My niece and two friends are going to Istanbul for three months

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My niece and two friends are going to Istanbul for three months — any advice?

939 sats \ 19 comments \ @0xbitcoiner 15h Travel

My niece and two friends are going to Istanbul for three months for a kind of nursing internship. They’re young and don’t have experience abroad, especially in countries where the culture is a bit different from Europe. If you have any advice, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!

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101 sats \ 1 reply \ @plunda 7h

if anyone drops a shoebrush on the floor in front of them, don't be a good samaritan and pick it up. it's the hook to an elaborate scam. checkout some videos on istanbul scammers.
only spend a few days in the european tourist side, then take a boat over to the asian side and live there instead. it's way cooler and cheaper. also the boat trip is stunning.
it's very common for businesses to have two prices, one for foreigner and one for locals. it's unavoidable sometimes but you should always ask prices upfront.
walk. there's so much to see, so many little golden moments. cats everywhere, beautiful shabby old graffiti sprayed buildings, ancient ruins quietly crumbling with the summer rains, people from everywhere bartering haggling and criss crossing paths
take the sleeper night train to Bulgaria - unforgettable journey and Sofia is a cool city - very different from Istanbul

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xbitcoiner OP 7h

nice tips. thanks!

133 sats \ 0 replies \ @optimism 11h

I've lived in Istanbul for a little under 3 years. It's safer there than in Rome, Paris or Berlin. Many young people speak acceptable enough English - though some basic Turkish is useful when you do groceries or go eat out. People are generally open and friendly and your neighbor will look out for you.

As long as they don't do things they wouldn't do in front of their parents, they'll be fine.

I'd also recommend to not spend money on alcohol or pork - waste of money.

121 sats \ 2 replies \ @pappasbland 13h

If they have the funds, they should take a food tour with Culinary Backstreets. They're really good!
https://culinarybackstreets.com/city-guides/istanbul

40 sats \ 1 reply \ @0xbitcoiner OP 13h

I was thinking of giving her some sats to spend over there, do you think it’s worth it?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @pappasbland 12h

A tour like the 'Culinary Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter' is really good and great fun if they enjoy food. It's not cheap, but you get very well fed and get taken to places you'd never know about, so it's eye-opening and educational.
-Tom

121 sats \ 0 replies \ @cointastical 14h

Nearly everyone is on the take, in one manner or another. Ask your Uber or Taxi driver where to have dinner? The driver gets something from the restaurant for dropping you off there. So, of course, where you end up does not necessarily match what you requested, but where the driver gets the greatest commission.

There are few places where alcohol is served. When you find one and ask to be seated, and then finish your drink (and signal for the bill), you might learn it is a "private club", and you owe an additional $30 for the membership (you took the seat, so you accepted). Yes, that happened.

117 sats \ 3 replies \ @DarthCoin 15h

yeah bring one of these, so you could take with you some cats

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @0xbitcoiner OP 15h

My neighbor has seven, and they’re all running loose on the street, we don’t need any more! ahahha

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin 15h

stack cats

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xbitcoiner OP 15h

ahah!

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @ek 13h

three months for a kind of nursing internship

Can they speak Turkish?

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @0xbitcoiner OP 13h

She told me they had a mini 30-hour crash course on the basics, and they’ll mostly be communicating in English.