About İstanbul
We all know how hard it is to move to a different country. Even though some companies help us with the general problems like finding a nice house, settling the kids in an appropriate school, getting a car (and a driver) to go around, the success of an expat adaptation depends on our own personal effort as well. Sooner or later it comes to the point where getting used to the new city or feeling misplaced is completely up to us. To help in overcoming the "cultural clash" or the feeling of "missing old friends", there is nothing better than getting engaged in something.
Learn Turkish
Talk to the neighbors
Join a Sports club
Learn Turkish:
A personal teacher that teaches you at home is a quite comfortable manner of learning Turkish, but there is also a much more challenging and funny way of doing it: attending a course. Sitting in a class with other foreign students is a great way of making new acquaintances and finding a social life. You can join them after class for a tour in town. Fortunately in Istanbul there are some prestigious and reliable language schools.
EF Language Centre: Address - Aydin Sok., No:12, F.Block, 1.Levent, Istanbul,
Contact - Nati Zaporozhets , (0212) 282 90 64-65; http://www.turkishlesson.com
Dilmer : Address - Inonu Cad. Prof. Dr. Tarik Zafer Tunaya Sok. No:18 80090 Taksim
Telephone - (0212) 292 96 96 ; http://www1.dilmer.com/
Tomer: Address - Cumhuriet Mah. Abidei Hurriyet Sokak No: 43, Sisli
Telephone - (0212) - 230708384; http://www.tomer.ankara.edu.tr/
Talk to the neighbors: Turkish people are very friendly and open-minded. They will immediately respond with a smile if you give them a look. Take the opportunity to invite them for tea, or present them with a "nice-to-meet-you" apple pie. Even if they don't speak English you can be sure they will make a huge and honest effort to understand what you mean. Consider the idea of dropping nice "key words" in Turkish for a better communication (look at the box below) and employing mimics' tactics. If you look pathetic, don't worry, comedy is the best way to make break the ice.
Key words:
Hello - Merhaba!
Bye, bye - Görüşürüz.
How are you? - Nasılsınız?
I'm fine, thanks. - iyiyim, teşekkürler.
Please - Lütfen.
Thank you - Teşekkür ederim.
When? - Ne zaman?
Where? - Nerede?
How much - Ne kadar?
Yes - Evet.
No - Hayır.
How nice! - Çok güzel!
GYM
Is there anything better than getting fit and making friends at the same time? Attending a gym studio will make you a lot more confident in many aspects. Besides looking great, you will get used to listening to Turkish (and then will easily overcome the very common among newcomers "panic-of-not-understanding" syndrome) and, again, you will make new acquaintances. There are many good places in Istanbul for exercising, the ones listed below are some examples:
European side:
Motus Wellness Club
Address - Abdi Ipekci Cad.33, Nisantasi
Telephone -0212 - 291 52 82 ; http://www.motus.com.tr
Mayadrom Sports Center
Address - Otlukbeli Caddesi, Yol Sokak, 16/17/28 Maya Residence, Etiler
Telephone - 0212 -(212) 352 3200
Asian side:
Xpace
Address - Bağdat Caddesi, 493, Tel: 0 216 478 11 01
Here you will find useful telephone numbers
and information in Turkey:
Emergency numbers and how to call by mobile
General numbers and how to call by mobile
International country codes and how to make international calls
Intercity codes and how to make long distance direct dial in Turkey
Consulates
Cultural Centres
Intercity coaches
Train stations
Ferry boats
Airlines
Hospitals
A selection of five star hotels
GENERAL
Item Number
Directory Enquiries 118
Code Inquiries 119
Intercity Operator 131
International Operator 132
Telephone Repairs 121
Wake Up Service 135
Water Service 185
Electric Service 186
Gas Service 187
HOW TO CALL
GENERAL NUMBERS BY MOBILE PHONE
0 + ( your Area Code - 212 or 216 ) + XXX ( General Number ) + 0000
Example calling Directory Enquiries from European side of Istanbul :
0 - 212 - 118 - 0000
EMERGENCY
Place Number
Fire (Yangyn) 110
Ambulance 112
Police Emergency (Polis) 155
