Just Turkish

[JULIAFERNO 0]

It has been 3 months today that Onur has been in this "Administrative Processing". I am losing my mind! Why isn't the embassy or DOS held accountable to any sort of time frame? All they can tell us (including via an inquiry from my senator's office) is that the case is still pending/still under administrative review. This is so frustrating...and depressing.

[tanyakaraman 0]

So sorry Julia...I know how hard it is to be so far away from the one you love when all you want is to be together & it seems like it should be such a simple thing to ask for.

Unfortunately it seems there are few things that are simple or quick (or FAIR!) about this process. I guess the one & only silver lining is that with all the waiting & frustration, you never forget how precious a gift it is when you're finally together!

Sending wishes your way for some good news on your case in the near future...

Tanya

It has been 3 months today that Onur has been in this "Administrative Processing". I am losing my mind! Why isn't the embassy or DOS held accountable to any sort of time frame? All they can tell us (including via an inquiry from my senator's office) is that the case is still pending/still under administrative review. This is so frustrating...and depressing.

[JULIAFERNO 0]

So sorry Julia...I know how hard it is to be so far away from the one you love when all you want is to be together & it seems like it should be such a simple thing to ask for.

Unfortunately it seems there are few things that are simple or quick (or FAIR!) about this process. I guess the one & only silver lining is that with all the waiting & frustration, you never forget how precious a gift it is when you're finally together!

Sending wishes your way for some good news on your case in the near future...

Tanya

It has been 3 months today that Onur has been in this "Administrative Processing". I am losing my mind! Why isn't the embassy or DOS held accountable to any sort of time frame? All they can tell us (including via an inquiry from my senator's office) is that the case is still pending/still under administrative review. This is so frustrating...and depressing.

Thank you Tanya. I am sorry for being so negative...some days are better than others and I suppose today was not one of the better days. At least I know I will visit Onur in Turkey over winter break if he doesn't have his visa yet. And, the odds of him getting the visa eventually are very high. It's all just a matter of when. It could be next week, it could be in another 9 months. That's the hardest part...not knowing anything.

[awaterlily 0]

Big hugs, Julia. I can't imagine how frustrating this is for you. I read your recent post over on the AP thread. It looks like you're getting got some good advice and support over there.

GL and hope the closure to this comes so soon! KUP

It has been 3 months today that Onur has been in this "Administrative Processing". I am losing my mind! Why isn't the embassy or DOS held accountable to any sort of time frame? All they can tell us (including via an inquiry from my senator's office) is that the case is still pending/still under administrative review. This is so frustrating...and depressing.

[awaterlily 0]

in regard to recent chat about good airfare deals - I just got an email from Lufthansa about a current promotion, I did a quick quote and here's example itinerary:

2 adults and 1 infant

Boston (BOS) to Istanbul (IST): Departing: Tue 24 Mar - Returning: Wed 8 Apr

Total Price for all passengers $1388.38

Great deal!

Edited October 30, 2008 by Captain Ewok

[wendya 0]

in regard to recent chat about good airfare deals - I just got an email from Lufthansa about a current promotion, I did a quick quote and here's example itinerary:

2 adults and 1 infant

Boston (BOS) to Istanbul (IST): Departing: Tue 24 Mar - Returning: Wed 8 Apr

Total Price for all passengers $1388.38

Great deal!

Hi Everyone,

Julia, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Onur!! I hope it is not too much longer for you two.

Tanya, what a wonderful sentiment!! It is true, we will all realize the precious gift we have when we get it!!

awaterlily, the airfare is great!! I love Luftahansa! I was thinking of going over in December if Yilmaz hadn't received his visa, but the airfare online went from $780 to over $1,000 and it was airfrance. I was thinking of going to an travel agent to see if they had any deals or had some "blocks" of seats at lower prices. I was even thinking of leaving on Christmas day. I thought that it would be cheaper, but no luck. Well, everything is up in the air anyway. I will see what happens.

Good wishes and love to all,

Wendy

[awaterlily 0]

No kidding! Best rates I've seen in a while.

Did you find anything on Lufthansa for Dec? I haven't checked for that particular month.

I think this promo ends Nov 19th (booking). My husband's has to check with work about vacation time before we make a commitment. I'm thrilled

awaterlily, the airfare is great!! I love Luftahansa! I was thinking of going over in December if Yilmaz hadn't received his visa, but the airfare online went from $780 to over $1,000 and it was airfrance. I was thinking of going to an travel agent to see if they had any deals or had some "blocks" of seats at lower prices. I was even thinking of leaving on Christmas day. I thought that it would be cheaper, but no luck. Well, everything is up in the air anyway. I will see what happens.

Good wishes and love to all,

Wendy

[tanyakaraman 0]

Thanks for the tip awaterlily! I just checked the dates we want to fly (Nov 20-30) and they have a pretty good price, plus the flight is out of Philly, which is soooooo much more convenient for us than the 3 or so hour drive to JFK airport in New York! We might just go with them...

