Much more relaxed than I expected

Before going to Turkey, I was a little anxious about what to expect, especially as a woman travelling alone. But I had gone there to meet up with and stay with a local family, which made a big difference as they were incredibly welcoming. While I did spend time in some of the more touristy areas like Istanbul, I also visited less touristy areas outside Istanbul where I definitely stood out. People would sometimes look at me, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable or hostile, more out of curiosity. Being respectful, particularly in how I dressed, helped me feel more at ease. Learning some basic Turkish words/phrases definitely went a long way, and essential if you travel outside touristy areas. Overall, I felt relatively safe throughout the trip, and the experience ended up being much more relaxed than I expected and very rewarding.