Pharmacy (Nobetçi Eczaneler) 011
HOW TO CALL
EMERGENCY NUMBERS BY MOBILE PHONE
0 + ( your Area Code - 212 or 216 ) + XXX ( Emergency Number ) + 0000
Example calling the Police from Asyan side of Istanbul :
0 - 216 - 155 - 0000
INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY CODES
Country Code
Argentina 54
Australia 61
Austria 43
Bangladesh 880
Belgium 32
Bosnia Herzegovina 387
Brazil 55
Bulgaria 359
Canada 1
China (P.R.) 86
Colombia 57
Croatia 38
Czech Republic 420
Denmark 45
Ecuador 593
Egypt 20
Finland 358
France 33
Germany 49
Greece 30
Honduras 504
Hong Kong 852
Hungary 36
Iceland 354
India 91
Indonesia 62
Iran 98
Iraq 964
Ireland (Rep.) 353
Ireland (Northern) 44
Israel 972
Italy 39
Japan 81
Jordan 962
Kenya 254
Korea, Republic of 82
Kuwait 965
Lebanon 961
Luxembourg 352
Malaysia 60
Mexico 52
Netherlands, The 31
New Zealand 64
Norway 47
Pakistan 92
Peru 51
Phillipines 63
Poland 48
Portugal 351
Romania 40
Russian Fed. 7
Saudi Arabia 966
Serbia 38
Singapore 65
Slovakia 421
Slovenia 38
South Africa 27
Spain 34
Sweden 46
Syria 963
Switzerland 41
Taiwan 886
Turkey 90
Turkish Rep. Northern Cyprus 392
United Arab Emirates 971
United Kingdom 44
United States 1
Uruguay 598
Venezuela 58
FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS
(International Circuits Code) + XX ( Country Code ) + XX (City/Area Code) + Tel. Number
Example : 00 - 44 - 171 - 123 4567
INTERCITY CODES
City Code
Adana 322
Ankara 312
Antalya 242
Bolu 374
Bursa 224
Diyarbakyr 412
Erzurum 442
Eskişehir 222
Mersin (Içel) 324
Istanbul (European Side) 212
Istanbul (Asian Side) 216
Izmir 232
Izmit (Kocaeli) 262
Manisa 236
Nevşehir 384
Samsun 362
Şanlyurfa 414
Trabzon 462
Van 432
LONG DISTANCE DIRECT DIAL IN TURKEY
0 + XXX ( City Code ) + Telephone Number
Example : 0 - 332 - 123456
CONSULATES
Consulate Telephone Number
Australia 257 7050
Austria 262 9315
Belgium 243 3300
Bosnia & Herzegovina (Rep. of) 245 1616
Brazil (Honorary) 252 8772
Bulgaria 269 2216
Canada 251 9838
Chile 245 0183
China (People's Rep. of) 299 2631
Columbia (Honorary) 279 9828
Czech Republic 230 9597
Denmark 359 1900
Egypt 263 6038
Finland 283 5737
France 293 2460
Germany 334 6100
Greece 245 0596
Hungary 225 5501
India 296 2128
Iran 513 8230
Iraq 230 2930
Ireland 246 6025
Israel 317 6500
Italy 243 1024
Japan 251 7605
Lebanon 236 1365
Libya 251 8100
Malaysia 247 1728
Mexico 227 3500
Netherlands 393 2121
Norway 249 9753
Pakistan 233 5801
Poland 240 7956
Portugal (Honorary) 251 9118
Romania 292 4125
Russian Federation 244 2610
Saudi Arabia 281 9140
Singapore 358 0133
Slovak Republic 227 3067
South Africa 275 4793
Spain 270 7410
Sweden 243 5770
Switzerland 259 1115
Syria 232 6721
Thailand 231 1585
Turkish Rep. Northern Cyprus 227 3490
Ukraine 252 5402
United Kingdom 293 7540
United States 251 3602
United Arab Emirates 279 6349
Yugoslavia 248 1133
CULTURAL CENTRES
Aksanat Cultural Center 252 3500
American Cultural Office 251 2589
Atatürk Cultural Centre 251 5600
Austrian Cultural Office 223 7843 / 44
Babylon Performance Center 292 7368
Beşiktaş Cultural Centre 260 1156
Bir Arts & Culture Center 291 2871
Borusan Arts & Culture Center 292 0655
British Council 249 0574 & 252 7478
Casa d'Italia 293 9848
Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall 240 5012
French Cultural Centre 249 0776 & 252 0262
Garanti Bankasi Guncel Culture Center 233 2238
German Cultural Centre 249 2009
Greek Cultural Centre 245 0596
Harbiye Cultural Centre 233 2720
Is Bank Culture Center 316 1560
Istanbul Foundation for Culture & Arts 334 0700
Italian Cultural Centre 293 9848
Iznik Training & Education Foundation 287 3243
Japan Cultural Center 293 3249
KUSAV (Foundation for Fine Arts & Culture) 262 3433
Turkish Cultural Dance Theater 517 8692
Yapi Kredi Cultural Center 293 3710
Spanish Cultural Centre 245 3857
HOSPITALS
Hospital Telephone Number
American Hospital 311 2000
Cerrahpaşa 588 4800
Etfal Hospital (Şişli) Emergency 231 2209
Florence Nightingale (Şişli) 212 8811
French Hospital (La Paix)
Psychological & Neurological 246 1020
German Hospital 293 2150
