Seriously- Freaking - Out

CaniacMom · January 2012

I knew when I came back to work that my job involved travel and that it was not going to change just because I had another child. But - we are having a sales meeting in Istanbul, Turkey and my colleague in my office and I have been told we need to attend. We never get invited - I have no idea why they have to start now. I would much rather go when they have it in Germany, Italy or France. Or even better, the USA.

I figured my supervisor would blow it off but he said if we are invited we are expected to go so he can't tell us not to. He isn't happy over the locale either.

MarSamWhitney · January 2012

Wow, can you come up with some reason not to go? You couldn't pay me to go there right now.

That totally stinks, I really feel bad.

EDIT, I am a chicken about all things travel. You pretty much couldnt pay me to go any place over seas.

CaniacMom · January 2012

I don't mind overseas travel. I've been to Japan several times and have loved it. I hate it that I will probably never get to go again (at least on this company's business).

My male colleagues are not happy over going so I can only guess they really understand my apprehension. This will be one trip that when I get to the hotel I will not leave again until time to go to the airport. I walked up and down the streets in Germany alone and would not have been scared to have walked around in Yokohama at any hour of the day except for worrying about getting lost and not being able to find my hotel again.

MarSamWhitney · January 2012

Well this stinks. Is there any chance the plans could change. Why Turkey? Does your company have a place over there or something?

mommajen8 · January 2012

Yikes. I would not be happy about that either. Too much strife over there.

bethyla · January 2012

Eeek! I'm sure it will be fine? Do you know when you would have to go or how long you would be gone for?

ffejsGirl · January 2012

I agree with MarSam no way would I want to go there now. I'm sorry you got stuck in this position. I hope everything goes well!

SweetHurricane · January 2012

Are they providing security detail? My sister's job allows her to travel, if she wants. She has chosen not to because it's always awful places (think Iraq, Korea, etc), but they do provide security if you go.

Doodle2011 · January 2012

I may be the lone voice of insanity here, but I have also traveled solo for fun (Mexico for a scuba diving trip for a week, and Thailand for two months). Turkey is supposed to be culturally rich and pretty cool. I was actually considering a solo trip there back in my single days but opted for Thailand instead. I would express your concerns about safety and ask the right questions (where will you stay, how will ground transportation be arranged, etc). But I would also look at this is an amazing opportunity to do something many people will never get the chance to do. And bottom line, if you don't feel safe going, then you shouldn't, and you should tell your HR department right now why, and they should be willing to work with you. If it is considered an integral part of your job, be willing to find ways to participate without actually traveling (video conference, etc)...that may cost your firm less than actually sending you abroad.

RouensDream · January 2012

Doodle2011:
I may be the lone voice of insanity here, but I have also traveled solo for fun (Mexico for a scuba diving trip for a week, and Thailand for two months). Turkey is supposed to be culturally rich and pretty cool. I was actually considering a solo trip there back in my single days but opted for Thailand instead. I would express your concerns about safety and ask the right questions (where will you stay, how will ground transportation be arranged, etc). But I would also look at this is an amazing opportunity to do something many people will never get the chance to do. And bottom line, if you don't feel safe going, then you shouldn't, and you should tell your HR department right now why, and they should be willing to work with you. If it is considered an integral part of your job, be willing to find ways to participate without actually traveling (video conference, etc)...that may cost your firm less than actually sending you abroad.

Yes Agreed.

MarSamWhitney · January 2012

That is awesome advice from Doodle!! I looked up Istanbul earlier when we were talking about it, and it does appear to have some pretty cool stuff. I guess its all going to depend on the logistics.

pixieprincss · January 2012

Leaving LO for a trip would stink, but I would be ECSTATIC to go to Turkey! In fact, I would try to take DH and LO with me and do some travel because it is so amazing and rich with history (including some cool Biblical sites if that happens to be up your alley). Turkey is an amazing intersection of Western and Middle Eastern cultures. It is one of my favorite places. My dad lived there for 2 years when I was a child, and I got to spend summers and long holidays with him. Obviously, that was a long time ago and a different "political climate", but we've considered traveling on vacation there within the past few years and I wouldn't have too many hesitations, personally. My ILs went in 2011 and enjoyed it.

CaniacMom · January 2012

Thanks everyone... The more I've looked into it the better I feel about where I am going. I do not know the schedule for our meetings yet but would love to look into the Biblical sites if I have time available. I know we are looking at flights that go out on a Sunday and then return flights on Friday. That is the one thing that sucks about business travel is you sometimes go some amazing places and see very little of them (like when I went to Germany and only saw our factory over there and the hotels we stayed and met in).

RedZee · January 2012

I'm with Doodle and Pixie on this one. I hope it works out for you!

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