Explosion in Istanbul

[Fiches Mouser]

Istanbul explosion: 10 people killed in tourist area – live updates | World news | The Guardian

 

[JessicaTam]

Dreadful news.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Another tragedy in a beautiful city.

Was in that very spot on Friday too.

 

[Boca68]

Awful news!

I'm on my way there in March. I wavered for a few moments this morning upon hearing the news. But, quickly decided I'm still going. Don't let the cowards win. And I'll be sure to do a TR, my first.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Awful news!

I'm on my way there in March. I wavered for a few moments this morning upon hearing the news. But, quickly decided I'm still going. Don't let the cowards win. And I'll be sure to do a TR, my first.

Definitely keep your plans (as long as you feel comfortable). It's so important for tourism to continue, as it was in Paris, Bangkok etc.

 

[JohnK]

Sad news.

The cowards are winning.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Awful news!

I'm on my way there in March. I wavered for a few moments this morning upon hearing the news. But, quickly decided I'm still going. Don't let the cowards win. And I'll be sure to do a TR, my first.

This is what we always feel. To be quite honest everywhere has issues, so it is just a matter of luck. Two of our kids stayed in The Taj in Mumbai almost exactly 1 year before it was attacked. We have been in other places just before or just after problems, Can't live your life too scared to travel. We travelled in Turkey in both 2009 and last year and really enjoyed the scenery, history and people. Hope you have a great time and all goes well.

 

[clifford]

I was tossing up whether to go to Istanbul or Rome in March (I have a completely changeable ticket). I think this has made my decision for me. I was half expecting such an event, but more likely from the PKK, because of Erdoğan's current attitude towards them. So a little surprising that the Turks should say that it was an ISIS suicide bomber. In any case, I would expect the situation to get worse in the short to medium term. Just my take on things.

 

[RooFlyer]

Awful news!

I'm on my way there in March. I wavered for a few moments this morning upon hearing the news. But, quickly decided I'm still going. Don't let the cowards win. And I'll be sure to do a TR, my first.

Same; planning mid year and not thinking of changing.

 

[Simo]

Shocking news and the world changes a little bit more agin for the worse

 

[Boca68]

This is what we always feel. To be quite honest everywhere has issues, so it is just a matter of luck. Two of our kids stayed in The Taj in Mumbai almost exactly 1 year before it was attacked. We have been in other places just before or just after problems, Can't live your life too scared to travel. We travelled in Turkey in both 2009 and last year and really enjoyed the scenery, history and people. Hope you have a great time and all goes well.

Thanks Flying Mermaid. What you say is true.

I spent a year in Bogota 2007. Although the security situation was much improved on on the late 90's and early 00's, as the locals told me. The day before I arrived, FARC set off a bomb. Thankfully only minor injuries this time. It was probably the most incredible year I've spent. Fell in love with the city and the country. For the first few weeks, I'll admit to been a bit edgy, but after a while, I was more concerned with pickpockets on the Transmileno than anything else. I think my family and friends back home were more concerned than me.

I'll be alert, but not alarmed, so to speak. Looking forward to it. I was meant to visit about 20 years ago, but our ferry from Greece got cancelled due to a storm. There had been a ferry sinking only a week or 2 before. SO everybody was being cautious. Being poor backpackers, and no refund (grrr!) and couldn't afford another ticket. Just went back to London the next day.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

There was also this today in Turkey's south-east, unrelated to Istanbul. Said to be PKK.

Turkey police headquarters hit by car bomb attack – reports | World news | The Guardian

 

[clifford]

I think this kind of thing justifies my decision to avoid Turkey for now. With ISIS AND the PKK determined to cause trouble, it seems just a little to risky at the moment for me.

Yesterday evening I cancelled all my flights/accommodation for Turkey for my March trip and rebooked to Rome, which I know quite well, and even though there is a concern regarding criminality (which I have personally experienced), I think I would feel much more comfortable there.

And as an added bonus, I will save a few dollars in the process.

 

[Pushka]

And you think Rome is safer? Sydney? Paris? London? New York?.....

 

[amaroo]

Enjoyed Istanbul in April (bombed a couple of months before we arrived), Rome in December (threaten after the last Paris event) and Paris right now.... Glad we didn't cancel.

 

[amaroo]

Enjoyed Istanbul in April (bombed a couple of months before we arrived), Rome in December (threaten after the last Paris event) and Paris right now.... Glad we didn't cancel.

FWIW,for every armed person we saw in Paris there was 3/4 in Rome. That city is packing!

 

[amaroo]

Sad news.

The cowards are winning.

Cowards never win!