International Hospital 663 3000
Istanbul Tip Fakültesi (Çapa) 534 0000
Italian Hospital 292 9000
Jewish Hospital 635 9280
Marmara University Hospital 327 1010
Memorial Hospital 210 6666
Metropolitan Fl. Nightingale 288 3400
INTER-CITY COACHES
Inter-city Coach Telephone Number
Kamil Koç 252 7223/24
Nev Tur 658 0771
Pamukkale 249 2791
Ulusoy Seyahat 249 4373
Varan 251 7481
TRAINS
Train Station Telephone Number
Haydarpaşa Station 336 0475 & 348 8020
Sirkeci Station 527 0051/50
FERRY BOATS
Ferry Boat Telephone Number
Turkish Maritime Lines 249 9222
Sea Buses 0216 336 8819 & 348 8020
Marine Taxi (Bebek) 287 1121
AIRLINES
Airline Telephone Number
Atatürk International Airport 663 6400
Adria Airways / Air Bosnia 512 4231
Air Canada 334 2920
Air France 256 4356 & 663 0600
Air Malta 230 4884
Air Maroc 231 7121
Alia (Jordanian Airlines) 230 4074 & 663 6736
Alitalia 231 3391 & 663 0577
American Airlines 219 8223
Austrian Airlines 232 2200 & 663 0707
Azerbaycan Airlines 245 1852
Balkan (Bulgarian) Airlines 245 2456
British Airways 234 1300 & 663 0574
Cathay Pacific Airlines 663 4098
Czech Airlines 230 4832
Delta Airlines 231 2339 & 663 0752
Egypt Air 231 1126 & 663 3301
El Al (Israeli Airlines) 246 5303 & 663 0810
Emirates Airlines 229 5050 & 663 0827
Finnair 234 5130
Gulf Air 231 3450 & 663 0825
Iberia (Spanish Airlines) 237 3104 & 663 0826
Iran Air 225 0255 & 663 0755
JAL (Japanese Airlines) 233 0840
Jata (Yugoslav Airlines) 293 2894
KLM (Dutch Airlines) 230 0311 & 663 0603&4
KTHY (N. Cyprus Tksh. Air) 267 0973 & 663 0759
Kuwait Airlines 240 4081 & 663 0581
Lot (Polish Airlines) 240 7927
Lufthansa (German Airlines) 288 1050 & 663 0594
Malev (Hungarian Airlines) 241 0909 & 663 0589
MAS (Malaysian Airlines) 230 7130 & 663 0814
Middle East Airlines 248 2241 & 663 0550
Olympic Airways 247 3701 & 663 0820
PIA (Pakistani Airlines) 223 0571 & 663 0521
Qantas (Australian Airlines) 219 8223
Sabena (Belgian Airlines) 231 2844 & 663 0824
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) 296 6660 & 663 0818
Saudi Arabian Airlines 256 4800 & 663 0582
Singapore Airlines 232 3706
Swissair 232 2200 & 663 6778
South African Airways 334 2900
Syrian Air 246 1781 & 663 0815
Tarom (Romanian Airlines) 230 7309
Thai Airways 334 2950 & 663 6781
Tunis Air 241 7096/97
Turkmenistan Airlines 233 9306
TWA 234 5327
Turkish Airlines (THY) 252 1106 & 230 1817
(THY Airport) 663 6363 (20 lines)
US Airways 232 5205
VARIG (Brazilian Airlines) 2410247
VASP(Brazilian Airlines) 293 4227
A SELECTION OF FIVE STAR HOTELS
Hotel Telephone Number
Ceylan Inter-Continental 231 2121
Çırağan Palace Hotel - Kempinski 258 3377
Conrad International 227 3000
Crowne Plaza 560 8100
Dedeman 274 8800
Divan 231 4100
Eresin Topkapy 631 1212
Four Seasons Hotel 638 8200
Hilton 231 4650
Hyatt Regency 225 7000
Istanbul Princess (Maslak) 285 0900
Marine Princess 885 9000
Merit Antique 513 9300
Ortaköy Princess 227 6010
Renaissance Polat 663 1700
Radisson 425 7333
Swissôtel The Bosphorus 259 0101
The Marmara 251 4696
The Ritz-Carlton 334 4444
Turkish Proverb/Atasoz:
Kurt kocayınca köpeğin maskarası olur. "When a wolf gets old dogs make fun of him" When one gets old, younger people may find her/him amusing. But that still doesn't change the fact that older people are wiser. (Wolves are highly regarded in Turkish literature, so a dog would be inferior to a wolf)
GREAT LINES HEARD IN THE GRAND BAZAAR
Compiled by Barbara Schwarz in enthusiastic collaboration with Holly Hartquist, Krista Sensurucu, Ginger Tinsley, and Shirley Topham
Photos by Barbara Schwarz
Dear Friends and Fellow Avid Shoppers:
On a recent outing to the Kapalicarsi, we were, to varying degrees, accosted by over-eager salesmen with creative improvisations on the usual "Where do you come from?" "Let me help you spend your money," or "Now it's my turn." On a quick walk through with enough critical mass of dedicated shoppers to discourage outright hawking, we heard the following one-liners that either brought on a pique or a smile - you be the judge:
Are you lost? May I help you?