I too have had great experiences on Lufthansa...the last time I flew with them, I remarked to the flight attendant how much I enjoyed the wine they served on the flight (reisling...my favorite!!) and she promptly returned with a whole bottle as a gift to me!! Of course, the security in Frankfurt confiscated it because it was liquid and I didn't have a receipt... ...but still, the thought was nice.

[ErikaAndHamit 73]

Hello Hello everyone!!

I guess the theme for our "Just Turkish" forum is how to keep from going nuts

We all seem to be going through bouts of frustration, depression, anger, hopefulness, hopelessness, joy and sorrow all within a few pages......sigh

Julia: Me and Hamit are always talking about you and I have prayed for the two of you on more than 1 occasion. Everything is eventual and this too shall pass.....so cliche, but oh so true. Keep strong! We want 2 children too Julia Daydreaming is what keeps me going when I am down.

I would be lying if I wasn't worried about AP, but nothing I can do except pray and stay strong. I wish I had the option to just say "to hell with all this visa #######" and move to Turkey with him, but I have children that wouldn't be to happy about that

I have had to learn to not think about the future and all the uncertainty because it wears one down-why I have stayed off of visajourney last few months. Coming upon bad news in these forums tends to hit me in the heart and cause me to worry for my own situation-NOT good.

Anyhow, I have our NOA2 as of a few weeks ago, but it's reciept is hardly reassuring as only half the battle has been won- so to speak. Hamit and I are now waiting for packet 3. We are going to delay as much as possible for the interview and hope we get a mid-late January interview (I-129 expires February 7th 2009) as my work schedule is made out for the rest of the year.

Mina has been busy busy I see I am so happy you are together again.

Haven't posted those pics yet of Istanbul, but I have been working like a dog to save for Ankara as I want to be present for the interview. And I have to find a bigger house/apartment beforehand...talk about stress......

Prayers and strength to those of us here who need it!

I will check back in when I can.

[wendya 0]

Did you find anything on Lufthansa for Dec? I haven't checked for that particular month.

I think this promo ends Nov 19th (booking). My husband's has to check with work about vacation time before we make a commitment. I'm thrilled

Lufthansa was $1,600, unfortunately!! So, if the prices don't come down, I will not be going in December

I just hope and pray he will be HERE by then!!!

[ErikaAndHamit 73]

$1600?? WOW go to Orbitz if you haven't yet. Orbitz has always been the cheapest out of the all the big name travel search engines....EVERYTIME

[ErikaAndHamit 73]

A bun in the oven CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! How exciting!! I'm happy for the both of you! :dance:

[ErikaAndHamit 73]

Does anyone know where to look for cheap(er) ticket prices to Turkey? If Onur's visa is not approved by December, I am planning on spending my winter break with him in Turkey. I just checked ticket prices on Expedia, Cheaptickets and Turkish Airlines and prices are around $1500 - $1800 (closer to $1800 for the dates I want to fly). That is ridiculous. The last time I flew round trip to Turkey it was nearly half that price, and that was only last March.

Let me know if you know of any good deals/where to look!

Thanks!

Julia I've searched them all before: try Orbitz...I have only had to buy 2 tickets to Turkey, but each time they were $1000-$1100-this includes all taxes and fees round trip from Tucson to Istanbul! I just looked to go to Ankara in January and it is now only $892 on Orbitz-all the others are like 100-300 bucks more than Orbitz for the same fare-even when I last had to buy a ticket in 1 weeks notice! I have kept track of Orbitz's prices for almost a year now and it's fare prices do not appear to fluctuate very much.

The other websites are ALWAYS a few hundred dollars more than Orbitz. I had no idea until someone else told me. Also, never buy on a Wednesday-this is when Airlines are charging the highest for the week and the computers are reloaded with cheaper fares starting at midnight. Try it-search on a Wednesday night and when you wake up Thursday morning search for the same ticket and you will see it almost always is cheaper.

Hope this helps someone.

[ErikaAndHamit 73]

Here's those Istanbul pics I have been promising if anyone cares to reminisce It's on my Myspace at:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?...albumId=1858635

Hope you all enjoy them!

[wendya 0]

Here's those Istanbul pics I have been promising if anyone cares to reminisce It's on my Myspace at:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?...albumId=1858635

Hope you all enjoy them!

Your pictures are wonderful Erika!! You too make a very cute couple!!

Ah, what memories. The same streets, tramvay and sights. I do love Turkey (and of course my Yilmaz)!!!

What hotel did you stay at? The view was gorgeous! Yilmaz and I stayed at the Ada Hotel in Sultanahmet. The room was big and had a water view. We only stayed there two nights. When I first arrived and the night before my flight. We stayed in Tuzla the rest of the time in a rented villa. It was nice. Too many steep steps walking down to the entrance, but at least it had a washer and dryer, which was nice.

Thank you again for sharing your beautiful photos!!

~Wendy