Introducing Turkey to the world

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With its rich cultural heritage, and spectacular scenery, both on the coast and the Anatolian plateau, Turkey is an ideal tourist destination. Tourism has now become the country's second largest industry. As a professional tour guide, Ali Dede Coskuner made every effort to give us a better understanding of Turkey's culture and history during our trip. But what impressed us most was his love and enthusiasm for this job, and his great pride in being a citizen of this intriguing nation.
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For Ali Dede Coskuner, who's been working as a tour guide for 15 years, the five-day trip with us from Turkey's capital city Ankara to the Cappadocia region is just one of hundreds of tours he has made. "V'vf-z^v
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But his consistent high spirits, combined with his very detailed and interesting commentary, meant we were continually entertained and informed. Meanwhile, he told us that a job as a tour guide always provided him with a fresh view, and he enjoyed seeing his own country through foreigners' eyes.
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Ali Dede Coskuner, Tour Guide, said, "I enjoy so much in meeting lots of people, cultures and mentalities... I open my own mind as well, otherwise, you have this narrow view, but when you work as a tour guide, you see many people from different cultures... and I can make good friendship between the countries."
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&ob9t$x0aD%R,tv After getting his license in 1989, Ali worked on the Mediterranean coast, the Aegean coast and Istanbul, before finally settling in Cappadocia. He said it was the peaceful and unique environment, fresh air and easy lifestyle that attracted him. i%m;[6Z|&K5f

#R'|?/w-u _i L And another reason he wants to stay in this area stems from one of his major concerns regarding Turkey's tourism industry. As a region combining many civilizations over history, Cappadocia and the central Turkey region carries more historical and cultural significance than other seaside areas. However, among some 17 million tourists to Turkey each year, less than two million choose to come to this region, with the rest preferring the sea, sun and sand at the beaches along the coast. oIT9x/D,\#goZ

.LK,y!@&Q6a*O As a tour guide, Ali is trying his best to introduce this unique land to us, with his rich knowledge and solid historical background. Whether in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, or at the well-known underground city, a strong sense of pride in Turkey can be found everywhere in his descriptions and explanations... 6zxx3G-Tp

v%c:[@j~ Turkey's location in the Middle East brings many concerns, especially relating to security, for foreign tourists. And every time foreign tourists change their fixed and somewhat negative views about Turkey on his tour, Ali feels that all his efforts have paid off.
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[ky([A-Q$V2T Ali Dede Coskuner, Tour Guide, said, "Guide makes bridge of peace, tourism bring peace to the world..." 3RF4j%^:X/[g:g
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MG/AUHN7X^| Aside from work, the biggest comfort for Ali is his happy family, with three sons and a loving wife. But as a tour guide, his time with his family is destined to be very limited. \w]SY
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Ali Dede Coskuner said, "Tour guide is no timing, you don't have time to work, sometimes, you have to work for 14-15 hours, sometimes, even more than 18 hours, you can't say I am tired."
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Despite these challenges, Ali always sees the beauty of the job that he does. And his smiling face always makes him an affable host for his guests.
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According to Ali, there are about 10 thousand tour guides throughout Turkey, with only five thousand who are active. Because of certain legal loopholes, not all the tour guides are licensed professionals, which results in some unfair competition. At the same time, tour guiding in Turkey is still not recognized as a profession, so guides are not included in the country's insurance system.
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As a professional guide, Ali hopes the government will do something to solve these problems and improve the status of tour guides. Aside from this job, Ali has his own tourism company, and lives a very active and energetic life. 7tZgdU ` MU b$m

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Ali Dede Coskuner said, "... work harder, make a better life."
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Sn4Zj)a~3mb'X As an English-speaking tour guide, Ali doesn't have many opportunities to meet Chinese people. But with China becoming one of the world's biggest tourism markets, Ali is looking forward to making friends with more Chinese people. It's expected that 1 million Chinese tourists will visit Turkey over the next 10 years. YS*L-R^e%z3z

.I;`:i*O;s0BpEX1n Ali Dede Coskuner said, "We have such long relation with China, such as Turks, come from Central Asia... let's make the two countries closer by your TV channel, Turkey Should be the No. 1 foreign tourist destination for China. All the best to China!" F9C2^0{+K_ihCv

j1U c[xJ2e For all of us, this friendship between China and Turkey is just beginning.

