Guest Post by Barbara L. Alvarez: 'My Love to Antalya & Turkey'

When Antalya City Blog asked me a couple weeks ago to write about my love and connection to Turkey, a place that I have never ever been before had me thinking a lot, for days if am honest, because what could I write? What could I say of a culture that I really don't know like a native does, then I said why not? Maybe this is my chance to finally put the pieces together. Pieces that I'm trying to figure it out day by day. 

So here I go, my first attempt to write in my own words why my love, respect and connection with Turkey and for Turkey. 

Let's start saying that if you're a believer of past life's or DNA testing like I do, I'm the perfect candidate for a research because I'm 99.9% sure that I was Turkish in the past, even people ask me Are you Turkish? Have you been there before? Do you have Turkish descendants in your family? How do you know that? Did you really understand what they're saying? Well those questions are very normal to me specially these days where I let myself go after the answers I need to get. 

So saying that which other way you can explain me that I know, I feel, I understand, I respect and I love the culture, the language, the costumes, the land, the food, the people, the places, how can you explain me then? Maybe is deja vu or whatever you want to call it, how can you explain it to me that I feel peace deep within when I think of plant my roots in a land that to many people is not safe or good enough these day... What a joke right? because let's be honest who's safe now? NOBODY right? So every time I read or I hear the news saying something negative about a country that's not even mine hurts me deeply inside, when attacks or vicious news try to put down a population that in majority are so kind, warm and totally awesome hurts me, it really does, so not because a group of insurgents trying to destroy what's good means that everybody is the same way. So no that's totally wrong in my book that bothers me as much as people saying that all Muslims are terrorists or support terrorism, oh god give me patience to deal with those ignorant comments. 

Now let's not even talk about people, because who would it have told me that I was going to love my good friends Ceren, Nigar, Oznur and some others names I can't mention here, the way I love and care for them like they're my own family, nobody really because what started as a connection thought Instagram look where it took us. Oh did I mentioned before that we don't know each other personally yet? No? Well now you know .. That's the power of FaceTime, love or God's perfect plans of reason and lesson in life. Who would it have thought that I'm working my ways to learn a third language just because I'm going there next year on vacations and then when I finish some stuff here and there maybe plan a possible moving to Antalya or Istanbul ... Inşallah!! Yes, you did read correctly, move to Turkey. My family and friends believe I'm crazy, I really don't care what they think because if one thing i have learned in my almost 34 years of life is that you do what makes you whole and happy without worry about what others think, you can't pleased others and sacrifice your happiness just because. 

So that been said I do desperately want to move there, know how is it feels to enjoy a cup of tea by the ocean while a balmy breeze blows my hair, I want to feel how is it to wake up in Asia and end up your day in Europe, I want to know how is it feels to enjoy a real baklava with coffee while my friends are sitting next to me chatting by the peer, I want to know how is it feels to swing in the crystal waters of the sea and then lay down and enjoy the sun under a cabana in Antalya, I want to know how is it feels to be able to order a meal on a restaurant in fluent Turkish, I want to walk Beyoğlu, Bebek Ortaköy, ride a ferry, feed the birds and cats and dogs, i want to open my own business and develop my career there, I want to buy a house, I want to enjoy the sunsets by the ocean I am even open to the possibility of know what is it feels to fall in love, i want to teach my son to love and respect turkey the same way I do, in general i want so many things and all of them I want them there. 

So when you think of a woman that was born in Venezuela raised in Colombia and proud American that dream of living in Turkey so she can spend the rest of her adult years, think of me, because that's one of my dreams and I know I'll make it real. So Turkey, wait for me, stay strong and free because one day soon I'll be proud of calling you my home, my heart, my country...inşallah!!!!

Thank you so much for the opportunity again. 

