Well I fell for the oldest scam in Istanbul and I am normally a tough person to scam.

I met a sales guy for a carpet store and walked in. I like recycled old Turkish csrperts they sell IKEA.

They had some patch work carpets and I told them about IKEA prices and quality etc. they priced below IKEA a little but and they had a nice blue one so I decided to buy it.

When the scam artist ran up the credit card bill he did dollars not liras. I refused to sign. Another manager comes up and instead of refunding me charges me another five hundred bucks.

I just walked out. Called Citibank from the steps of the store and reported a fraudulent charge and cancelled my card.

From now on its dirty cash currency for me.

Damn, I wish I was sitting around there with you drinking Efes beer. There is a hole in the wall restaurant down by the shore which serves what must be the world's greatest fried anchovies. To die for.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
Damn, I wish I was sitting around there with you drinking Efes beer. There is a hole in the wall restaurant down by the shore which serves what must be the world's greatest fried anchovies. To die for.

Damn Gato I am on my fourth large Efes as I type this

Mike

Hey, you're doing pretty good to type and spell correctly. Wish I was there.......

Being on my fourth beers I forgot about the anchovies part.

I hate fish and anchovies in particular.

But I will say one thing - after being to Istanbul I know why roman emperors is wanted to move there.

This along with the cape in South Africa is what I call mind blowing beautiful.

Mike

I literally am sitting in the shadow of the Blue Mosque drinking a massive beer and no one is cutting my head off.

You got to like Isbantul regardless of the rug merchants.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I literally am sitting in the shadow of the Blue Mosque drinking a massive beer and no one is cutting my head off.

You got to like Isbantul regardless of the rug merchants.

Mike

Mike:

You are not up to date, they no longer cut your head off, they blow you up. Avoid crowds, especially ones that attract Americans. Or drink enough Efes and don't worry about the small stuff. We all die somehow.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
I literally am sitting in the shadow of the Blue Mosque drinking a massive beer and no one is cutting my head off.

You got to like Isbantul regardless of the rug merchants.

Mike

Mike:

You are not up to date, they no longer cut your head off, they blow you up. Avoid crowds, especially ones that attract Americans. Or drink enough Efes and don't worry about the small stuff. We all die somehow.

There are few American tourist in Turkey anymore.

Mainly Russians, Chinese, arabs - none really buy touristy crap but they eat well.

There is plenty of security. I tend to stay away from crowds but had to suffer thru them to get inside the Hagia Sophia.

Last night in Instanbul - I will have a beer or two.

Mike