Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
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Notes -
I spent about that long trapped in Istanbul with a flight delay, and since it was daylight hours and I was young and stupid, I had an entire adventure in the city with no map, phone, or plan. I took a train/subway by myself for the first time! Crossed the Bosphorus! (by accident) Found a tourist friendly shopping district! Ate Turkish delight! It would have been improved by a public transportation tourism map.
I also spent a night under the care of the Dubai airport, and they actually have a special bus tour for the occasion at no extra cost, which also runs during the night. I stuck my hand in the sea! Saw a hotel with a shark aquarium and fancy escorts! Listened to an announcer describe the city! Saw the tallest building out the window! That was a major improvement on the "letting naive American girls loose on the city" strategy.
You did the right thing lol. Istanbul is a great city (for tourists) with great food. Hope you didn't eat at the airport.
I live in Dubai, so I never really saw it from a tourists pov, but yeah they do have many end-end services for tourists for things such as flight delays, etc are really smooth. Dubai does many things wrong, but its airport isn't one of them, its always a smooth experience.
Both IST and DXB are in very safe cities and there is nothing to worry about even if you are a "naive" American woman. If you know how to watch your back in NYC or Philly, you can in most cities.
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