Continent: Europe and Asia.
Official Language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish lira
Türkiye, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe.
This is interesting because you would think most of it was in Europe since there are so many historic attractions located on the European side. I was briefly on the Asia side while riding the hop on/off bus tour. I didn’t get off because the buses didn’t run frequently and I didn’t want to have to find alternative transportation.
The Dos and Don’ts of Türkiye:
– Dress Modestly: Especially in conservative areas and religious sites like mosques, wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders, legs, and chest. Women should carry a headscarf for mosques and other holy sites.
– Accept Hospitality: It’s customary to accept offers of tea or food. If you must decline, do so politely and give a legitimate reason. Declining food can be seen as rude.
– Bargain: Haggle at local markets and bazaars for a lower price, as this is a common practice.
– Don’t drink tap water: It is generally safer to drink bottled water, as tap water is not always clean for drinking.
– Don’t use certain hand gestures: The “okay” sign is considered an insult in Turkey. Avoid pointing at people.
– Don’t insult Atatürk: The founder of the Turkish Republic is highly respected, and insulting him is illegal and highly offensive.
One thing you will notice while in Turkey is the number of stray cats, and they are not afraid of people. I’ve seen them laid out everywhere, including restaurants. Because there were so many, I did a little research and found out that cats are in integral part of Turkish culture, due to their role in pest control, favorable treatment in Islamic tradition, and recent legal protections that classify animals as living beings, not property. As a result, stray cats are widely cared for by the community, with many people feeding, sheltering, and providing them with medical care, viewing them as communal pets rather than strays. Just a fun fact about Turkey.
