Job Discussion Forums

lunamoon · Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 13

fruit and veg are cheap - well, i'm from northern europe - esp. if you find one of the weekly markets like the saturday one in besiktas...you'll soon see that supermarkets charge stupidly high prices

female teachers: modest and smart-casual

on the street in Istanbul: you will get more looks than you're used to just for being a foreign woman...even if u r wearing a duffle coat (yeah, ok, maybe because as well)

...just don't let your clothes give the impression that you have nipples (girls like a fortress-style bra here - currently fashionable to wear as tight a white t-shirt as possible to show off your also white, stream-line underwear)

What did you leave behind and wish you would have brought with you?
nothing - i went and got it

What is expensive in Turkey but inexpensive in your home country?
vanilla extract
golden syrup (well, non-existent)
museli
pork obviously
wine (it's crap...about 30ytl and above may be better - buy it on your border-run in bulgaria)
TAMPONS
'asian' food products - not many asian supermarkets yet
ginger - shop around, you should be able to pay 10ytl/kg - avoid the 25ytl
celery - eat celeriac instead
guiness
the wilder vitamin supplements
70% dark chocolate
visits to the doctor/dentist
gas heating in winter

It's obvious: if Turks use it, the price is reasonable...if it's produced in Turkey, even better.

What do you miss most?
public swimming pools esp. n winter

What do you do for entertainment?
hang out in Beyoglu at live music bars and clubs
sit on the edge of Besiktas harbour at night with supermarket beers, watch free fireworks n beautiful moon

Have you been able to travel? If so, where and was it worth it?
Yes...do a 'mavi yolculuk' - blue cruise down the west coast
North Aegean area lovely
But friends made me envious of their trips to the Black Sea and 'Far East'

blondie10 · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 40

Thanks Lunamoon,

What is celeriac?

Is it better to get a furnished or unfurnished apt? What about beds, I am used to futons in Asia? Should I box up my futon and have it shipped?

Caterinamh · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

blondie10 · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 40

Celeriac - MMMMM sounds good. It will be nice to get back to some decent fruits and veggies. I hear the food is great there. What kind of food is Turkey known for? Your favorite dish?

Thanks to everyone for your replies, I am reading other threads and some of them are very helpful. I was going to ship some boxes to myself but after reading some threads I believe I will take it with me and pay for extra luggage.