhere, but the best response seemed to be a simple "No, thanks", or " I just bought 4 rugs..."
We were repeatedly impressed that most people seemed eager to help and sometimes, rather than just pointing in the direction of the place we were seeking, would take time to walk us to our requested location.
I'm already immersed in catching up with work, but will post a trip report soon. I loved visiting Turkey, and am looking forward to sharing the highlights of our trip. Thanks, Fodorites, for all the planning help.
We too, flew on Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Izmir and return, and found the 1 hour flight to be very pleasant. We were even pleasantly surprised that they offered a nice box lunch. Try getting that on a 1 hour US domestic flight!
Yes, the carpet touts are everywhere, but the best response seemed to be a simple "No, thanks", or " I just bought 4 rugs..."
We were repeatedly impressed that most people seemed eager to help and sometimes, rather than just pointing in the direction of the place we were seeking, would take time to walk us to our requested location.
I'm already immersed in catching up with work, but will post a trip report soon. I loved visiting Turkey, and am looking forward to sharing the highlights of our trip. Thanks, Fodorites, for all the planning help.
Dec 9th, 2005, 12:23 PM
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another example of Turkish friendliness to traveling strangers.... I've driven 1000's of miles around Turkey on several exciting trips..deep into some of the more remote parts...for example, in the rarely-visited "lake district", I was totally lost within the confines of colorful Huyuk, a town near Egridir and the beautiful lakes...we stopped and tried to ask a man and woman,with three adorable kids for directions to get out of town. The man spoke no English or , but when I showed him the map of the area pointing to Egridir, he gestured that he would take us to the road out of the town...leaving his family behind he rode in the back seat, pointing the way,touching my shoulder for left and right, and voila! there was the highway we were looking for. I offered to take him back to his family, and he pointed to a cafe on the side of the road, and somehow got across that his wife would be meeting him there. I wonder, still? Probably too much of a hospitable gentleman to make me drive back, correctly figuring I would never find the way out again. There were other gestures of goodwill we found throughout the amazing country...same in Morocco,Chile, Russia and many other of the less-visited destinations on other trips.
Stu T.
Stu T.
Dec 13th, 2005, 08:05 AM
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We spent time travelling from Istanbul all the way down the coast to the beaches. To make a generalization, the Turkish people were the friendliest people I have ever met. I like to mingle with the locals of a country and found it particularly enjoyable in Turkey. One merchant in Istanbul and I had such a long involved friendly discussion that at the end, he grabbed me and kissed both my cheeks and pleaded for me and my wife to come to his home that night for dinner. We were on our honeymoon and had dinner plans that night but were extremely honored. That's not to mention the other 30 people we left with a big hug and promise to visit again.
Anywhere you go you will find people that are not happy to see you... particularly when you're a tourist. Others will try to steal from you. It happens in Turkey and in New York City. A bad experience can sometimes make an entire country seem dangerous, unfriendly or even sleazy. It's unfortunate. In an open forum like this, however, I would refrain from calling an entire people (particularly in these sensitive times) 'sleazy.' But I would also not attack someone for allowing a bad experience or experiences sour their opinions on a place.
If this person had spent the week at the Istanbul Hilton however...all bets are off.
Anywhere you go you will find people that are not happy to see you... particularly when you're a tourist. Others will try to steal from you. It happens in Turkey and in New York City. A bad experience can sometimes make an entire country seem dangerous, unfriendly or even sleazy. It's unfortunate. In an open forum like this, however, I would refrain from calling an entire people (particularly in these sensitive times) 'sleazy.' But I would also not attack someone for allowing a bad experience or experiences sour their opinions on a place.
If this person had spent the week at the Istanbul Hilton however...all bets are off.
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