I know you!
Buy one, get one free.
You don't remember me?
I have the best you're going to find.
Do you need something for your mother-in-law?
You look like a carpet buyer [NOT "carpetbagger" as our Southerner first thought].
You've dropped something!
Make my day.
I've been waiting. . .
I am still here. . .
Hello, Golden Girls! [But did they mean "golden years" or "golden locks"?]
Now, we ask you, have you heard anything better during a shopping spree any place else in the world?
Contrary to local recommendations, our consensus on how best to respond is to smile and keep walking if you're not interested. No need to growl or frown or whatever. Remember, occasionally one of these vendors might actually help you, even if it's only to refresh you with a free cup of hot Turkish coffee, tea, or apple tea - or on rare occasions to provide you with the object of your quest, or give you valuable directions to where you might find it - often in your native language.
With the right attitude, you move beyond the noisy street performers to become acquainted with superior proprietors who generously share their extraordinary expertise. It is often difficult to convince the casual tourist that what at first appears to be a chaotic jumble of people and things is actually a well run, highly professional shopping market with hundreds of years of history. Kapalicarsi vendors generally have a long history in the bazaar and will often seemingly bend over backwards to satisfy the needs of their customers. If they don't have it right now, come back in an hour and they will.
Negotiations become a mutually rewarding game that makes department store shopping seem lackluster and impersonal. It is precisely the interpersonal relationships and the reputation of the seller (as an honest, trustworthy individual) that can make shopping at any bazaar so rewarding.
PS: First reply to "have you heard anything better" came from Ginger during draft stage by way of the souks of Egypt, starting with "Looking is free in my shop". Another time Ginger was walking through with a friend and her husband and heard a shopkeeper say, "A lucky man to have two wives!" to which the quick-witted spouse responded, "Yes, but it's twice the trouble!" On another trip she went with a friend's college-aged daughter, who was asked by a young shopkeeper, "Do you believe in love at first sight?" Each time they passed, he had another quip. Undeterred when the father accompanied them, he asked, "Would you like me to become your son-in-law?"
PPS: Actually, we've heard similar phrases here. Do you suppose an international manual for bazaar tactics exists or do these overtures travel by word of mouth or miraculously by magic carpet?
Lawyer Article
Over the course of the last two years we have written a number of articles for the Lale to make the lives of the members of the IWI slightly less stressful in Turkey. A number of members have contacted us asking specific questions about the legal problems they have faced. We felt that it might be useful to share some of these problems in a question and answer column for this year since many of them are very commonly asked. Please feel free to send in your legal questions to info@akincilaw.com. We're always here to help!
Ziya and Karen Akinci
Akinci Law Office
Nişantaşı
Q. I want to set up a company to market and sell artwork in Turkey, what kind of company should I set up and how much capitol do I need to have to start off?
A. In practice, Limited Liability Company (LLC) and Joint Stock Companies are the most preferred company types. The distinctive characteristics of LLC's are that you need at least two founders, a minimum capitol of 5,000 YTL where shares are in multiples of 25 YTL and there needs to be at least one director. For a Joint Stock Company you need at least 5 founders, a minimun capitol of 50,000 YTL, a Board of at least 5 Directors and at least one Auditor.
