Why are you still travelling to Turkey?
Once people discover that I'm continuing to go on holiday to Turkey, I'm usually greeted by responses similar to "Erm... Why?" or "Are you crazy?" or "Do you know how dangerous it is?", and to be honest, it's really starting to get on my nerves.
As someone who has been visiting Turkey almost every year since the age of around 9, I'd say I have pretty good knowledge on the area I visit and can quite happily say I feel safer over there than I do in Manchester. Yes, I watch the news and I am 100% aware of the terrorism and bombings going on there... But a question to the people who comment on this, do you realise how big Turkey is? It takes over 24 hours to drive from one side to the other, just to put it into perspective a little.
Of course, there will always be a sense of danger, just like there is everywhere else. If you think back to the Paris bombings in November 2015, or the London bombings in 2005... They're still hugely popular tourist destinations.
The stigma surrounding travelling after all these attacks needs to be minimised. It's normal to be a little anxious and apprehensive about travelling to these places. I'm worried I'm going to have a full blown panic attack once I board the plane but it sure as heck isn't going to stop me seeing the places I want to see.
I have friends in Turkey with businesses that depend on tourism, they have to make a living somehow. Thomas Cook already pulled out hundreds of flights to Turkey due to there being a 40% drop in holidays being booked at the start of the year. The media is scaremongering more than ever which has a domino effect on people's lives, tourists included.
Obviously I'm not saying "YOU MUST GO TO TURKEY, NOW", not at all, that isn't even the point of this post. I just wanted to share my views for the people who feel so negatively about the countries that have been affected by terrorism recently. Basically all I'm saying is, you do you but live your life... Travel wherever. Make sure to be vigilant but most importantly, have the time of your life.
If you are still wary about visiting these sorts of countries, which of course I am, that's perfectly ok too. It's normal to be apprehensive. But when you put your negative opinions into someone's (my) head who is going on holiday there very soon, it's annoying. There's looking out for a friend's safety, and then there's being plain ignorant.
I've wanted to touch on this topic for quite sometime, so thank you to those who have taken the time to read it. Turkey is a country that will always be close to my heart.
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Good on you! I personally aren't a fan of turkey. I've been twice in the past, but they weren't to the best places. However, it hasn't stopped me from thinking about visiting a third time to a different part. Yes I am aware of what's happening over there, but like you say it's not happening over the whole country. There's threat everywhere. There's a high threat in London! You can't let them win and stop you living your life. The thing that worries me more is getting on a plane. I'm going away in 2 weeks too and that's the part that scares me. But as much as I stress and panic about it, I'm not going to let it stop me from going and spooling MY holiday.
ReplyDeleteLove Hannah xx
www.HannahHawes.com
Yep, absolutely. As I said, Turkey is just an example as it's a country close to my heart that has been affected! x
DeleteI loved this post! Honestly with all these bombings and attacks going, I get that people are apprehensive about their life being at risk, but whether you are in your hometown or across the world, anything can happen. Turkey is beautiful, and you do you girl, go have fun and enjoy! Be careful of course, but never let fear stop you from doing what you love.
ReplyDeleteRabiah
amourvitaa.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you lovely. I'm so excited to go to be honest, it's going to be fab! x
DeleteYou go girl! My brother is currently over there and my mums constantly seeing if he's okay haha it's just one of those things that you can't let it stop you from doing what you want to do X
ReplyDeleteLove Vicki | victoriajanex
I totally agree. x
DeleteGreat post lovely! We shouldn't be afraid to go somewhere because of something that happens in one part of the country. Plus isn't being scared to go there kind of letting the terrorists win? Great post!
ReplyDeleteElla xx
www.inellaselement.co.uk
Thank you! x
DeleteGreat post :) It's a really good point and it's been annoying me having to listen to people saying things like this when people I know have been going on holiday. Asking them if they are scared of getting on a plane with everything thats happening? It's not nice when someone is about to board a plane within the next few weeks! I'm not going to let what's been happening stop me from going to the places I've always dreamed of visiting. Of course I'm concerned but it's not going to be something that makes me not go. Thanks for writing this post :)
ReplyDeletewww.raiin-monkey.blogspot.com
Mhm absolutely haha! Your comment basically summarises the point I wanted to get across, I'm glad people are enjoying the post. x
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ReplyDeleteCharlie CP13 June 2016 at 20:19
I've never been to Turkey but I totally rate this post! I think part of the stigma is to do with the fact the country is a lot different to France/England where people presume we have the greatest security measures but that's just not the case, and just because Turkey is different to us doesn't mean it's backwards or incapable of looking after itself.
