Turkey????
 

My husband and I would like opinions from fellow travelers about the wisdom of leaving on Oct. 4th for a trip to Turkey. Thank you

read the posting just below on Istanbul trip. Sorry my advice would be no.( But I am a bit of a coward)I loved it when we were there in the summer but would not dream about going now.

Suggestion: Read before you post. Someone asked the same question at 4:27 am on the 16th. The headline is Istanbul go or not or something like that. Go check it out. Than again get a map out of the world and look to see where Turkey is located. Who are their neighbors?

Thanks for your suggestions...Philip thanks for pointing out all the obvious things I overlooked. I'm not thinking too clearly.

The US has not publicly accepted any offers of international aid. <BR> <BR>But for some, it is a chance to repay past American kindness. <BR> <BR>Turkish search and rescue group AKUT assembled a team to assist US relief efforts, its chairman Nasuh Mahruki says. <BR> <BR>The United States donated millions of dollars in aid to Turkey after deadly earthquakes in 1999 killed at least 18,000 people. AKUT played a key role in efforts to rescue people from collapsed buildings. <BR> <BR>The Turkish people owe a great debt to the American people and our country prays for the thousands caught up in this outrageous attack.

Well, we are planning to go to Turkey on October 5th and these are my thoughts: <BR> <BR>The situation we have is not going to get better--if anything it will get worse. If we postponed our trip for say, 7 months, this problem is still going to exist and it could have escalated by then. We want to be prudent, but at the same time, we can't stop living either. Turkey is a very diverse country and is not as "fundamental" Islamic as other countries. They also are in full support of America and I believe they are part of the European Union. This war is not going to be primarily "military." It's going to be an intellectual war that will take years. Unless there are more hi-jackings or there is a possibility we won't meet our connections, we will go. Of course, alot can change in a week or two!!

Tell me which idiot is going to feel comfortable that close to hatred. I've been to Turkey before and I loved it. If someone gave me a free trip to Turkey I would pass it on to my enemy. Yeah the majority of the Turkey citizens will treat you with kindness but do you really want to take the chance with your life. Is it the money situation?

If there is hatred, it was there long before this attack--in fact, it was there when you were there, my friend. Do you really feel safe in America? I sure don't.

Belle <BR>YOu are obviously braver than I am!My main worry is not what the Turkish govt would do necessarily but what might happen to that country. Also there ARE Bin Laden sympathisers there. <BR>Yes I enjoyed it in the summer,but no way would take any risks now, after all would it be worth it just for a holiday?

belle <BR> <BR>Just 2 minor clarifications. <BR>1) Turkey is not European Union member <BR>2) Turkey is a member of NATO.

Thanks for the clarification. I think they are trying to become a part of the European Union. :) <BR> <BR>I guess my point is that there are Bin Laden supporters all over the world and he has been blowing up things long before this tragedy occurred. We have been changed forever. We can worry and say, "What if this happens or what if that happens." But life is too short. We take a risk every day we walk out of our doors. Unless we get into a Middle Eastern War (which may happen a few years down the road, but I don't see it happening by Oct. 4th) I don't see how it is any less safe to go to Turkey now then it was a month ago. And if you postpone now, you will need to be prepared to face this same dilemma 7 months from now, because the situation will be the same if not worse! But I guess I am playing devil's advocate. :) <BR>If you do travel, be safe and enjoy!

The Turkish generally do seem to like Americans, although there will always be exceptions. The Turkish authorities are also used to dealing with terrorist threats, albeit primarily from the Kurdish population, and I hear that Kurdish terrorism is down (b/c the Kurdish people have been squelched?). I think you should be safe over there and, as one person already pointed out, it could get much worse a few months from now after our country attacks Afghanistan and public sentiment amongst Middle Eastern Muslims turns against the US. My suggestion is to do as we did in Turkey recently -- tell everyone (except those who see your passport) that you're from Canada. We found that people generally love or hate Americans, but they were stumped when we said we were Canadian. No one seemed to have much of an opinion of Canada.

Just an update...still thinking about it but leaning to not going..have had several conversations with highly educated people on the politics of Turkey and the response has been 100% negative about going now..this is sobering..not to mention reaction of adult children who are really frightened about the possiblity of our still going..not only frightened but question our ability to make intelligent decisions

Reenie: <BR>Difficult decision to make but I do think you are making the right one.Go there when all this is past( ar at least returning to some semblance of normality). It IS a great place to go in normal times. is there somewhere else that you're thinking of going to?

Reenie: I would normally say "go". But, we don't, yet, know what our American response will be, nor when it will occur. To be in Turkey while the response is under way would be foolhardy to say the least. I would pass at this time.

As a Muslim nation AND a member of NATO, Turkey is in a uniquely vulnerable position for getting caught up in this conflict. <BR> <BR>http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/bus...00/1548660.stm

TURKEY?!!YOU MUST Be CRAAAZY!!! ----------No I'm just kidding, have a nice trip.

Reenie-- <BR> <BR>Good luck in whatever decision you make. If you like, I will let you all know how it was after we get back. My parents and I had a long family discussion about this and we have decided to go for it!!

I forgot to ask--are you traveling with a tour group or on your own? I think that makes a big difference.

We will(would) be on a sail boat along the Agean and Med...with hikes inland with a group of about 12 people. I suppose this doesn't make a difference on the safety issue..I wonder if one can ever stop looking over his or her shoulder if there..does that add up to a vacation?