Although the setting up procedures are simillar and both types of companies enjoy almost the same tax advantages, we would suggest that you establish a Limited Liability Company. Since you only need two shareholders the decision making process is much easier in an LLC, and decisions are taken at General Meetings rather than by calling a meeting of the Board of Directors in a JSC.
Q. I came to Turkey on a tourist visa but I would like to find a job and stay. What do I have to do?
A. Foreigners who enter Turkey with a valid short or long-term visa, or with a visa exemption, and wish to stay in Turkey, need to apply for a residence permit. Residence permits are issued by the local Turkish Foreign Office of the nearest city to the address you will be living at. EU citizens are granted priority and certain advantages when obtaining a residence permit.
If you would like to work in Turkey then you have to obtain a work permit before you start to work. Normally work permits are valid for at most one year unless ther is a specific agreement between your country and Turkey allowing longer permits. After the first year, the duration of the work permit may be extended on the condition that the worker continues working in the same workplace or enterprise and in the same job.
Applications for work permits are made to the Ministry of Labour in Ankara. Foreigners who have a valid residence permit in Turkey, are able to make their application directly to the Ministry of Labour. If you start the process from your own country you can make the application to the Turkish Embassy or Consulate there but, of course, the process is much quicker in Turkey. Again, as with obtaining a residence permit, EU citizens are afforded priority status and enjoy certain advantages when obtaining a work permit.
Q. I want to buy a car in Turkey, how do I go about it?
A. Foreigners residing abroad but living in Turkey for work, research or education, or even just visiting for other reasons can bring their own cars with them or purchase a car here. Some English language Turkish newspapers run ads for car sales to foriegners and these companies will often deal with the necessary paperwork. When you buy or bring a car to Turkey it has to be registered in the traffic registry in the same way that Turkish nationals do, however foreigners have a special plate (known as "Blue Plate" even though it isn't blue) which has the letter M on it (for "Misafir" meaning "Guest"). Foreign companies can also bring cars into Turkey.
The advantage of bringing your car from abroad or purchasing a blue plate car from a foreigner in Turkey is the "tax-free" benefit, meaning that you do not pay the initial VAT on the purchase of the car. However, "tax-free" does not mean you are exempted from all kinds of taxes. There is an annual motor vehicle tax, the private consumption tax and also the fees for the regular obligatory vehicle checks. If you do not pay these taxes they can add up and you may find yourself with a huge bill when you try to leave Turkey.
To register a Blue Plate car many documents are requested, the most important being the translation of the driving license approved by the notary or the embassy, your residence permit, a health report from the local hospital, a report from the Justice Department indicating you have no criminal record in Turkey and an expenditure receipt from the Ministry of Finance indicating you have no tax debt.
For the completion of the plate processes a plethora of documents are required, but thankfully these will often be taken care of by the car sales agent. Once the documents are collected together the process is quite expedient, but there are a number of different fees for the various documents and so forth.
Foreigners are not obliged to take advantage of the tax-free M plate cars, some decide to buy cars with the usual Turkish registration plate because they can then sell them on more easily whereas M-plate cars can only be sold to other foreigners.
Keep your questions coming!
Skiing in Turkey
It's not too early to begin exploring or revisiting some of Turkey's well known ski resorts or towns. Although the Alpine skiers among us might be disappointed, Turkey nevertheless has some tempting slopes. Almost all of the major resorts offer ski lifts, lessons, rentals as well as hotel accommodations and restaurants. These are two examples of resort towns within driving distance of Istanbul.
Kartalkaya (Bolu)- Rumored to be one of the least crowded and lovely resorts in Turkey, it?s a few hours drive from Istanbul. Many of the hotels have been renovated in the past years. It's also a very popular location for snowboarding. But don't forget to bring the snow chains and check the weather reports even into March!
Uludag (Bursa)- One of the most well-known resort towns. Beautiful views and friendly people make it worth while, though be prepared to wait in line and pay European rates. Also has a lot of available entertainment to fill the nights as well (discos, bars, live music). It?s recommended for beginner to intermediate skiers as the slopes may become quite crowded with novices and hinder the experts. Uludag is also a wonderful place to visit in warmer weather to picnic, hike, and explore the rich national park.
Most places naturally offer a first-aid service, however be prudent when skiing in Turkey! Stay on open, marked trails and if possible ski with a friend.
Visit http://www.goski.com/search/welcome.html?page=find&rorc=turkey for more information on these and other locations.