More information for Meeting #61

Eclipse

Some information and images on the 2006 eclipse can be found on a Tulumba Travel web page.

Visa

Most of you belong to the category of visitors who need a tourist visa but can obtain it (upon payment of a fee) at the point of entry. If you're lucky, you don't need a visa at all. If you're really unlucky, you need to obtain a visa in advance in your country of residence. Check what category you're in on the official web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Note. If the page does not load in English, go back in your browser and click the link again.

For those who need to obtain their visa at the point of entry: the window(s) for doing that are before the passport control. Have the fee ready in euros or US dollars, or, if you're from the U.K., pounds Stirling.

Airport

There is a second international terminal with its own web site. At the time of writing, the links to other languages than Turkish are broken.

Antalya and Belek

Antalya is both the name of a city (pop. 1 million) and a province. Belek is the name of a village near the city of Antalya, both in the province Antalya.

Summer Time

Note that European Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time) goes into effect in the wee hours of Sunday March 26. This applies also for Turkey. The clock is then advanced by one hour. North America will follow one week later. If you're flying in from Europe on Sunday, make sure you've got the time right or you will miss your plane.

During the week of the meeting:

    20.00 pm in Turkey
    = 18.00 pm in Great Britain
    = 17.00 pm UTC
    = 12.00 noon EST
    =   9.00 am PST

Climate

At the coast, towards the end of March, the average temperature at noon is 19 °C (66 °F). It may, of course, actually be colder or warmer. Most days should be sunny, but there may be some rain. At night, the temperature will go down to about 9 °C (48 °F). Inland, higher up, it may be much cooler.

Electricity

Turkey has outlets of 230 V at 50 Hz. The sockets are the European (German) type, as shown in the picture.
Photos of power sockets

The one to the right is grounded. Don't forget to bring your plug adaptors.

Some DO's and DON'Ts

Do not look into the sun without approved eclipse-viewing equipment before totality sets in. As little as one second of unprotected "sun gazing" can already permanently damage your eyes. Photo of eclipse galsses

Do not enter a mosque with your shoes on. Women should cover their heads. Ask in advance if it is OK to enter. Avoid the Friday-prayer period.

Turks are generally friendly and hospitable. If you're offered a cup of tea, say, by all means feel free to accept it. It is an honestly friendly gesture, and nothing is expected in return.

(Like any other country, Turkey has its share of crooks and con-men, so don't let your guard down completely.)

Should you be invited into a private home, then it is polite to take off your shoes as you enter. Make sure to use your right hand to pick up any food you're offered.

Be careful with gestures. Some common Western gestures have a quite different meaning. To beckon someone, extend your arm towards the person, with the palm of the hand facing down; then repeatedly bend your four digits (but not the thumb), together, towards yourself. Other beckoning gestures than the one described will probably not be understood, and may, moreover, come across as rude.

TRY this Money: .000.000,00

Last year Turkey changed its currency, going from the "old" lira to the new lira (just like France did with the franc in the sixties). The conversion factor was: one million old liras = one new lira -- just scrap six zeros. Overnight, most Turks no longer were millionaires...

As of 1 January 2006, the new lira is the only currency in circulation. Designated TRY outside Turkey, you will see YTL (Yeni Türk Lirası) in Turkey. Unfortunately, not all Turks have made the required mental switchover, and you may see or hear price designations in the old currency. If a price is said to be "fifty thousand" and you're not buying a house, it is most likely 0,05 YTL. (In Turkey, like in many European countries, a decimal comma is used instead of a decimal point.)

Roughly, 1,00 YTL = € 0.67 = US$ 0.75. (So, for converting to euros, subtract one third of the amount; for dollars, one fourth).

One new lira is equivalent to 100 new kuruş (pronounced kooroosh).

If someone offers you change in old liras, refuse it. Demand new liras.

You can read everything about the security features of the new lira banknotes and coins in the New Turkish Lira brochure.

In tourist areas (like Antalya) there are ATMs and banks everywhere, and many shops and restaurants accept credit cards. It may be useful to have some pocket change, for example for visiting public restrooms, for tipping, or for taking a dolmuş.

Don't tip if you're unhappy with the service. A tip of 10% of the bill is normal. When paying with a credit card, it is best to leave the tip in cash.

Just say Higher

The Turkish for yes is evet (pronounced evvett; stress on the last syllable), while the Turkish for no is hayır (sounds like higher).

Nodding is an affirmative gesture. But shaking your head left to right is not commonly understood to mean a negative; rather, it suggests confusion or lack of understanding. Instead, if you want to gesture a no, tip your head briskly back, raising your chin: an anti-nod. Uttering a tsk sound at the same time confirms the negative intention. This is a common and not impolite way of saying no, thanks.

If you hear the Turkish word yok in a context where you expect a yes-or-no answer, it also means no.