Well, if you don't think you can enjoy your vacation, then don't go. I for one am looking forward to getting away. I really think being with a tour group makes a difference, because if there is trouble, they are going to know what to do, where to go etc. Our guide is from Turkey so to me, that will be re-assuring. :)

We are supposed to leave for Istanbul on 9/28 on a Globus Tour. We do not feel at all comfortable being in that part of the world now. No one we have talked with can believe we are being "forced to go" or lose money. We are in process of trying to get a refund, but the Company is playing hard ball. We will continue to try. <BR> <BR>Anyone have suggestions? <BR>

Do you have travel insurance? With ours, you can cancel and get a 100% refund if there was a terrorist attack in the city you are traveling to 30 days or less before you arrive. A woman strapped herself with bombs and blew herself up on September 10th in Istanbul which they qualify as a terrorist attack. That was going to be our way out if we decided not to go. The only way Globus/Cosmos is going to cancel is if war broke out in Turkey and that most likely is not going to happen by September 28th. Although our tour company told us that if our tour had been in September, they would have let us cancel and reschedule without a penalty. However, we are going in October, so that wouldn't apply. Good luck!

Travelers have absolutely nothing to worry about! I am actually a Canadian citizen working here in Istanbul at the Carlton Hotel for about a year. I feel safer here than I would in Canada or the United States right now. The Turks have absolutely nothing to do with what is going on with America or the Middle East. We are completely on Americas side! <BR> <BR> It is true that many Turkish are muslim, but everyone also knows that the turks are not like any other muslims. In Turkey there are many diffent people from different lands believing in many different religions!! These people have the right to believe and behave in any manner they feel is appropriate for themselves. No one here forces a person to be muslim nor do they look down on you for believing in a different religion. If you look back at your history books you will see that even in the Ottoman times our people had no problems with people of other religious beliefs, the most they ever did was TAX them! <BR> <BR> What has happened in this last 2 weeks is definately not something that any muslim can condone. One of the most sacred beliefs of Islam is non - violence. What has happened is a grave injustice and has absolutely nothing to do with Turkey. We send our love and support to America. They have been very kind to us in our time of need, and now it is Turkey's turn to show America just how much we appreciate their support. <BR> <BR> I am a million miles from home right now but I feel safe. My sisters called me from Canada and said thank God you are there and not here right now!! <BR> <BR> Once you get here you will see for your self. In your whole life time may never meet people as friendly, warm hearted, caring and understanding as the Turkish people. This is something that all of our customers say upon leaving-- that above all the people made the trip a wonderful experience! <BR> <BR> If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to ask! <BR> <BR>Miss. Selay Mustafa <BR>Carlton Hotel <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR>

Dear Reenie, <BR>In the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attack, I would like to express my deepest sorrow . <BR>I hope it will comfort you to know that in difficult times like these, the entire world is holding in its collective thoughts those who are still missing and those who were hurt. We are all praying for their rescue and speedy recovery. Despite that damage, your country is not only strong <BR> enough to survive, but to thrive. <BR> <BR>I have my own travel agent in the south east of Turkey and I am proud of my home town, Gaziantep,which is the oldest living settlement on earth, where the garden of Eden meets the silk road. <BR>Please do not hesitate to come to Turkey, which is safer than USA now. <BR>Turkey is a very modern, happy and a similing country.We have less criminal issues then any country in Europe. <BR>You are kindly requested to visit our web site as well. (www.arsan.com.tr) <BR>Still if you hesitate to come, please keep in mind that all the hotels and airlines here in Turkey desided not to charge any no show for the bookings as this case is a forse major.But still we are looking forward to host you in this part of Turkey.If you find time please do come to this part of Anatolia and be my guests here for a weekend. <BR>Hope to see you in the oldest living settlement on earth . Gaziantep/Turkey... and all the best... <BR>

To Ayse Nur Arun...thank you for a very touching,warm, generous and heartfelt response. It is, in great part, for your very attitude I wanted to visit Turkey. To Miss. Selay Mustafa, thank you also for your generosity of spirit. I only would ask you not to include the statement about historically there not being problems, even in Ottoman times, with people of other religious beliefs, with the most ever done, to tax them. I am descended from Turkish Armenians and I believe the world is well aware of the wholescale persecution of Armenians in former times.Every Armenian from Turkey has stories to tell, but we of this generation want to learn from the past and not hold those alive now responsible.I believe in my heart the attitude has changed in the country and I hear nothing about the wonderful warm Turkish people today. I wanted to put my feet on the soil from which I am descended, but I also don't want to dishonor the memory of my ancestors by not replying to your statement. These are new times and I also want to honor these times.

Just reread my posting and I have to make an immediate correction...I meant to say I have heard nothing but reports of the warm Turkish people...not "I have heard nothing about warm Turkish people. " please excuse the typo

We also cancelled a trip to Turkey leaving 9/22. It was a tour, and I'm not sure about how much we'll lose, but when I think about almost 6,000 people losing their lives, losing some money isn't really important. I also have travel insurance,but I'm not sure if this is covered. Maybe because we live so close to New York and so many people here have died, we can't imagine going on a pleasure trip at this time.

See, this is exactly why I can't WAIT to visit Turkey--I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the country and people who live there!