"May Haldi Protect You!" Top 5 Page for this destination Van by ozalp

Van Travel Guide: 158 reviews and 434 photos

Van aka Tusba

A big, terrible earthquake hit Van on my birthday in 2011. Lots of places and buildings I've visited destroyed. The area is still dangerous. After shocks are still fatal. Plus the cold is getting bitter every day. Survivors started to leave the city. Sources say 350.000 or 650.000 people have left Van. In the first week after the quake Van cats had been forgotten in their shelter without food and drink. The situation is still terrible. People try to live under tents but they cannot heat the tents. Fires already killed some of the survivors. And nothing is getting any better for them.
Please pray for Van.

This is Van, an eastern city of my country at Iranian border. Once the capitol named Tusba, but it was more than 2800 years ago. Haldi was the God of War in the land of Urartu, and I think he is still in charge.
I almost knew all the villages of Van from the news about terrorism. I went there with fear and enthusiasm. My fear was based on years of terrorism, my enthusiasm, on my curiosity about these lands. I listened to the stories of this part of my country from my family members, especially from my father. He was a teacher and had worked in almost all eastern and southeastern cities. He had told me his memories as a tale and I noticed that I started to forget them. This burnt the fire inside me.

Ahtamar Island

I’ve been raised with the stories about the generosity of eastern people. My roots were here. My folks immigrated to Igdir from Artvin, then to western cities. They brought their generosity and hospitality with them. Even I lived it, it was still unbelievable. My dad told me about people accepted him to their home and invited him dinner… He always told me if I go there and mention his name, I would be accepted like him.

A textile shop

So, I wanted to see these generous lands with my own eyes, I got over my fear and tried to leave my prejudices behind, hit the road.
Yet, I have some prejudices with me, like “West is modern part of my country.” And Van hit me from that prejudice: There were self-confident women all around. They are in daily life. There were young couples, long haired young men (which are not acceptable in some parts of Turkey)… This shock is not something I can tell you by words; you have to live it in your bones. But you need to feel the prejudice of a local, first.

I was there, at last. And here my tips, photos and memories…

Pros and Cons

Pros:Breakfasts, lake, history, people
Cons:Terrorism

Last visit to Van: Mar 2011
Intro Updated Nov 21, 2011
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Reviews (29)

Day trip to Dogubayazit Things to Do (14)

You can have a trip to Dogubayazit from Van. There are busses on Sihke Street and they depart early in the morning.... more travel advice

Generous people Local Customs (1)

It started to be boring to say “Our people’s hospitality, generosity…” again and again, but I must tell you these... more travel advice

Cheese Shopping (3)

Van has a special cheese which has the wild plants of the region in it. It has a strong smell, so many people don't like... more travel advice

If you don’t want local tastes Restaurants (7)

First day we asked for Van cuisine and somebody told us Sacibeyaz. We went there and saw that it was a modern Café –... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Transportation in Van

Hotels (2)
See All Was a good option once

Comments (7)

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yakacik May 6, 2010 at 8:01 AM

Sizin sayfanýz güzel olmuþ, tebrikler,benimkinin kusuruna bakmayýn
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TheLongTone Jan 7, 2010 at 10:20 AM

I'd love to visit this area...those stelae are really beatiful.
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Manara Jan 6, 2010 at 3:59 PM

Those cats are lovely!
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mindcrime Sep 2, 2009 at 2:34 AM

great tips, great people, great stories! Ah! Tamara! :)
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Arkeolog Feb 18, 2009 at 5:06 AM

Van imperssed me much when i was travveling Van. I liked your page on Van.
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omidamini Nov 25, 2008 at 11:00 PM

Dear, to today I didn't anything about Van , but I am sure next year with my family come for visit your nice country.
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lynnehamman Nov 20, 2008 at 4:39 AM

Great page on Van- the story about the church sounds fascinating!