Comment from Maria on “Glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world” (Jan. 7): “Yes, in some ways this article resembles some of my experiences. By spending time in a country you get a sense of the culture and the modes of operation. Turkey seems Westernized and modern in many ways, but things are not always as they appear. I agree that Turkey is a wonderful place to visit and the hospitality of the people is unparallel to any other country but, from my experience as a foreigner, Turks seem to know me only by what they see on the television and approach me with all the fixed presuppositions that I can’t imagine. What an experience!”
Comment from Cathy Martin on “Dealing with homesickness” (Jan. 14): “We are Canadians that have been residing here in Turkey for the past three years. If you are planning to live overseas for an extended period of time, I suggest working to make a sense of home for yourself wherever you are. I think this is helpful for women especially. We need that sense of ‘home’ in order to relax and be truly content. This has helped me immensely in settling here in Turkey, amongst strangers, with little to no friends and unfamiliar surroundings. Sure, we still deal with loneliness from time to time but Turkey has become home for me.”
Comment from Karen on “Modern Silk Road” (Jan. 22): “I think the traffic in İstanbul rivals that of Los Angeles. LA has been unable to solve its traffic problem, and I think putting a third bridge over the Bosporus is not the answer either. Because as you stated, it would create more housing developments and worse traffic problems. Maybe something like the Chunnel between London and Paris...”
Comments on “Being a foreigner” (Feb. 9): “On reading your article I could not but smile. I [have been] living in Turkey for 10 years and must say things have not changed so much over the 30 years. Banks and the PTT now have numbers for queuing plus beautiful seating, but while at the counter at least two or three people will insist on standing beside one. At traffic lights, red still means go. Appointments or arranging a certain time is a nightmare; it is always ‘morning’ or ‘afternoon,’ which to my frustration could be anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. As for weddings or any functions, men to the left and women to the right, where is romance in that. But still I love the country.” From Catherine Kodal.
“Dear Charlotte: I’ve been coming to the country for 40 years. I’ve always found the entire country and people fascinating. I’ve had some rather strange experiences through the years but the good has always overcome the difficult. Turkey has changed so much in the last 10 years. I remember waiting to fly home, standing in front of customs, no lines, at a time when the flights were being cancelled. Customs shut down and so the people began climbing over the customs walls so as not to miss their planes. I stood there not knowing what ever happened. Customs finally opened up and we went through.” From Judy Ayyıldız, Virginia.
Comments from readers on “Egypt in crisis: Middle East hope” (Feb. 7): “I hope Middle Eastern nations will experience unity, wealth and security.” From: Hakan
“Wow! How informative. I can now burn all my books.” From T. Ryde
A comment from Babeouf on “Democracy movement on the rise” (Feb. 11): “The Egyptian revolution has already had an effect in Europe. And if the revolution is successful it will have a still greater effect. This and the EU’s general policy of following the American political line accounts for its disgraceful political stand. It is no longer able to support democratic political systems abroad. The decline of the West is accelerating.”
Keep your comments coming.
