Increased security measures in Turkish tourist areas
ISTANBUL – In tourist areas of Turkey extra security measures are being taken against attacks by Kurdish separatist movement PKK, according to several Turkish media on Friday. That is one of the outcomes of deliberations between the Turkish government and the army on Thursday. Exactly which measures will be taken has not been revealed.
The security measures are being intensified after …
Dutch in Turkey go home by bus
ISTANBUL – A handful of Dutch at the airport in Turkey’s main city Istanbul are getting ready for their trip home. By bus, for around thirty hours to Düsseldorf in Germany, and from there they will take a train. They didn’t get any help from KLM or their travel agent. Diana van Raampt, a woman in her fifties from Amsterdam: …
A 100 hours of living in Istanbul
Of course, highlights like Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi palace are definitely worth a visit, but after that of course you want to get away from the crowds of tourists. Strolling through city parks where no tourists come, to a traditional drink and dinner room, and to a neighbourhood hamam instead of to an impersonal touristy one. …
Istanbul starts one year Cultural Capital of Europe
ISTANBUL – Starting tomorrow Istanbul will officially be Cultural Capital of Europe for one year. On seven locations in the city events are planned for Saturday night, for example a big fireworks display in the presence of President Abdullah Gül and a concert by popular singer Tarkan on Taksim, the central square of the city.
Besides Istanbul, Essen (Ruhr Region, Germany) …
Istanbul taxi drivers protest against illegal drivers
ISTANBUL – Eighteen thousand legal taxis and at least twenty-five thousand illegal ones: Istanbul taxi drivers protested today against their unlicensed colleagues. Their most important demand was more severe punishments for illegal drivers. However, many Instanbul residents think that the licensed cabbies should first try a bit of introspection.
It’s the first time that taxi drivers have protested so massively against …
Istanbul cleans up while waiting for new rain
ISTANBUL – At a flooded clothes store a large group of women and children are scrambling in the mud: they are collecting clothes from it, push them into big plastic bags and take them away in small wheelbarrows. Around the corner the streets are full of wet muddy furniture, curtains and domestic appliances, the whole day people have been shovelling …
When she puts one foot on the grass, she already feels it, says Şerife Bayraktar. ‘The park in Eyüp is not just another park”, she says. “There’s a spiritual atmosphere here. I live quite far away from here, but it’s worth the trip.”
Şerife and her husband Ali and teenage son Osman …
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Turkey and the EU: the negotiations about access might not go so smoothly, and probably only in about ten or fifteen years will Turkey be part of the EU. And then of course, many Europeans fear, hordes of Turks will come to Europe to find work. In reality the Turkish economy is growing, the country is rapidly developing, …
The old Istanbul city wall dates from the fifth century and protected the city for almost a thousand years: it served as a defensive structure till 1453. Since then it has beencrumbling down and has never been restored to its old glory. Which doesn’t mean a walk along the wall – about 6.5 kilometres long – is not worthwhile!…
Istanbul is not a place to stay
The African community in Istanbul has a high turnover: most of the Africans only stay a few months. Then they leave for Europe, the US or Canada. Their time in Istanbul consists mainly of waiting.Makiyo Ahmed (25) is counting the days. Twentynine since she arrived in Istanbul. She doesn’t want to talk too much about the trip, but about the …
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