8 replies to this topic

[Abi]

One of the great advantages of being married to a travel writer is the trips about Turkey on which I can accompany him, in the name of “research.”


One of the disadvantages is that these jaunts are invariably taken in the winter months and due to the lack of a decent expense account, necessitate staying in hotels and pensions at the cheaper end of the scale.

Over the years I have stayed in some fantastically interesting places, from grubby unofficial brothels on the north shore of Lake Van to boutique hotels on the Aegean coast. All of them have had their own particular charms, but in order to make them “comfortable,” it's necessary to pack a few essential items in your overnight bag. So here is some advice from a well-seasoned Turkey travel writer's aide.............

More: http://www.todayszam...f-pensions.html

[KKW]

Alison Kenny is always whingeing and whining about something or other in Turkey. If she hates it so much, why doesn't she just pack her bags and go ?

[sunny]

I thought the article quite amusing with a couple of useful tips for winter travel.

[Abi]

After reading the article again I still can't see anything wrong with it and still think it was amusing. However, it goes to show once again how people can read an article and form different opinions,interesting. I thought the tip about the balcony doors and the the air con was good to know, but I do wonder why if it was soooo cold why the door was open.

[Ken]

I have stayed in some great pensions, as well as some real dumps. Often I just show up in town and start walking, looking for the area where most of them are. And I'm usually so tired that I'm not very picky.

I prefer pensions, they can be a lot more enjoyable than regular hotels because of the people you meet. The better ones have barbecue nights, entertainment nights, and even social events for the guests, as well as a common area where the guests get together and watch TV and relax. But some of them seem to go out of their way to be as crappy and uncomfortable as possible.

When I first arrived in Marmaris, I was tired and not very picky. I walked all over the place. Not a pension in sight. I asked several people where one was, and got the run-around. Seems like everybody who worked in the main part of town was from Eastern Turkey and had no idea where anything was, but told me to walk in various directions anyway. And of course they used my plight it as an intro to a sales pitch before they would really answer my question.

I found a nondescript door with a little sign which said "Hotel." I went upstairs and could see that it was a rather seedy place, with a couple of larcenous-looking dudes drinking beer and watching TV.

"Do you have a room?" I asked.
"You have girlfriend?" One of them turned his head and replied, not bothering to get up. I assumed he was asking me if I wanted a single or a double room.
"No."
"You have friend?" He gave me a "knowing" smile.
"No."
"What you want? Sleep?"
"Yes. I want to sleep."
"All night?"
"Yes. I want a room. With a bed. So I can sleep all night."
"Sorry. No have room."

I finally found the part of town which had pensions. And I found a room. With a bed. And I slept all night.

[Vic801]

Great story Ken! It reminds me of 2 English girls I met in Bordeaux who had spent their first night in a very grotty "hotel" just opposite the railway station - well, I may be naive but that would have put me off straightaway. Also when the receptionnist, who was wearing a pink dressing-gown at 4 in the afternoon, asked them incredulously "And you have luggage?"

[sunny]

Ha ha, two good stories, thanks guys.

[IstanbulWhiteboy]

I used to go backpacking in the high sierras (california) when I was a kid, and considering the cost per night of the pensions here, if it's got three walls and a mattress that's a luxury accommodation as far as i'm concerned!

[phoenix]

very helpful, thx