To gain the most from a trip, particularly overseas, one should research a place before you visit. You want to go with a positive mindset. One purpose of visiting a different culture is to see things in a new light and find the positive aspects of the differences. Save all complaints about how things are not like America until you return home. Review the following information and sites, focusing on the areas you are most interested in.
Overseas
travel
Passports, visas, and customs
What to bring
Money
Getting around/Safety
Communication
Laws
History
Culture
Tourist sites
Food
Shopping
Languages
There is a 7 hour time difference between Wisconsin and Germany, and an 8 hour
time difference between Wisconsin and Turkey. This will lead to “jet lag”,
as your body will desire to stay up late and sleep late for about a week. We
will try to allow for adjustment time at the start of the trip. There will also
be reverse jet lag when you return; but that is not as hard an adjustment. See
the following site for information on how to adjust to jet lag:
Dealing with jet lag
A valid passport is required to travel overseas. For U.S. citizens, a 3-month
travel visa is required to enter Turkey. These are purchased at the airport
upon arrival for $26 cash. There are also customs restrictions on what you can
bring into and out of each country. For details, see the following links:
Entering
Germany
Europeans generally own just a few sets of nice clothes and re-wear them regularly. You can do the same for 2 weeks, so PACK LIGHT. Bring only one medium sized suitcase and a large carry-on bag or day pack that you can use for getting about. You can wash essentials in the hotel room. You will do much walking between modes of public transportation, getting to/from the hotel, and traveling about the cities. You do not want to be burdened with multiple bulky pieces of luggage.
Europeans are more formal than Americans. Generally, wear button-down shirts,
a pullover, slacks, and dress shoes. You will rarely see t-shirts, sweatshirts,
or shorts, so avoid them. In Turkey, avoid sleeveless shirts, shorts, and anything
see-through. Go ahead and wear your most comfortable shoes, even if they stand
out a little.
Women's
wear in Turkey
For a rough packing list (beyond what you wear on the plane), consider:
1-2 pairs khakis (and/or knee-length skirts for ladies)
2-4 button-down or rugby shirts
2-3 t-shirts
1 pullover or sweater
6 pair of underwear
4-6 pair of socks
Foldable rain jacket and hat
Basic toiletries, but minimum makeup
Washcloth (not supplied in European hotels)
Lip balm and sunscreen
Small amount of detergent (I have a travel-clothesline)
NO plug-in electrical devices (I have a 220V hair dryer for use)
Notebook and pens (save the laptop for home)
Camera and one film (buy more there as needed)
Prescription medication, and medicine/eyeglass prescriptions
Emergency medicines – aspirin and anti-diarrhea at a minimum
For the plane – book, earplugs, and/or sleeping mask
Travel book and information, phrase book
Copies of your passport and reservations
Some dollars and Euros
The official currency of Germany is the Euro, with 1 Euro (€) worth about $1.30. The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira, with 1 New Turkish Lira (YTL) worth about $.70. During 2005 the currency was being converted by dropping 1,000,000. Coins in the 100,000s and bills in the millions are NOT legal tender. Only accept them if you want an odd souvenir; do not try to spend them.
In general, plan on credit cards or bank cards to pay for purchases or get
local currency from ATMs. Multple cards are good, as a variety of problems can
keep them from working. You should also bring some Euros, if you can get a decent
exchange rate from your local bank. Check with your bank to make sure that exchange
fees are reasonable, and that your cards will be accepted in Turkey (some banks
prevent transactions in the Middle East without prior approval), you have appropriate
daily and total credit limits, and that you only use numbers in your PIN. For
more details on money planning, see the following:
About
German money
About
Turkish Money
Europe is far ahead of the United States in public transportation. Most cities are set up for both inter-city and intra-city transportation and actively discourage cars in the inner cities. Therefore we will only use public transportation. In Germany, we will use Eurrail to get between cities and trams to travel within Karlsruhe. In Istanbul, we will use a combination of taxis, vans, trams, trains, and ferries to get around. I will bring itineraries, hotel contact information and public transportation maps for all. KEEP THESE ON YOUR PERSON AT ALL TIMES - if you get separated from the group you will be expected to find your own way back to the tour, or at least to the hotel.
