Many friends and family expressed their concern about traveling to Turkey as there was a great deal of unrest around Taksim Square and the ongoing civil war in Syria. To add to the worry was a U.S. Department of State warning issued the day before we departed. But we never saw or experienced a single incident that made us question our safety.

The Turkish people we encountered were incredibly friendly and helpful. If we looked even slightly lost, someone invariably offered to help. If we asked for directions, it was given with much cheer and usually the person led us to where we wanted to go. Younger people wanted to chat so they could practice their English, although I hope my thick Texas accent didn’t confuse them too much 🙂

I woke up with a nasty sinus infection the day we flew out, and part of our first morning in Istanbul was spent locating a pharmacy. When we asked for a decongestant, the pharmacist himself spoke to us face-to-face and made personal recommendations.

All in all, our enduring memory of our trip will be of the people and their wonderful friendliness and the small kindnesses extended.