You can follow Barbara on Twitter: 

@Barbylore 

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Specıal Guest Post from Emmy van Woggelum

 Antalya City Blog's Surprises Continue. After Dutch Social Media Specialist Peter Langela, Austrian Business Consultant in Marketing & Advertising Ernst Koch, Editor of GM Tourism and Management Magazine Sabriye Çay, and Famous Professional Animation Manager and Tourism Manager Eren Güngör, Antalya City Blog Presents the Special Interview with Emmy van Woggelum who is the Customer Care Manager for a Dutch Tour Operator. We Asked Her A Few Questions About Antalya and Our Blog.

 

 

 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Emmy and I am from Holland, in Holland I live in the city of  The Hague what’s also located at the sea. I graduated a long time ago as social worker but this season I am in Turkey for a long business trip. The most important thing for me in life is to be happy in whatever you do! 

 

 

What is the meaning of Antalya for you?

The first thing that’s come to mind is the airport! Because I am travelling a lot in Turkey for work I come in Antalya a lot because of the international airport. Many guests arrive here for Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Alanya, Side etc. Furthermore because in Holland I live in a similar city as Antalya I immediately feel at home when I arrive! I love the shopping for example in Terra City and love to swim at the beach of Konyaaltı.

What is your favorite activity in Antalya?

Where to begin….. There are many. As mentioned before I really love to shop in Antalya. Going to the beach at Konyaaltı is also one of my favorites. Saying that I also really enjoy walking along the beautiful coastline in Lara.

Do you have a memorable moment ever in Antalya?

Yes definitely, one time a spent a whole night talking sitting at the jetty in the harbor. I enjoyed the view and company so much that I will never forget that. Looking over the sea with the moonlight in it is so romantic and when you look behind you see all the lights of the city.

 

What do you want to see in the city of Antalya?
 
Many times I stayed in Lara but i have never actually seen the waterfalls, probably when i will visit next time i will go there. Also on my to do list is walking through the Kaleiçi during the day! Now i’ve only visited at night because of work but next time i will make some free time to visit it during the day.

  
What do you think about Antalya City Blog?
 
 

I think, Antalya City Blog is a great initiative and definetly something that promotes Antalya throught the media that's used the most these day; the Internet! So keep up the good work and make sure you are featured as much possible at other websites.

 

Thanks to Emmy van Woggelum for taking the time to answer these questions for Antalya City Blog (dank u).

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Special Interview with Eren Güngör

Antalya City Blog's Surprises Continue. After Dutch Social Media Specialist Peter Langela, Austrian Business Consultant in Marketing & Advertising  Ernst Koch, and Editor of GM Tourism and Management Magazine Sabriye Çay, Antalya City Blog Presents the Special Interview with Eren Güngör who is the Famous Professional Animation Manager and Tourism Manager. We Asked Him A Few Questions About Antalya and Our Blog.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

In 1987, I met with tourism. My Antalya adventure began in 1989, and is still ongoing, as you see, as well as full swing. I was born for the animation. I still miss the scenes. Hearing applause brings pleasure people. I have started my career in ALDA Club Beldibi and later worked in various facilities such as Simena Holiday Village, Novotel Turquoise, Sunrise Resort, Hillside Beach Club, and Kaya Group Hotels in Antalya. In 1996, I was assistant presenter at Hulya Avsar Show on Show TV. 

Firstly, I became EVP, and the following year I became GM. Of course firsts are always the unforgettable. The hotel is in a mountain, Dorukaya. And this time, I continue my career as a GM at Marco Polo, Kemer Resort, again Sunrise Resort, and finally at the Titanic Beach Resort.

What kind of difficulties or problems are there in your sector?

I think the problems of our profession at the same rate to tourism. There is the problem of trained staff in the sector. Especially young people no longer want to be animators. If you knew one or two languages, even if you get a little better perspective on life would you choose to remain unemployed for 6 months?

In the past, animation was easy to make money, but now it is very difficult. The reason is hidden within the all-inclusive system, because of this, bars and discos do not make business with animators. Moreover, animation team always spends the money.

But if you ask me;

F & B + Entertainment = Customer satisfaction.  We learned it in this way in the university.

