First of all, I live in Istanbul so I think I am 100% certain I cannot be called a tourist? and you talking about arm work my wife had to carry our one year old up three flights of stairs she nearly missed her step, while I was carrying several bags and the pushchair.  This is 2010 public transport has been around alot longer to accomodate people who have no transport of their own.

One day have a stop to think 30 seconds how life is like for a disabled person, I certainly do and appreciate how they need to travel and get about and feel freedom myself and you do everyday.

I am soon to go to visit the U.K. and yes a tourist at that? 

Thank you Elisabeth, I know it is not possible to have access for disabled people everywhere on public transport but it being 2010 surely their should be more planning when constructing transport access.

Here in Turkey people do help and they are very caring, I have also encountered this many times

 Thank you, yes too many people do not either think or care for the other less mobilised and parents with young babies who also have to travel and have no car in their household.  I am pleased to see where you used to live had some facilities for travel for the disabled

 I have a disabled friend who lives in England, thankfully he has a car that is specially designed for car travel and there are some facilities for more travel options for disabled people, and the buses have ramps to allow other passengers (disabled and parents) to travel around.

I would think in 2010 now we could have a general thought about disabled people and parents with children when designers plan their constructions.  I am not having a moan merely trying to think of other people who have to travel on public transport.

Hello all,

           Having a baby and pushchair and bags is enough for any sort of travel but couple that with having to climb three flights of stairs on several Metro Bus stations including Mecidiyeköy and Avcılar you can be excused the slight lack of consideration for people who have to travel on the buses in Istanbul.  My wife was very upset when we arrived last weekend at Mecidiyeköy metro bus station to find no lift no escalator or any access for the disabled yet a brand new cafe had been built at this metro station.

I had to carry heavy bags and a pushchair up three flights of stairs to reach our bus, my wife carrying our baby, now one of us alone would have struggled for sure.  What about a wheelchair user no chance so as my wife says they do not travel on public transport.

Hello everyone,

                         I have to renew my visa in May 2010 and was going to travel to Kapikule and on return get my 90 day visa, I will be not far from Bulgaria and want to bring a few things back from Bulgaria without having to travel to any major cities.  Can anyone give me any help? 

Tesekkur ederim

Hello Seher,

                  We would like to come and visit you sometime,perhaps you could visit us also.  I am not sure how far away you live but we should make an arrangement to meet

Best wishes

Richard

Hi everyone,

                   Thanks alot for your replies, hope you are all well keep updating soon.  I like the new layout on T.C.

Best wishes all

Richard

Hello all,

              Hope we are all well? well news from Istanbul is that our little daughter had her operation to repair the cleft of the soft palate she had been born with on the 24th March 2010, now just over a week later she is steadily getting back to her old self. 

I teach occassional English and I am returning to the U.K. to live later this year, my wife and daughter will follow a few months after myself, so we will be leaving Istanbul which is a great shame but needs must and jobs are more regular and benefits for my young daughter are also weighing in our favour.  I will miss Istanbul especially the late shop openings and the weather of course and all my new Turkish friends.

Anyway I am on Facebook and also my wife.

Best wishes

Richard