What are some things an American should know before visiting Istanbul?

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Aycora Bayduv

Ignore the rude answers here...

Turkish people are extremely friendly & hospitable. It's good to know a few basic Turkish words & phrases, but it is not essential as Istanbul is a tourist city. If you go there in the spring or summer, it will be swarming with tourists.

Personally, I would spend at least a week in Istanbul, because it is a very big city & you can't see everything in just a few days. I'd also venture outside of the touristy areas/attractions. Istanbul is a very diverse, unique, contradictory city. You will see all sorts of people there, from all walks of life, so completely different from one another. In Istanbul, you will see a goth walking next to a group of women in halter tops & mini skirts, standing next to women covering their hair. Not far away, you might see a few women covering their face. In between them, there is a blue-haired teenager, a transvestite & a gay couple.

Even in conservative parts of Turkey, I used to see teenagers hiding in the corners behind butcher shops & kissing. Turkey is a wonderfully contradictory country, often in a magical way.

Julie K

To Alexander the Idiot!
There are no camels in Istanbul,
No flying carpets,
No snake charmers,
And we don't speak arabic!
What country are you on about,asswipe?

Å‹oÑThÎµÑÅ‹

I agree with Aycora B....

*she said "very well"....
*I have nothing to add....
*she deserves 10 points....

Edit: ignore the answerer above,"Alexander the Fyromian" he/she is a TROLL

Power Flower

That it's OK to speak below 1000 decibels

ireneseanoshea

I fully support the views of reply by Aycora B,but the most important thing for you, is I believe to take US dollars(not travellers cheques) as the Turks tend to save dollars or sterling or gold and you can get a great exchange rate.far better than that indicated in the press.

istanbul bogazinda yandi gonlum

beautiful place to be maybe know some turkish words so you know your way around dont be cared there are a lot of tourists there that are just like you

atrak

Aycora deserve 10 for my opinion, she gave good examples ; cool short brief.

c.irvin614

i recommend learning basic turkish words, they arent hard to learn.
do not rent a car just take the buses are taxis because the road system is difficult for people who are not familiar
must go to the grand bazaar!
try many different types of food
go to the blue mosque and aya sofya and dolmabahce palace.
keep your belongings close to you because there are pick pockets in turkey
have a great time! :)

aycora explained it very well.

and alexander the idiot down there doesnt know what he's talking about and probably lives under a rock. how come he hasnt been kicked off yet??

Totally Blunt

That you should make a good plan, because the city is too large and you're bound to miss things if not pre-prepared. And prefer layered clothing, i.e. thin blouse, a cardigan and a water proof jacket wouldn't me amiss, because weather is changeable.

Oh, you mean against possible negative feelings... Well, don't know what to say about that. Millions of tourists from various countries don't face any negative reactions. As long as you don't praise Bush for invading... erm, SAVING Iraq, noone will look at you sideways.

ikkus

Don't be afraid of being an American, Turks are very kind loving and hospitable. Try to learn some basic Turkish words, because not many speak English, more German than anything else.

Get a book on Istanbul and plan ahead. It is a very beautiful and ancient city, with much to see if you know where to look.

Santi X

hijab
food to camels
dictionary to speak arab
oil to the flying carpets
and
flutes to dance with the dancer snakes and the dancer camels

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