Hello all,
I hope we are all well? I am starting to feel very much under pressure here in Turkey I will explain why and maybe somebody can offer me some good advice as I certainly would appreciate some.

I have moved to Turkey recently to be with my wife Nesrin as many members here know already. I have so far been unsuccessful in finding employment here in Turkey after many job applications and CV sumittances. I have so far only been staying on a visitors visa for 90 days and leaving the country before the 90 day expires, I am currently on my second visitors visa and have less than 81 days to remain here.

I am feeling under pressure because I have to find work here as I was planning to stay for two years and would apply for a residence permit but have two very important reasons for not obtaining one.

The first is finance I have financed myself for these so far four months and recently got married which also I financed, so my money has now become very very tight and I do not want to spend money on a residence visa as my savings have dwindled and I need money to support my wife.

The second reason is as I am not guaranteed a job just yet I cannot finance my stay here no longer than the next expiry date for my current visa which will be towards the end of October 2008. I am very worried and have even hinted to Nesrin that I may have to go back to the U.K. to work as money is of course very important. In the U.K. at least we get some help from the services and receive a benefit while we are seeking work, here in Turkey there is no help at all, as Nes says if you do not work you get nothing.

I do not usually like to discuss my circumstances but I am seeking some good advice from some of the valuable members here on what you would do in this situation? I really do not want to leave Nesrin again on her own as the time apart just does not help our situation but as the saying goes you have to go where the work is. I am starting to really feel very isolated and alone, I am applying for jobs but am not very lucky. Thanks for taking time to read and please offer your advice

Hello all,
I was very surprised to see my bank statement today and see the exchange rate for the Turkish lira has dropped even more and is worth less against the english pound so much difference infact that the exchange rate was as much as 25 lira down than the month of July. This is how much I actually lost since only last month on the amount of money I exchanged which is always 200 Lira.

I can remember when I first came to Turkey you could get nearly 2 lira 50 for your 1 English pound, now you are getting just 2 lira 12 nearly 50 kurus lost on every pound.

Does anyone else notice the slide on the Turkish lira

I have just heard this shocking news, I am currently on holiday in the U.K. and my wife is in Istanbul. I telephoned her to see if her sister was okay she lives quite near this district. She has just texted me and she is okay.

My thoughts and prayers are with all the Turkish people

I think I can now answer this related question as I am now living in Turkey and in Istanbul. The one thing that stands out about all others is friendship between Turkish people and the social aspect.

I find that most new Turkish friends I have always met are always wanting to meet up and just chat and if you do happen to break an appointment with them they are fine and do not keep mentioning it, like my friends here in the U.K.

I am slowly getting used to the food although I cannot cope with the spice side of cooking as I have a stomach complaint. I like the bus and dolmus services rarely are they much later than when specified on my experience so far anyway and very important and very convienient are the shopping opening times with most shops closing at 10.p.m. or later this is perfect for my wife who can do a little shopping when she comes home from work if she feels like it.

I am in the U.K. at the moment renewing my visa and visiting friends and family, I return next week for hopefully nearly two years.

Try using this website

http://www.freeproxies.org/

I use this in Turkey as Youtube is banned you can access youtube through this website but it is slow and you have to change proxies often

Hello all,
Although a small and minor earth tremor or earthquake this was just my second experience of a similar occurence.

At 10.30 a.m. Turkish time I felt my computer chair move and my computer was cut off, my wife phoned me to say there had been a small quake and I thought also it was. Did anyone else feel anything?

Hi everyone,
I hope I find you all well? I was adding my cv to my wifes computer and have enquired about a job working at the main airport here in Istanbul, this being Ataturk on the application form they have general positions I thought this would suit me better as my time here in Turkey is less than two years.

Has anyone had any experience of this type of work, worked at the airport? I am considering cleaning also
Best wishes