travel advice for eastern turkey

a non-photographer friend of mine is traveling to Van, Diyarbakir, Besni, Elazig, Mus in Eastern Turkey.

Has anyone been in this region recently? I am looking for general advice of things to do or NOT do while in this area.. and any other advice or safety concerns.. She is traveling with a group and they will have local people with them.. so she should be good to go.. just thought I would inquire of the list, as we see more things in general.

thanks in advance.

Jon

by Jon Golden at Wed Apr 30 18:31:48 UTC 2008 (ed. May 5 2008) charlottesville, Virginia, United States | Bookmark this | Digg this |

Jon:

If you do not get any responses, send a PM to my personal friend Ali Kutlu, originally from Turkey. Let him know I told you to contact him on behalf of your friends. You can PM here at LS:

http://www.lightstalkers.org/arizakutlu

I will see him tomorrow evening at an exhibition opening and will tell him to check this post. He should be able to give your friend some good advice, especially with regard to that region and anything related to Kurds…

wish i were going this year to Look3!...BEST OF LUCK FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!...i’ll be there next year for certain!

cheers
bob

by Bob Black | 01 May 2008 03:05 | Toronto, Canada |

thanks

by Jon Golden | 01 May 2008 14:05 | charlottesville, Virginia, United States |

jon:

will see Ali in 1 hr…i’ll have him send you info tonight :)

cheers
bob

by Bob Black | 01 May 2008 21:05 | Toronto, Canada |

I have lived, traveled, and photographed in Eastern Turkey for the last 6 years. The areas you mention are fine, though I’ve never heard of Besni and couldn’t find it on the map. Especially if your friend is in a group and with locals she will encounter no problems, just minor delays at checkpoints. She’ll have to show her passport and wait for her info to be recorded. The people of Eastern Turkey are very friendly and hospitable. Your friend is certain to have a wonderful experience.

cheers,

Jonathan

by Jonathan Henderson | 02 May 2008 16:05 (ed. May 2 2008) | Dallas, TX, United States |

Eastern Turkey is very safe. I have been working in a small town near Diyarbakir every summer for the last three years. The only suggestion I would have is that she pick up a head scarf to wear if she visits any of the smaller villages, but even that is not that crucial.

by Jon Vidar | 05 May 2008 21:05 | Los Angeles, CA, United States |