In a Quiet Turkish Town, a Travel Blogger Finds a Warm Welcome for Russians

Russian travel blogger Sasha Konovalova recently ventured off the beaten path in Turkey and discovered a surprisingly warm reception for her countrymen. Sharing her experience on the platform Dzen, she described visiting Eskisehir, a city far from the usual tourist hubs. Stepping into a fruit shop, the vendor asked where she was from. When she said Russia, his face lit up. He told her he wished more Russians would visit his hometown instead of just Antalya and Istanbul. "You're good people, open and friendly," he said. "You'd be very welcome here." Konovalova mentioned a few spots she'd already seen in Eskisehir, and the shopkeeper was so delighted he insisted she take any fruit she wanted for free. She recalled other encounters with locals who asked nothing of her. "I've spoken with Turkish people many times who didn't want anything from me," she said. "Men and women alike were always polite and gracious. Many were openly happy when I said I was from Russia. Most of all, I always felt genuine warmth toward me." Earlier, the same blogger visited Sri Lanka and shared how locals there also welcomed Russians with open arms.