Living in Turkey ]Q2ge+R+hb4V
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Turkey has a unique geographic location. Three percent of its land lies in Europe and the other 97 percent in Asia. This has significant life-style consequences for its people. In the following report, Feng Shu, takes us to two different regions in Turkey, where she discovered the diverse and colorful lives of the Turks. ~:TN
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Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles Asia and Europe. In this city, long-cherished traditions exist alongside Europeanized lifestyles. Eastern ideas coexist with western ideas, as does conservatism with modernity. Yet instead of feeling a loss of identity, most Istanbul citizens thrive on the very tension of these co-existing traditions.
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1v)th|Y Istanbul Resident, said, "As long as we maintain our traditions, there is no harm in modernizing some aspects of our lives. All of us have to work together if we don't want to be left behind. Ideally, we should be a melting-pot of tradition and modernity." ~W
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%e0J0}4y`{ Tea drinking is an important part of Turkish leisure life. At this famous tea house at the end of the Golden Horn, traditional Jazz plays in the background of a tea-drinking ceremony involving small tea glasses, delicate trays, and red tea leaves. Tea-time is typically an occasion for the locals to relax in luxury. )v%ewI&x J7tB+m

u9QFx*I If tea-drinking is for casual chats amongst friends, then pipe-smoking is the best way for people to relax, either alone, or in the company of others. P(q6iJ3K,{?3oT
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Back in the 14th century, the King of Persia gave the Turkish Sultan a smoking-pipe as gift. Initially confused by this oddly shaped present, the Sultan sent an ambassador to Persia to ask how he might use this pipe. Legend suggests that it is from this point onwards that pipe-smoking gained popularity, with pipe-smoking cafeterias spreading throughout Turkey. Today, with an increasingly hectic pace of living, pipe-smoking is not as popular as it was centuries ago. In fact, it is not generally enjoyed by younger people. Elderly people are more likely to enjoy the odd pipe and can be seen puffing away in gardens and tea houses.
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t Since pipe-smoking is much more expensive than cigarette-smoking, pipe-smoking is considered a luxury.
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-]_)p:_u)_lq5} For most tourists to Turkey, the Turkish Bath is an essential experience. Originally used by Turkish people as a place to bathe, most Turkish bathing areas are connected to mosques. Such bathing areas are equipped with marble floors and basins. Men and women either bathe in separate rooms, or proprietors ensure that bathing areas are open to men and women at different times of the day. X)I?N4U2mB

2}|P)oHYQ Generally, the bath is a lengthy process comprising body cleaning as well as massage. Turkish bathrooms provide stress-relief and are also good centres for socialization.
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The uniquely harsh conditions in Cappadocia at the Anatolia Plateau in central Turkey have had a considerable impact on Turks living in the region. I#J!o jS~

}8W4oG B Violent eruptions of two huge volcanoes long ago covered the Cappadocia region with tufa, a soft stone comprised of lava, ash and mud. The wind and rain have since eroded this brittle rock and created a spectacularly surreal landscape of rock cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines, in colors that range from warm reds and gold to cool greens and greys. )tH)X3v/A0TW
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Most of the dwellings have been fashioned from the rocks of the numerous capped pinnacles. The locals call these fascinating pinnacles "fairy chimneys".
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+\ f3u5QTH"gK6btu This Turkish lady has been living in this cave-house with her family for 25 years. Recently, her dwelling became a tourist spot. Inside the cave house, the wall and roof are roughly textured and are plastered with white lacquer. Though it looks basic, it is actually equipped with many modern facilities, including electronic equipment, and even a TV satellite! GKIw1h
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v!zY~W7M)F E1~N*t Instead of resenting this intrusion, she was happy to make friends with travellers from around the world. v ^"m"Q(B(GAH
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Cave-house Hostess, said, "I am so happy to see foreign friends from different parts of the world. Through communication, we can better understand each other. As a Turkish lady, I want to keep my culture alive, to show others what a real Turkish life is, and to show what makes living here so different." HW/_u!Y0vq~
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Among 3,000 residents in this small town, only some 3 to 5 percent of villagers still live in cave-houses like this. Though a little bit isolated from the outside world, the villagers say they enjoy their lives in this peaceful, beautiful and blessed land. 1E}ogE6|/qM9T

