Our trip observations Western Turkey only!
- Istanbul has 12 million inhabitants (and about 20m. Satellite dishes)
- The city ıs stretched out, we drove 40+ minutes and were still in Istanbul
- Streets - are VERY CLEAN
- Ruins - lots of history in Turkey
- Greek and Roman ruins and history in Turkey, Turkey was once the eastern Roman capital.
- Turkish history starts with Ottoman Empire, they were on the steps of Wiena, Austria.
- Turkish build Trading / Rest stops along the Silk Road, Sultans.
- Cars - many in the cities not too many in the country sides
- Houses look good ın the country side (some old mud and metal huts)
- People friendly but also reserved
- Service - good but also not many smiles when being served
- Restaurants - clean prices are very reasonable
- Buses - network of buses across country
- Railroad - almost non existing
- Muslims - according to our guide 90% of country but only 15% strict
- Muslims - in the country side many cover head in the cities less and sometimes very modern clothing with head cover
- Tram system - in Istanbul very nice and clean
- Streets - very good 2, 4, 6 lanes and excellent condition. In country side some dirt roads.
- Sidewalks - good (100% improvement over Buenos Aires)
- Farmland - lots of (in Western Turkey) flat and small farmers growing corn, fıgs, oranges, olives, nuts. Also tomato's and other vegetables. some areas bananas.
- Mountains and valleys - along the coast
- Tea - very good
- Coffee - Turkish coffee something special not for every day. Many places have Nescafe!
- Starbucks - yes in city and nice to visit for a change
- Cost - can have dinner for two for US Dollar 20 and of course more
- Women - in cities very modern and pretty dressed like any place ın Europe. But once over 40 you don't see many outside or they look OLD and ???.
- Restaurants - mostly young people up to 40 years or older business men.
- Women sit outside ın Restaurants and drink Beer or other drinks - in cities.
- Raki - national drink like Pernot.
- Beer - one local beer only, Efes pretty good like Corona? About $3 for pint
- Turkey the country - a lot of history Greek and Roman until Ottoman empire.
- Tourist - most from Germany and France
- Begging - some (very little) on the streets
- Street vendors - many, some food on official looking carts, some small stuff on ground
- Cats - many, running around wild but healthy looking
- Smoking - YES everybody does it
- Water - no one drinks from faucet only bottles (30 cents .5 liter)
- National Flower - Satellite Dish, every apartment has one or two in the window or on balcony
- Slums - some on outside of city, not too bad looking (on bus ride)
- Carton collectors - many on streets collect paper and cardboard ın large carts (like Buenos Aıres)
