Hello everybody!
I have great pleasure to spend 10 days in Turkey - Antalya this month.
Since it is very short time for everything I was planning, I would be realy grateful for any suggestion and advice as:
- what to see,
- what to do,
- how to act,
- what to buy (meaning: books, CD's, something specific for Turkey, etc.)
- anything else you think that could help.
Thanks in advance.
Slavica

Well Slavica, I hope you have a wonderful time in Antalya. You could buy some Ismail YK CD's, you must buy some Nazar 'Turkish Eyes' for your friends. Leather goods are great value too, well compared to England they are, I don't know about Serbia!

If you haven't got a Redhouse Turk/English dictionary you could buy that there. I got mine while I was on holiday and it was one tenth of the price it would have been in England, but again, I don't know how much they would cost in Serbia.

If its a holiday resort you are going then you can certainly wear and behave in whatever is your normal way. When I go to Ayvalik, where there are no English people,I wear more modest clothes and am definitely more demure in my behaviour and speech than when at home or in a tourist resort for English people, that's mainly because I am in a small town living with a Turkish family, who are very conscious of what their neighbours and community would think of their guests. I am very careful not to do or say anything that would embarrass Yakup or his mother.

In Icmeler and Marmaris for example it is quite acceptable to sunbathe topless, but if you did it in Sarimsakli (near Ayvalik)it would be shocking. You'll just have to see what everyone else does.

But there! I'm giving you an English non-muslim perspective. In Sarimsakli lots of Serbs go for their holidays and so this is different from those places that English people go. Actually, I am being no help at all am I? hehehe

Well, you will have a wonderful time i am sure. Insallah!


İyi yolculuklar. (Have a nice trip)
Allaha emanet ol. (God shall protect you)

Of course you helped me alot, Lyndie!
Everything I have to do is to come into the first music shop and say:
Lüften, daha iyi Ismail YK CD almak istiyorum!
(This is maybe not completely correct, but I hope they will understand me)
I believe in your musical taste and I'm sure I will like music you recomended me. Last time I was in Antalya friends recomended me CDs of Asena and Harem – I was completely disapointed – these are all instrumentals, without words!
You also remind me to buy some books useful for learnig of Turkish. It could be some grammar textbook, since I already have Turkish-Serbian sözlük. I don't think about how much it could cost, because I can't find this kind of literature home.
Leather, silver, gold, clothes – I don't think about it this year.
All my friends already have Nazar Boncuğu received from me, which doesn't mean that they couldn't receive some more this year. Never too much luck!
As about behaving, I concieve your advices and experience absolutely useful. I don't see big difference between English and Serbian non-muslim perspective, if you act in accordance with local customs.
Thanks again for your post!
And what's happening with hosts? Doesn't they have something to recommend to foreigner in their country?

Happy to be of some assistant Slavic, and i agree with you, where are our Turkish friends, surely they have some advice to give.

I bought myself a course book when I was there. The title is "A Practical Course in Turkish" by Yrd. Doc. Dr. Mufit Yildirimalp and it's published by DORUK. It's a book with 22 units taking u from beginner to pre- or intermediate level i think. Each unit consists of dialogues and a text, grammatical explanation and exercises, and a glossary. Anyway, there are CDs to go with the course so it helps to learn pronunciation. I bought it in Istanbul and there it cost 50YTL.

Oh, thank you very much, Daydreamer, this is exactly what I needed. It is much better if you already know what are you looking for.
To be honest, I expected some good advice from you, Daydreamer, since you've just came back from Turkey.
Thank alot!

My pleasure Slavica
I can add that I also bought a book with short anegdotes about people living in the Black Sea region. Short - in order not to get discouraged while translating. And...a Cosmopolitan....I know, I know but...Im a woman after all

Antalya is amazing, personally, I loved the harbour. City lights at night, me in a cafe overlooking the harbour, watching planes taking off from the airport...definitely something to remember...

I hope u'll have a lot of fun there!

Thanks again, Daydreamer.
I'm going to buy some good book with Turkish poetry, some anthology, with translation. Didn' notice something like that (since I see you went to bookshops)?
For so nice description of Antalya by night, you have the most beatiful picture when I get back!

