The Sun, the Beaches and the Warm Weather Means a Nice City?

As we get our yearly break from work, we start to look for places to go. Most people who live in cold places usually prefer warmer places, to swim, sunbathe and many other activities. And vice versa, those who lives in warm places choose colder spots, to enjoy snow, skiing, kayaking and a drink next to the fire place.

The city of Antalya is one of those warm places, actually a very warm one where the temperature is usually over 100 Fahrenheit in summer. Located in southwest of Turkey, Antalya is one of the hottest and most humid cities of Turkey. It is very humid as in summer some days the air smells like an aquarium. The summer starts mid April and continues till November. There are a lot of historical places and natural beauties in the districts of the city.

Beaches, sun, clubs are present here too. A heaven for tourists and the people who like warm weather. Statistics say that every year hundreds of foreigners decide to stay here legally and more to stay illegally working at a hotel or tourism company. There are not many job opportunities here. The only sector that you might have a chance is tourism. Most university graduates that go to Antalya, to work in a good job, usually end up cleaning the pools in hotels. The employers know they have a lot of people who wants their job; they can make their personnel work from 8 in the morning till 11 at night.

A very interesting fact is that as a foreigner, if you don't speak Russian or German here, you cannot communicate with the local folks. I have been to many cities around the world but this city got something that attracts people at first sight but then everything turns upside down as you start to live there. The hotels seem to be a good place to work for most of the workers that migrate from other cities to Antalya and also for Eastern Block countries people. You can hardly find a hotel that pays the wages on time. And when winter comes, you can usually see those workers trying to get their money from the hotels. Don't want to mention the hotels that are supposed to be 5 stars, but you can see the ceiling decorations fall on you when you are sleeping peacefully on your bed.

Antalya is famous with their bad drivers in Turkey. A place, which was a village since few years ago, is transforming into a city, but the drivers still seem driving their tractors in their farms. Antalya locals, called Yoruk, had been living in the mountains in old times. As a result of this, there are no local foods or dance in this city, unlike other cities of Turkey. Antalya people are also famous in Turkey with their unfriendly behavior. As you meet an Antalya local, the possibilities are very low that he will greet you; and even he greets, it won't be with a smile. He will just look at you, like you come from the space.

Sooner or later, you face the truth. Even it is a nice place to visit, it is not a good place to live and spend your life unless you are retired, wanting a peaceful life. Unfortunately most touristic places are not a good place to live in. But I think Antalya is overrated and there are more beautiful cities in Turkey than Antalya.