jg0zP,XK Compared with families living in big cities, family members share close bonds here. As a mother, she wants to keep her children by her side. But at the same time, she hopes and prepares for a better life for her children.
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Cave-house hostess, said, "If the family budget allows, I want to send my children to western countries to see modern life there and broaden their horizons. Every nationality has its own culture, I hope my children can learn more about other countries. After observation and analysis, they can then be independent and make their own choices." bXQ8qa*w\

W ?uK)f/r Aside from basic farming, this Turkish lady enjoys kilim-weaving. She does this both as a hobby, and also as a business.

Turkey is beautifull country. Men are handsome there.;P

Reply #3 annyblank's post

Have you been there before? All men are handsome?:o

Anny have many friends from there.
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[quote]Originally posted by [i]mazy[/i] at 2007-4-4 10:50
n|!SaLxF| Anny have many friends from there.[/`#G~)d3w3t
:P [/quote]
Gc^F\t Just little, not more.:$ `,B)j|:yB `:F2}
PS:tao, they are really handsome;P

Very beautiful scenes and handsome Men ~~ ,love to travel there one day :) :lol

Very beautiful scenes and handsome Men ~~ ,love to travel there one day :) :lol

every country has his own culture.Is!m,j!{"[%at@e

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z7a8I never forget our motherland is more beautiful.

Reply #9 impk's post

you are right. Every country is beautifull:P

for turkey pics please visit
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[quote]Originally posted by [i]Yokan[/i] at 2008-4-5 09:32 [url=http://forum.fobshanghai.com/redirect.php?goto=findpost&pid=3236411&ptid=305106][img]http://forum.fobshanghai.com/images/common/back.gif[/img][/url]V@ Ye9U
for turkey pics please visit
diXo,i"D^#y [url]http://forum.fobshanghai.com/viewthread.php?tid=321231&page=1&extra=[/url] [/quote]
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D-f j)l%c,Wwz another handsome man from Turkey ,:D

Reply #12 levone's post

It's handsome Turkey ,,,:lol

~!~

and the women  is beautiful ! ,for the beautiful mother give birth to the handsome boys then the handsome man!:)

Reply #1 shirllytao's post

shirlly,
#_ `9Q_t-rE9D,bj i think we should introduce Anhui to friends here ,:handshake
S{'l6NT.F(~6O it is beautiful ,too

[quote]Originally posted by [i]impk[/i] at 2007-4-7 10:18 [url=http://forum.fobshanghai.com/redirect.php?goto=findpost&pid=3051037&ptid=305106][img]http://forum.fobshanghai.com/images/common/back.gif[/img][/url]3x%V8[*n#hb {;v,@!kIvi
every country has his own culture.;i;qW:N!By4S,Jd

-ei8[7qr:W.EN)k never forget our motherland is more beautiful. [/quote]
M2H7{ZvRE1[B ~I Michael Scofield is my idol.I am very appreciative of  him.He is very smart,wise and handsome.

I think Turkey is very nice country ı say that everyone should visit one time in their life...

[quote]Originally posted by [i]impk[/i] at 2007-4-7 10:18 [url=http://www.fobshanghai.com/redirect.php?goto=findpost&pid=3051037&ptid=305106][img]http://www.fobshanghai.com/images/common/back.gif[/img][/url]
5x*T#gL5p&t every country has his own culture. Bg6`x(M4y

4~o8_r pb_2e krE never forget our motherland is more beautiful. [/quote]
zvx_*Ud9v good ,great,perfect!~~~~~~~~~~~

hi shirlly, i admire your excellent written english, for me it is much difficult to record them in English.
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I have one big customer from Turkey, he is handsome, affable, and easygoing.0wY8~#em$\

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rH#keo8S~:n#I Thank you very much for sharing!