Dear N Architect
Your TR pulled me out of Lurkerdom.
I was puzzled by some of the responses by some of the SQTalkers. I did not get a chance to read the posts that were deleted. I suppose that would have explain lots. But hey, if it got too spicy, then yeah it is prob better on a blog haha.
However, I did read your summarized experiences in BUD. And I applaud you for the courage to write about it.
A year ago, I was in IST. And let's just say that what happens in BUD happens in IST. Let's just also say that the scams are very well rehearsed and practiced and yes the police are involved too. And so even if you think yourself to be a savvy world traveler, it can happen to you. Even if you are a Friend of Dorothy (go figure). Somehow for better or worse, they don't discriminate who they target.
An expat friend in IST told me I was lucky to be alive.
Yes you did not lose a kidney. And it is something to be thankful and to learn from. Til today, that experience in IST is prob the worst in all my years of traveling. I felt violated and in a rare moment, powerless, on many levels, and it still strikes fear when memory recalls the events.
If there is a vague upside: it could have been worse. Also, for me it is a story to pass to others. It is not yet another story from me about how fabulous my flights were or how the exec lounge girls were sooo nice. Life sometimes throws you curve balls, and it would be these that help you define who you are.
If this TR is different, I guess it is something to learn vicariously from. So thank you for writing, and posting such great pictures. It takes strength to expose oneself in an open forum at the risk of being judged (not that that happened here). I for one, and I am sure there are many others, appreciate your candor.
Be well.
Your TR pulled me out of Lurkerdom.
I was puzzled by some of the responses by some of the SQTalkers. I did not get a chance to read the posts that were deleted. I suppose that would have explain lots. But hey, if it got too spicy, then yeah it is prob better on a blog haha.
However, I did read your summarized experiences in BUD. And I applaud you for the courage to write about it.
A year ago, I was in IST. And let's just say that what happens in BUD happens in IST. Let's just also say that the scams are very well rehearsed and practiced and yes the police are involved too. And so even if you think yourself to be a savvy world traveler, it can happen to you. Even if you are a Friend of Dorothy (go figure). Somehow for better or worse, they don't discriminate who they target.
An expat friend in IST told me I was lucky to be alive.
Yes you did not lose a kidney. And it is something to be thankful and to learn from. Til today, that experience in IST is prob the worst in all my years of traveling. I felt violated and in a rare moment, powerless, on many levels, and it still strikes fear when memory recalls the events.
If there is a vague upside: it could have been worse. Also, for me it is a story to pass to others. It is not yet another story from me about how fabulous my flights were or how the exec lounge girls were sooo nice. Life sometimes throws you curve balls, and it would be these that help you define who you are.
If this TR is different, I guess it is something to learn vicariously from. So thank you for writing, and posting such great pictures. It takes strength to expose oneself in an open forum at the risk of being judged (not that that happened here). I for one, and I am sure there are many others, appreciate your candor.
Be well.
Comment