Everything is changing and developing in the world, also has its price.

 

What is the best thing to do in Antalya according to you?

 
There are so many things to do in Antalya which style you like, in fact, the pattern would be more accurate. This place is a museum inside the city's history-steeped is not even a city.

What does not grab anything from waterfalls to hike in the mountains? In fact be surprised to look anywhere in this city is rich in scenery. Need to bear in mind that other Tekirova another beautiful arch, Manavgat another, and Alanya is quite beautiful. The problem here that I think is already starting where you are and how you will promote the city.

 

How do you see the future of Antalya?

 
Antalya has a very bright future that we see already. If you ask why, there is a thriving tourism and figures show it. The facilities are already proving that life here, I guess. If Antalya is not a flourishing place, it probably is not much investment.

When you look at the city center of Antalya, you can see the difference of Antalya from other cities. In addition, there are super-new activities in Antalya.

 

What do you think about Antalya City Blog?

 

Antalya City Blog is very successful. Words cannot explain the success of Antalya City Blog. Therefore, it gives me and all other Antalians pleasure to follow Antalya City Blog.

Thanks to Eren Güngör for taking the time to answer these questions for Antalya City Blog (Teşekkürler)

 

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Exclusive Interview With GM Tourism and Management Magazine's Editor Sabriye Çay

Antalya City Blog's Surprises Continue. After Dutch Social Media Specialist Peter Langela and Austrian Business Consultant in Marketing & Advertising  Ernst Koch, Antalya City Blog Presents the Exclusive Interview with Sabriye Çay Who is the Editor of GM Tourism and Management Magazine. We Asked Her A Few Questions About Antalya and Our Blog.

1)     Can you tell us a little about yourself?  

     I was born in Antalya in 1983. I completed my elementary and high school education in Antalya. In 2003, I entered the Department of Press and Publication of Faculty of Communication Sciences of Anadolu University. I spent five years in Eskisehir for education. I was an intern in Sabah Akdeniz Newspaper during my second year at the University. Working at a magazine seems like the dream job for me when I was in the university. After university, I entered the magazine sector through Antalya High Life and Antalya Life Magazine which are the first magazines of Antalya. After two years of experience in magazine and actual magazines, since 2009, I serve successfully as the editor of GM Tourism and Management Magazine which is Turkey's first and only Tourism and Management Magazine. I am passionate about my job, I love to spend time with my family and friends. In short, I am full of life.

As the most people say in the zodiac world that Aries women are energetic, brave, hardworking and friendly. I think I am also like that.

2)    What is the meaning of Antalya for you?

Antalya is a corner of paradise for me with old town which smells history, Konyaalti Beach as its the clearest blue form, and Karain Cave which brings us to the depths of the secrets of the past. There is so much to be said for Antalya as in the words of the Great Leader Ataturk "Antalya is undoubtedly the most beautiful place in the world."

3)    What is your favorite activity in Antalya?
 

My favorite activity in Antalya is drinking a cup of Turkish tea on the cliffs of Lara and watching the sun go down through the mountains. Antalya is a city so that offers many activities for anyone who wants a calm and peaceful environment to relax or anyone who wants to have fun.

4) What do you want for Antalya?

Antalya is the capital of tourism which brings together different cultures from many countries. With the pleasure of cool plateaus, deep blue sea, kayaking and rafting, you can live beauty of this city all together in four-season, of course, as there are shortcomings. For example, the Expo 2016 will be held in Antalya which will contribute to promoting cultural, commercial, architectural and many other aspects of Antalya and Turkey. However, our parliament did not make an EXPO Law for Expo 2016 Antalya. This situation makes me sad.

 

Hopefully, we get a result together as soon as possible and begin to prepare for such an organization like Expo 2016 which is important for our city to perform the best.

5)    What do you think about Antalya City Blog?

Antalya City Blog is a successful site where you can find everything you are looking about Antalya and it suits for Antalya where the capital of tourism is. In addition, Antalya City Blog completes the gap of promotion of Antalya. As an Antalian, thanks to Antalya City Blog on behalf of our people and I wish success. 