There is often significant walking between your destination and the public transportation, so wear comfortable shoes. Bring a large zippered purse, bag, or daypack to carry your daily needs – money, notebooks, camera, personal items, water, purchased items, etc. Although Europe is safe, keep your bag close as tourists are always targets to thieves. A water bottle is a necessity and a hip pack to hold it is useful. Drinks in Germany cost several Euros and tap water in Turkey should not be drunk at all.
European and Turkish cities are generally safer than large American cities, but they are still large cities! For free time, please only GO OUT IN GROUPS. Stay in public places - stores, restaurants, museums, etc.. Pickpocketing and having drugs put in drinks are rare put possible occurences. In Istanbul, it is reported that bars may present an extremely large bill and demand payment. If you are with a group, one person may go get help in this situation, but if you are alone you may be in a difficult position.
Public toilets are often pay toilets and may be different styles, so plan your
breaks accordingly and have change handy at all times.
German
fast facts
Turkish
fast facts
In general, cell phones often do not work (check coverage before you bring one), overseas phone calls are outrageously expensive, the mail will arrive after you return, and Internet hookups are affordable. See above for details.
When in a foreign country you must follow their laws. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, so if you even think something is illegal do not try it. If you get in trouble, I will not be able to help you, you will fail the class, and it will be up to you with help from the local U.S. Consulate to get you home at your expense.
The legal drinking age in Germany and Turkey is 18. Alcohol is widely available in restaurants and stores. But public drunkenness is not tolerated anywhere. Therefore, feel free to sample the local drinks, but do so in great moderation. If you want a drinking party, save $4000 and do it in Menomonie.
Europeans are generally more knowledgeable about history and politics than
Americans. For example, most will know our president, vice president, and secretary
of state, but do you know theirs? Most Germans and Turks do not like George
Bush and oppose the war in Iraq. If you enter a political discussion, keep it
civil and do not try to change someone’s opinion. Some historic background
to help you understand these countries:
German
history
Turkish
history
You will be treated better and fit in better if you attempt to follow local
customs. Try not to be “loud” in dress or mannerisms, and expect
to be permitted less personal space. Observing the locals is a good start. Here
again, Europeans know all about American music, movies, and television, but
we know little of their culture. Turkey is politically secular but culturally
Islamic, so see the following site for guidelines:
Religion in
Turkey
Tips
for women traveling in Turkey
There are more things to visit than you will have time for, so you should prioritize
what you want to see before you leave. Reading up on sites or bringing a detailed
tour book (or web site printouts) are often a good cheap substitute for a paid
guide and will significantly enhance your experience. I will bring Lonely
Planet (my favorite) for Germany and Turkey. Specific places to visit are:
Karlsruhe
sites
Istanbul
sites – we will be staying in the Sultanahmet neighborhood
Europeans and Middle Easterners treat dinner as more of social occasion than
a way to get fed. You will insult your hosts if you refuse to sample their foods.
German cuisine is the basis of most of what we eat in Wisconsin. Turkish cuisine
is considered one of the world’s great cuisines. You need to learn what
types of food to expect, what they are called on menus, and what you think you
would like to try. If you are a picky eater, this will be the most challenging
part of the trip. If you are adventurous, this should be the highlight of the
trip. Food information:
German
cuisine – we will be in the Baden-Württemberg region
Turkish
Cuisine
Prices will be very expensive in Germany but affordable in Turkey. In Istanbul
we will be near several bazaars which cater to tourists. If you plan to buy
apparel, learn your European clothing sizes. If you want to buy a carpet, let
me know; my wife has bought several. If you want to get a good price in Turkey,
you must learn to barter:
Clothing size conversion
chart
Bargaining
in Turkey
Many educated Germans and Turks speak English, but you will run into many people
who do not. You get better service in restaurants and prices in shops if you
know at least a few key phrases and greetings and can pronounce them reasonably.
See the following pages for basic phrases and learn a few. Personally I rank
“hello” (guten tag, merhaba) and “where is the toilet?”
(wo ist der toilette?, tuvalet/WC nerede?) as critical to memorize.
German
phrase guide
Turkish
language guide – learn at least the greetings (lessons 1 and 2 of
the 100 words)