O my gosh slavica i envy you right(not really) cause my boyfriend happens to live in Antalya and i can't go there right now but maybe one day.... i hope you have a really really really good time down there (for me exspecially) takes alots and alots of picturessss... for me....hehheehhe

Gypsy Lady

OK Gypsy
I will say HI to your boyfriend and take the MOST beautiful pictures for you.
Wish you to visit Antalya very soon...

Hello, everybody!
I'm back after wonnnnnnnnnderful 10 days in Turkey.
I've seen alot, I met all my friends and made alot of new friendships. I'm definitely in love with Turkey.
So, since I've just came home, I'm pretty tired and confused, but next days I will try to find the way to share some of my expressions with you.
Just for beginning, I want to inform you that my Turkish friends gave me Turkish name - Sibel (since the pronouncing of my real name is pretty difficult for them), which I like very much and use it whenever I can.
But, I'm curious - does it name have some meaning?

P.S. I missed you all!

The name Sibel has several meanings in Turkish. One of those meanings is "powerful queen". Another meaning of this name is wheat spike.

ali

Slavica - welcome back
we're waiting for details of ur trip and pix!

Welcome back Slavica!!! I am sure you had a great time there . Turkey and Turkish people are soooo nice. Did you taste their lovely food as well? Looking forward to have the details about the trip
Georgia

hiiii Sibel
welcome back
we are verry happy that u came back next to us in the TC.
waiting as much as it takes for the photos.

So 'Sibel' - thanks to Ali for providing the meaning of 'Sibel' - which do you prefer to be thought of a 'powerful queen' or a 'wheat spike' hahahheheh - Sorry, I couldn't resist teasing you wheaty! Sibel is very nice whatever the meaning.

Hello my darling sestrichka,
Welcome back! I am glad we are here again. Maybe Sibel is wonderful name but for me you are "sestrichka i moy angel".
I know you could feel everything and happy to have you in my life.
With love Bliss

Thank you, everyone!
Thanks, Ali, for providing the meaning(s) of my new name, but... maybe you could find some more? Because I don't think that either of two mentioned fits me. Yes, they threated me there like a queen, but I didn't feel so powerful. As about "wheat spike", it could only have some connection with my ellegant figure!Hahaha... Maybe you should try with something simbolizing "kindness" and "tenderness"?
Daydreamer, your suggestions were precious for me. I bought Turkish Grammar for Foreign Students, instead of a book with short anegdotes I bought Antology of Turkish Love Poetry, and, instead of a Cosmopolitan I bought... well... silver ring with turquoise. I'm sure you'll understand me.
And your description of Antaya is, to be honest, as beautiful as Antalya itself. Hope you'll like photos I'm going to upload.
Kalimera, Georgia. Evharisto poli! Yes, Turkish people are as nice and hospitable as Greek people, which I know wery well and like so much! Did I taste their food? Of course I did. I thought I will die eating baklava and kadaif!
Bună, Mara, mulţumésc, my beautiful naighbour. I know how impatient you are, but you have to wait a little bit more, until I fix my impressions and prepare pics for uploading, ok?
Well, Lyndie, you have to know that I spent LAST 10 euro of my money to buy CD of your beloved Ismail YK in Antalya airport duty freeshop! But I forgive you.
Honestly. You can call me the Quinn or Wheat spike, everything is allowed to you. Because your essays, your posts, your suggestions were all the time on my mind, and this helped me to concentrate my attention and to understand the greatest wealth of Turkey – their people. Friendships I made during my visit are something which can't be payed with anything and I keep it in my heart like greatest treasure. Thanks, Lyndie.
My beloved Bliss, my sister which faith forget to give me, you suffering casted the only shadow to sunny days of my vacation. Thank you for trying to spare me from common suffering, for trying not to ruin my instant happines. I'm also happy to have you in my life, and I know that it will last a long, long time.
Thanks again to everyone. I'll try to fulfill your expectations.
Love,
Slavica/Sibel