Other Great Antalya Photos by Sabriye Çay

Thanks to Sabriye Çay for taking the time to answer these questions for Antalya City Blog (Teşekkürler)

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A Special Guest Post by Ernst Koch

Antalya City Blog has another big surprise. After Social Media Specialist Peter Langela, our second special guest is Ernst Koch from Austria. He loves Antalya and we asked him a few questions about Antalya and our blog.

      Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Ernst Koch, I am Austrian, 51 years. I am business consultant in Marketing & Advertising, Financial, Real Estates, Art...

What is the meaning of Antalya for you?

I came for holiday to Antalya and to see my best friend & Reiki teacher Sahin (www.reikimeister-sahin.com [we set up a new page at the moment]), who lives in Antalya and has also his practice rooms here in Antalya Muratpaşa. It seems to be, that I’ll stay here to work with Sahin together & so I can help many people to feel good and to become healthy again.

What is your favorite activity in Antalya?

I am improving my Reiki- &Bio-energy treatments, study spiritual healing techniques, meditation, doing sport (first of all swimming in the sea), and enjoying every day.

Do you have a memorable moment ever in Antalya?

I was in Antalya for the first time in December 2006 and I was surprised, because it was very cold. I am impressed by the kindness of the people here in Antalya.

What do you think about Antalya City Blog?

The Antalya City Blog is very good made. I saw it and just liked it. Good Design & content!

Other Great Antalya Photos by Ernst Koch

Our Special Thank You to Ernst Koch for writing to us as our special guest author! (Danke)

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A Special Guest Post by Peter Langela

Antalya City Blog has a big surprise. Our special guest is Peter Langela from the Netherlands. He loves Antalya and we asked him a few questions about Antalya and our blog.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

   

My name is Peter Langela, 50 years, married, 6 kids, live in Losser, the Netherlands and parttime in Antalya, Turkey.  In the year 2000 I founded Starsale B.V. in The Netherlands, a company for the development of professional websites, web applications, mobile applications and the professional use of social media.

My target focus is on mobile application and social media. Every month I give workshops and  presentations for entpreneurs, business associations and managers.

In the Netherlands I host the business talkshow ‘Twente Onderneemt’ (www.twenteonderneemt.tv) on local TV station ‘TV Enschede’. Every week I talk to local business owners, politicians  and managers from the public sector about working, living and doing business in the region of Twente.

What is the meaning of Antalya for you?

In 2003 I visited Antalya for the first time for a private holiday with my wife and I was impressed of this beautyfull and dynamic city. In 2006 my company researched for an international location to outsource software development and to find a 2nd market for Starsale B.V. We researched many countries including India, China, Romania and Turkey. The choice was Turkey because of the fast growing economy, the good educational system and the good availability of young software developers.

In Turkey we contacted with several Teknokent’s in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. Antalya Teknokent responded immediately and could convince us to visit and this is how we started in Antalya. In May 2006 we started the business here and since then Antalya became my second home town.

From the region Twente in Enschede we can choose from 6 airports with over 10 direct flights per day to Antalya. Our office in Antalya is closer by than many people can imagine. 

What is your favorite activity in Antalya?

I come every month for about one week to Antalya. In the beginning I feel and behave like a tourist but in between I experience the city as a local. In The Netherlands I attend weekly Turkish lessons and bit by bit I understand the language. My favorite activity in Antalya is get lost in Antalya and discover new amazing places every time again. 

Do you have a memorable moment ever in Antalya?

  In the past 6 years I have many memorable moments from Antalya. 

What do you think about Antalya City Blog?

   

Antalya City Blog is a good initiative and a good source for everyone who is interested in Antalya. I often forward the  articles to my network via social media and via mail. I keep following you!

Other Great Photos by Peter Langela 

Our Special Thank You to Peter Langela for  writing to us as our special guest author! (Dank U)

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