Turkey

If you get a chance to visit during elections, do so! This is when the cities truly come to life with patriotism and local culture!

(NOTHING like the United States elections! Banners are hung EVERYWHERE and celebrations in the streets… Vans ride up and down the streets with national anthems and particular parties songs playing! Everyone truly comes to life with a passion for the country and it’s future!)

My best friend is from Turkey. She is currently studying in the United States (this is how we met) and I was finally able to visit her home country this past summer for a month and it was absolutely spectacular.

I didn’t know what to expect from the country, but now, I can’t wait to go back. The beaches are amazing, the cities are full of life and adventure, and the culture will simply take your breath away.

Luckily for me, since she is a native, communication wasn’t a problem.(My english, spanish, and italian didn’t help me a bit!) I did think that more people would speak English though… Although youths have a great grasp on the language, many older Turks did not, making it a little diffucult sometimes.. but they are very willing to work with you to make sure they understand exactly what you mean to say or need. If you are considering visiting, don’t let the language barriers hold you back!

If anyone has the opportunity to visit or live in this country, please do so!

I can’t wait to return…