goin' to Istanbul!

[Cat]

After much deliberation me and my friend decided to go to Istanbul instead of Prague (see the previous threads). This was also a city on my list of 'want-to-visit', and we got a rather cheap deal. And I think the weather will be better over there!
I'm hesitant to say this on this board, but we are going to stay in a ... hotel. (please don't kick me out now )

We'll be going for five days, so I'll need to do a lot of research of places to visit in that short amount of time. I'm really looking forward to it!

[Kim]

Interesting choice-I would love to visit Istanbul as well!
And don't worry about the hotel-most of us only stay in hostels cause we can't afford the hotels!

Really looking forward to seeing your pictures when you get back, if you can scan some!

Kim

[Patrick]

Have fun Cat! I wouldn't mind seeing photos too afterwards if you don't mind.

I have some from my last trip if you want to see those Kim. I've shrunk them down to about 300x150 or something so people don't copy my large originals
members.rogers.com/traveleurope/photos.html

[Kim]

Nice shots, Patrick! I love looking at travel pictures.

Pretty soon I'll have some from Bali & Bangkok to show you guys! (2.5 weeks to go!)

Cat-when are you leaving again?

Kim

[nitsansh]

Which part of the city you're staying?

[Cat]

I'll try to scan some photo's for this board, I'll have to ask a friend to help me, I'm REAllY not good with computers Hope I'll get some nice pictures.

I'm staying about 200 metres from the Aya Sofia (hope I spelled it correctly, haven't got the brochures right now), so I think I'm quite near the most important sights. This Friday I'm going to buy a guidebook about Istanbul, so I'll know what we should visit.

I just heard story's about 'Turkish men groping women, does anyone know if this is true or if that''s just in some parts of town?
I'm not really concerned, I got me a strong male friend to travel with ;D

Cat

BTW: I'll be leaving on September 20th, I can hardly wait, didn't go away this summer because of my new job!

[nitsansh]

Yeah, your place is in the historical center of Istanbul, close to most sights from the Bizantine and Othoman eras.

Groping? What do you mean by that?
AFAIK, Turkey is a safe place for tourists. The major trouble are the sticky sellers.

[Cat]

By groping I mean your breasts being touched and things like that. A friend of mine was in a group of six women and had that experience. She said that when there's just one man in your group, things like these are less likely to happen. I know it sound crazy, but quite a few men over trhere seem to think female tourists are
'for grabs' . If I'm wrong, please correct me. (I hope I'm wrong, anyway)

I think, with my male friend and our hotel being in the centre, I won't have much trouble.

[Kim]

Having travel with and without my boyfriend, it's really amazing how much respect travelling with a man can command. Sad, actually!

In Greece, we met these two great girls from the Southern USA. We all went out one night for dinner. On the way home, us 3 girls were standing around and my boyfriend went across the street for something. Sure enough, these guys came up and were trying to chat us up. My boyfriend crossed the street and came back over and they scattered like flies.

Everyone looks at you so differently when you are travelling with a man, like you are respectable or something! I really noticed the difference in Greece. I was even called Mrs.(Boyfriends First Name Here)!

Never been to Istanbul but I will pretty much bank on it being the same kind of mentality. Maybe take a ring to slip on your wedding ring finger if needed!

Kim

[Patrick]

I guess when men see a girl with a guy we kind of figure the odds of hooking up are a tad lower

No excuse for what some guys might do though. It's good that you have a male travel companion Cat.

[Cat]

Thanks for your concern, I'm sure it will work out allright. I'll be sure to report my travel stoy on this board!

I'm looking forward to my trip (going in two weeks!)