A picturesque photo and an interesting story, @Reisen . Family ties and homes, especially combined with low income, is a really strong reason to stay despite all the stress and dangers. In Ukraine, we don’t have volcanos but have an ongoing armed conflict, and many people do not leave their homes even though they are close to the hostilities and some houses were damaged. In fact, I also leave only 7 km from the hostility area. We often hear explosions. Luckily, our house was only insufficiently damaged in 2014, though the street was shelled later, too. So, I can understand that pretty well.
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Oh yeah, that’s right @Reisen
I was born in Germany/Berlin and spend also my highschool years as well as university time here in Turkey. I lived in the UK, in Albania, and spend an immense time in the rest of the Balkans.
It is as you can imagine nothing to say much as everything would be a generalization.
I can say so much that the life in the east is different then in the west, and the life in Istanbul is definitely more urbanized.
I am back here in Turkey since 3 years now but I was during these 3 years for half a year in London and lived in Greece in different cities. 
I can probably tell you more about the Greek culture the. about the Turkish culture. At least you’re more specific im what you want to know.
Where in the States do you live @Reisen ?
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@Reisen the island is so beautiful and I like it
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I grew up with this social fear of terrorist attacks during my highschool years here in Turkey @Reisen @YuliiaZa
Also İstanbul was affected by it. Still it is hard to find closed trash bins nut the same you’ll find in France now.
How war, terrorism ot poverty changes social habits is an interesting study. It stays for generations. The mothers of the 60’s and 70’s are still concerned if they hear people want to go to Taksim.
I studied in the east east of Turkey and saw poverty on first line. Unimaginable for someone living in western Europe.
I couldn’t change my University back in these days because there were too many violent demonstrations in the universities of Istanbul.
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@JacobLED Wow! I think I am interested in both Greek and Turkish Culture because I have never been to exposed to both of them. I heard a lot about Santorini, Greece and the famous turkish ice cream but that’s all I know.
I lived in Kentucky for a year then moved to Indiana and been here since 2017.
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@And12-X2 Thank you for your compliment!
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@JacobLED That is tough. I can’t imagine how hard life is especially the effects of war on people’s way of life and most of the time causes poverty and fear to a community. I commend you for being able to overcome that path of having social fear at a young age. That is hard to go through.
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Hello @Reisen ,
Santorini is of course the Creme de la Creme of Greece but if you want to learn about the culture, history and diversity of the Greek society I’d suggest you to visit Thessaloniki, Athens for sure the Albanian Greek border is an amazing rich nature, Corfu is very very beautiful as well.
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To be honest @Reisen I never had any problems by moving around or going to such places but as well, to be there meant less for me. Except some cool points. But the most places where not really nice to have fun. I must say it changed a lot regarding to club and bar culture but there are too many places still working dodgy. I don’t like that.
So you’re living in Kentucky. Sounds cool. Why did you choose Kentucky to live? I know there are too many different opinions about life in the States but this goes out exactly to that point you mentioned. You have to do to know how it is.
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@JacobLED I mean I used to live in Kentucky but I already moved to Indiana. I just live 5 minutes away from the bridge that connects Indiana to Kentucky. It did not really feel like there was a major change since I can go to Kentucky within 5 minute drive. But the laws are different. Some traffic regulations are different too.
Thank you for recommending a place to go in Greece for a culture experience. I hope I can visit it someday.
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@JacobLED I chose to transfer to Indiana because of my job. Before, I used to pay two taxes because of being in two states so I decided to live near where I work so I don’t have to pay penalties for living in another state and working in the other.
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So you like to drive as well @Reisen
I really miss it to travel long distances by car. The US must be more then perfect for that. I have even my routes by train and car on that great country.
Do you also travel by car?
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@JacobLED I like to drive but I am also afraid of the unexpected things that can happen while driving. Most highways here require vehicles to travel at high speed and sometimes, there are trucks who carry scary items like metal bars and sometimes they can fall off their truck and can fly to any car nearby. I don’t like driving next to trucks or on highways because I feel like anything can happen anytime. I would rather travel by plane or cruise. I enjoy sitting on a window seat on planes too. I have not tried cruising yet but I am hoping I can do that someday. I have not tried traveling to long distances on a train either so I am hoping I can also experience that someday. Do you always travel by train to get to another country?
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I really prefer the car as all control is in my hands @Reisen for that you have to surely check the maintenance of the car, check the engine, tires, oil and water etc.
A d to be prepared for the worst case always keep water and food in your car as while traveling you can stop anywhere and have everything with you.
I love trains as well but I usually take the plane for longer distances. I like any kind of travel. I’d love to travel with a friend by bicycle.
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@JacobLED That is true. With cars, the control is yours and that is indeed a good thing. I don’t really know a lot about how to repair a car so I am not good if in case it breaks down. That is a good tip. Thank you. I will always try to remember to bring food and water in any case I travel far. I am also a bad driver to be honest. I am not good in driving in long distances and even in driving in narrow roads.
I would like to try someday to travel by train in long distances or to other countries too!
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Me neither @Reisen . I’m really not good with repairs but I always let my car check by a mechanic before I start to drive.
Hey maybe we’ll have a ride in the States. I really want to tour the Route 66.
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@JacobLED I heard a lot about Route 66 that its the best way to see great stuff and pass by different states by car. But that is a very long drive though.
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**I know but once there and maybe never again it would be the best chance to use time valuably @Reisen **
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@JacobLED That is true! I would like to travel again soon once everything is back to normal.
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Me too @Reisen I am really looking forward for this time.
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