Job Discussion Forums

Grendal

I wish I could post pictures.

For a mere $25 US visa surcharge, paid at customs, you can visit Turkey. I am at Gural Sapanca resort hotel and am wishing to be here forever. Today we are going out of hotel boundaries to explore local architecture and other interesting locations.

Our first night here was superb. We tried to go to bed here late but the fresh mountain air, and extra oxygen from foliage that abounds, put out our candles out at 11pm instantly. We woke up at 6:45 am sharp feeling the crisp scents of pine and cedars in our room because we left the window open all night (something we couldn�t do in Saudia). We had some Kavaklidere red wine and Doluca Chardonnay with our meals and had the leftover liquids sent to our room, of which I am sipping from as I post this morning, and watched a movie on our hotel room TV that I have stored on my Nokia N900 phone in our room (technology is a great thing when used decadently).

Our sojourn in this resort hotel will only be 4 days and three nights unfortunately. We are then going to the Aegean coast to visit family then the next stop will be south-eastern Turkey to see the ancient lands of UR where Abraham first got his calling from GOD. If you pm me and give me your email I can send pics for all who are interested in seeing the sights.

Saudia is a great place to work, and live in but there are countries around it that are even greater for holidays. So if you have an Iqametgah (Turkish) Iqamah (Saudiaish) then do think of nearby countries, after all your going to be there for another 10 months in a dustbin-like environment (must be the chardonnay that hit me, cause I usually don�t deride Saudia).

Regards

MYS aka G

mariowski · Joined: 23 Jun 2010 Posts: 18

Sounds very much like an advertisement but fair enough. Being a Turk myself, I shouldn't say much though. But as fas as I know Turkey has always been a popular spot for expats living in Saudi and other gulf countries. Likewise, Saudismust have rediscovered Turkey, especially Istanbul for the city was full of Arabs last summer.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Turkey is becoming more popular for the investment of the petrodollars earned in the Gulf. I know of at least one regular poster here on the board who made a trip to scope out the market and another good friend from the UAE purchased. (and neither are Turks)

It is a great escape from the Gulf and just a short flight...

VS

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

iraq, afghanistan, pakistan, just around the corner, not to mention my fav chilling spot: مقديشو‎

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:48 pm Post subject:

For non-readers of Arabic (or those too lazy to use Google translator):

Mogadishu, Somalia

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Turkey is becoming more Islamic by the day. I have witnessed a huge transformation in the 20 years I have been transitting the country between the Middle East and the Balkans.

The secular tradition of the Republic will soon be gone.

trapezius · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 10:39 am Post subject:

The secular tradition was more anti-religious or actually anti-Islamic than secular.

Anyway, there is always a happy middle path to follow and I hope they find it!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 11:37 am Post subject:

As long as Turkey has an army with strong generals, it will ALWAYS remain secular. It's the enduring lesson that Ataturk made sure was crystal clear...

NCTBA

Grendal · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject:

We had a flash downpour mixed with hail yesterday. All power went out. I am able to access internet today. About 10cm. of rain in 15 min. plus hail! Wow. The bottom floor of the hotel flooded and the swimming pool is out of commission until Friday.

I just bought a swimsuit too. Feels like a really long Selah now, while I wait for the pool to open.

G

post script: HAPPY CANADA DAY !!!!!!!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The pool closes for Salah ! ??????

007 · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 5:33 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 6:00 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,

"The AKP party is in a strong position, and is in the process of changing Turkey from secular country to a new identity which is not under the influence of Uncle Sam!"

You can and probably will dream on, but it's really time to wake up.

Regards,
John

jkazz7 · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Saudi Arabia

Turkey is a great country to travel in, for sure.

If you like ancient history you've got (remnants) of 2 of the ancient wonders of the world (the Mausolos at Halicarnassos and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos). Also ancient Troy and myriads of other ancient sites.

Great beaches are there, the food in Turkey is fabulous and the people are certainly hospitable.

The buses are clean and plentiful as well.

I'm looking forward to visiting there again sometime in the next few years. I haven't seen the Eastern part of the country or along the Black Sea, so those'll likely get rolled into that trip.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 6:26 am Post subject:

Kitty-cat...it's dangerous to delude oneself...merely Exhibit One...

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100701/FOREIGN/707019988/1002

Now, would such a strongly Islamic country even consider this opening to restore ties? Methinks not!

Next is Qatar and the reopening of the shuttered Israeli Trade Office...

NCTBA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The philosophy of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is not dead.