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[CinNY]

I'm a New Yorker badly in need of a vacation. I have plans to travel to Turkey with my 4-year-old son and boyfriend. Turkey's proximity to Lebanon is beginning to worry me. There is now a high anti-American sentiment amont Arab countries and in Europe. Will I be safe? Should I be concerned? Then there is the added feeling of guilt in enjoying myself knowing that bombs are dropping at people located a few hours away.

My main reason for going to Turkey is to join a dive boat which is mining the seas around Turkey for archeological artifacts and wrecks. I'm sort of an adventure seeker. I also took my son to the Philippines last summer amid high travel advisories from the US, Australian, and UK and stayed at a resort where American tourists were kidnapped three years prior. The island was beautiful and it was the most amazing vacation I ever had.

Anyway, looking for comments and feedback. If it were just me travelling, I wouldn't even be posting. But I'm bringing my son with me.

[uncle_davros]

Don't believe everything you read. You will be safe and you will have a good time

[radsolv]

CinNY from Art Rom... in Yonkers, NY.

Let me put it this way. How safe do you feel crossing Park Avenue during rush hour even if the light is with you?

About the guilt. As the skeptic's Bible says: Guilt is not an entirely useless emotion but too often it is inflicted on those who need it least and withheld from those where it might do the most good. [Think Bush, Trump, Ohlmert.] Your denying yourself and your son of what sounds like a great dive experience will do absolutely nothing to relieve the sufferings of the hapless Lebanese or Palestinians. A contribution to Hezbollah might help. But that would probably result in the US INS taking away your US passport or maybe incarceration at Guantanamo.

As far as the anti-American feelings, write to Carmella at 'whereshegoes' and ask her for Honorary Canadian status. Then when a Turkish Moslem asks you where you are from you can say well NYC but I'm an Honorary Canadian.

Anyway it was my experience a few years ago that the Arabs were quite generous in blaming only our government and not its citizens for their troubles.

Now the Turkish government is closely allied to the USA and to Israel. That does not mean the people are also. And of course recent events have resonated the hatred.

In sum, do GO!! And stay away from TV.

<A REF=http://www.travelpod.com/members/radsolv TARGET=NEW> radsolv log

[uncle_davros]

Listen to your fellow American CiNNY. He is not wrong

[Jessica_CDN]

I'd say you're about as safe there as anywhere else....lots of places are very anti-American these days...seems like a bandwagon everyone wants to jump on!

Anyway....I'd say go for it.

However, be aware that the PKK are still active in the South and Eastern portion of the country. They've been pretty quiet as of late, but have been known to kidnap westerners and execute terrorist attacks. Just a bit of situational awareness. Forewarned if forearmed.

[uncle_davros]

However, be aware that the PKK are still active in the South and Eastern portion of the country. They've been pretty quiet as of late, but have been known to kidnap westerners and execute terrorist attacks. Just a bit of situational awareness. Forewarned if forearmed.

Jessica, have you actually been to Turkey? If you have, it would have only been to the touristy West where most the backpackers hang

Having been there, and enjoyed the company of many Kurds, it is propaganda that you read and believe which keeps people like you away from the good side of Turkey, where it remains much better for people like Lucinate and myself

[lucinate]

I'd say you're about as safe there as anywhere else....lots of places are very anti-American these days...seems like a bandwagon everyone wants to jump on!

Anyway....I'd say go for it.

However, be aware that the PKK are still active in the South and Eastern portion of the country. They've been pretty quiet as of late, but have been known to kidnap westerners and execute terrorist attacks. Just a bit of situational awareness. Forewarned if forearmed.

Most places we travelled where Americans thought they would be unwelcome, we found this was the complete opposite. They all know that it's the US government that is to blame and not the people. You may encounter the odd person that has a difference of opinion but you'd probably cop more crap from westeners than the locals.

On the PKK front.

There has been no action from the PKK for a long time. We were in southern and eastern Turkey last year and the only trouble we had was from pick-pocketer wannabes in Diyarbakir. It's well known for this and the police watch tourists to make sure they're safe. Not a PKK'er in sight.

The Kurds are some of the nicest people I've met and even though they support the PKK, even they will tell you that nothing has happened for ages.

To put yourself at peace, sure check out the situation but get it from sources other than the government recommended travel advisory sites. As you yourself have already experienced, they can be a little paranoid.

Not only is southern and eastern Turkey beautiful, it's much cheaper than the west and there aren't as many tourists. Go and see for yourself.

[lucky]

I say go for it... Turkey is a wonderful place and despite what the news seems to show, Turkey should be more than fine.

Turkey is a big country and Istanbul is far from Lebanon.

That being said, it's a personal decision which you need to feel comfortable with.

[Jessica_CDN]

Jessica, have you actually been to Turkey? If you have, it would have only been to the touristy West where most the backpackers hang

Having been there, and enjoyed the company of many Kurds, it is propaganda that you read and believe which keeps people like you away from the good side of Turkey, where it remains much better for people like Lucinate and myself

I think it's a good idea to be skeptical of what you read - but not EVERYTHING is propaganda. I've been to Turkey, but it was several years ago, and I would never rely on the old excuse "i've been there, so I know all about it".

I don't think my advice was over the top - just a bit of information for a fellow traveller. I study conflict for a living and try to provide reasonable advice to people who ask - instead of blanket statements.

[uncle_davros]

So, did you actually venture over to the East or to the South, or did you stay in the Western side like the majority of tourists who go to Turkey?

[Jessica_CDN]

Just thought I'd update this forum:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5293070.stm

Guess all I have to add is that just 'cause they haven't been that active recently doesn't mean things will remain that way.

Hope everyone travelling there is safe!

[uncle_davros]

And if I was going to Turkey tomorrow, I would still go.

Just goes to show, that the East is far safer than either Istanbul or the touristy area that is Marmaris