My time in Istanbul was certainly intriguing, blending city life with captivating sightseeing. The mosques, impressive architecture, delightful cuisine, and the experience of a Hammam bath were highlights. It was a great opportunity to indulge and be pampered. The bustling markets, the aromatic allure of Turkish cuisine, and the warm hospitality of its people create an unforgettable experience. Istanbul's unique charm, spanning from the historic sites to the bustling streets, invites travelers to immerse themselves in a city that beautifully harmonizes the old and the new.
However, despite my efforts to be polite, rude, ignore, or kindly request not to be bothered, I felt like an absolute target. The persistence of men, coupled with their negative reactions to rejection, left me uneasy. Eventually, the last day I decided to stay at the hotel, treating myself to a relaxing Hammam bath, sipping wine, and engrossing myself in a good book in the lobby.
A word of caution for everyone: be wary of the taxi drivers in Istanbul. While UBER is supposedly not allowed, I unknowingly used it through yellow taxi drivers. My first UBER ride ended with the driver altering the fare in the app and doubling the price. Despite my prompt request for a refund and a negative ranking, I still had to pay a fee. The second time, trusting the hotel receptionist to order a taxi for a flat rate to the airport, I was confronted by the driver demanding additional money upon arrival. This prompted me to involve a nearby police officer and, interestingly, the taxi driver almost begged me not to call the police. So they are definitely scared of the tourist police there.
One incident on the Istanbul bridge was particularly unsettling. A man approached me at the Square with a seemingly harmless question about my origin, but his persistence and following led to an uncomfortable confrontation. Thankfully, I managed to ward him off, but it made me reflect on the potential dangers. The thought lingered—what if he had put something on my skin? Yes! Exactly. He touched my hand and my paranoid self thought he put drugs in my skin and I'm going to pass out any minute. I power walked back to the hotel and I was all safe again. Even though he maybe was just trying to flirt I wasn't here for it. Seriously!
After this trip I decided to share more travel tips on how to be safer as a solo traveler. I created a Pinterest board with items I use and will use in the future. Like an alarm door stopper or a device to put on the key chain that you can press and it makes a loud noise to scare of folks that are too close to you lol. I will also be taking mace with me on every travel. Of course, that one you have to put in your check in bag.
I've started using a free app called Life360, which allows me to share my real-time location with specific individuals. I've chosen to share this information with my two friends and a family member for added safety and peace of mind.
I was surprised when someone suggested that I might wear provocative outfits and that's why – a notion that couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, I am covered from head to toe, and the idea that my clothing choices could be considered provocative is entirely unfounded. Nonetheless, such perceptions are inconsequential to who I am as an individual and wha tis allowed.
Despite these experiences, I remain committed to solo travel. However, I've learned valuable lessons and will now be more cautious, considering personal safety with tools like mace and a knife in my future travels. Some of ya might be laughing about the knife but I'm serious. I put a traveling knife on my Pinterest board as well. In addition, learn a couple of phrases in the language to let them know to get away from you. I always ask the hotel staff for some phrases and memorize them. Like, if you don't get away from me I will scream. P.S. That one helped me couple times.
Explore my ideas and Pinterest Board to enhance the safety and enjoyment of your travels.
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