tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301356559671062715.post3127846492132301628..comments2023-12-29T00:24:48.258-08:00Comments on SeattleFlyerGuy's All-Purpose Travel Blog: 10/31: Taksim Square Suicide Blast*SeattleFlyerGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08357528552226401685noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301356559671062715.post-50690449359625010132010-11-22T02:18:58.931-08:002010-11-22T02:18:58.931-08:00My experience is limited to Istanbul, but there wa...My experience is limited to Istanbul, but there was never a situation where I felt specifically threatened. It should not be a major problem for you. That said:<br /><br />1. Exercise some amount caution around protests, which are somewhat common near Taksim square. You don't need to avoid the square, but do give them space. If something is going to happen, it's going to be related to these protests.<br /><br />2. Watch your money carefully and never hand it over without a firm price. Be sure to count your change! There are quite a few who are good at slight of hand and will count your bills for you while palming one (I got hit with this for 20TL). Same applies when you change money: Do not leave until you've counted your money.<br /><br />3. Otherwise, general world travel cautions apply: As long as you are situationally aware, there's nothing to fear. You will be hassled to buy stuff, but that's an annoyance, not a threat. If you don't want to buy, just leave the shop and don't talk with them on your way out if you feel pressured to buy something you don't want.<br /><br />4. There are a couple scams which are common. There's the drink scam ("Let's grab a drink, my friend!" / "Here's the bill for 1000TL!" or more). The shoe shine scam (*Shoe shiner drops brush, you pick it up, he gives you sob story* / "10TL for my family?" which is 5-10x the normal price). Taxi scam (*Doesn't turn on meter* / "That's 50TL" again 5-10x more).SeattleFlyerGuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357528552226401685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5301356559671062715.post-74932359528841166562010-11-21T10:53:09.512-08:002010-11-21T10:53:09.512-08:00I am taking my husband and kids (15 and 13) to Ist...I am taking my husband and kids (15 and 13) to Istanbul this summer. Any tips on safety? we are all world travelers with the least of us at 15 countries and the most at 38.worldtraveller2https://www.blogger.com/profile/03902195896531838305noreply@blogger.com