I haven't been there either.

I'm not certain if it is still the case but at one time, the US did have military bases in Turkey. Though if I recall correct Turkey would not allow the US to use Turkish territory as a staging area for Iraqi Freedom 2003.

And of course Kennedy agreed to remove USatomic/nuclear weapons from Turkey during the Cuban Missile Crisis period.

Too, I believe acceptance into the EU may have some modifying influence, if only in monetary policy. But others tell me the Europeanization of Turkey has influenced human rights to some extent.

Just trying to illustrate how Turkey is not a purely Islamic country. It's more secular than faith run; western than Islamic. And naturally, I would be interested in other first hand reports.

respects