CHARLIE CP | charliecp.com
Thank you! I suppose that's probably some people's ways of thinking but where I visit the Jandarma (Turkish armed forces) are literally patrolling the streets so I feel totally safe haha! x
DeleteGreat post! Unfortunately we are at a point in History where basically no where in the world is completely safe but that doesn't mean you should stop seeing the world and living your life!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great trip to Turkey, it looks like a beautiful place.
x Emily || www.lifestyleofemily.com
You're absolutely right! Thank you, it's a beautiful country. x
DeleteMy mum has gone to Turkey every year for the past 12 years or something because my stepdad's parents used to live out there. She's staying in a very small beach village on the south coast, far away from anywhere that seems to be targeted. Like you say- the very nature of terrorist attacks are unpredictable. It's a sad state of the world that you're not really safe anywhere and she'll probably be at less risk in this sleepy little Turkish village near the mountains than she would be in London.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, it sounds like your mum goes to somewhere situated near where I go haha! x
DeleteThis post was such a good read, I most definitely agree! I've never been to Turkey but I can totally understand you, you shouldn't stop yourself from travelling because of what's said on the news because it's so general... I personally live in London, was here during the bombings and the attack on Charlie Hebdo, and both times, especially in November 2015, my family was so so scared and wanted me to come back home. But honestly, there's so much crime and danger everywhere... But honestly, when I go home and get off the train in Brussels I feel more in danger than when I'm in Paris. You're not safe anywhere, and it makes me so so sad, such a horrible world we live in right now.. Thank you for sharing this post lovely!
ReplyDeleteXO IMKE | Pastellics
Thank you so much. I visited London in November shortly after the Paris attacks and of course, I was wary but I didn't let it stop me. I still had a fab time. x
DeleteSuch an interesting post topic. I'm from London and on more than one occasion I've been asked if I feel safe on the tube or on the street. It's never occurred to me that I should feel unsafe in my home city and I won't let fear stop me enjoying a normal life.
ReplyDeleteJennifer x
Ginevrella | Lifestyle Blog
Yeah, you're so right! x
DeleteI actually didn't know what happened in Turkey. I only learned it from you now. I've never been to Turkey and it's one of the place I want to visit soon. I have to agree with you. Of course, no one can stop us from travelling. We just have to be updated of the place that we're going to. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
SHAIRA // Beach bum
Oh really? To be fair, it isn't really prioritised on Western news as much as other countries are so that's understandable. x
DeleteLove this post. This year will be my first visit to Turkey - my boyfriend's parents have essentially rented an apartment so we only had to pay flights & spending money which made it a pretty cheap holiday! We're staying pretty much at the opposite side of the country to where all the commotion is, and honestly I'm so excited. Right now I'm more concerned for my parents who are currently in the States!
ReplyDeleteAmanda Jayne | beauty, style, life
Aw, where are you staying? I hope you have an amazing time! x
DeleteWe shouldn't let these terror attacks stop us from doing what we want. We cant be scared, that will let them win. I'm going over to the US I'm fully aware of what COULD happen but I could also get hit by a bus in my own home town. Life is about chances and taking them. You enjoy your holiday babes.
ReplyDeleteJustBreathe
xxx
https://justbreathesite.wordpress.com/
Absolutely spot on girl! Thank you. :) x
DeleteI went to Turkey last year, and although I was in an awful hotel (totally my fault not anything to do with the country itself) I had a great time. It didn't stop me going and I'm really glad I went (minus the burning like a lobster that occurred haha!!). I'm a super cautious person anyway, and I didn't feel any different walking around Turkey than I would do in London - I'm just always over protective of my bag etc!
ReplyDeleteEmily // Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
xx
This is such a good post as I've had people say exactly the same thing to me ... There is a risk of things happening in all major cities ...but I don't let it put me off at all. You've covered an amazing point my love ...loved this post !
ReplyDeleteSaira
www.throughtheglitterglass.wordpress.com
Xxx
I have never felt unsafe in any of the places I've been to abroad. Not unsafe as in, 'oh there must be terrorists here'. Nope. People do just focus on one thing without really thinking about the country as a whole. I hope you enjoy your holiday! I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of photos and just looking on and feeling jealous... ;)
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