Diversitygrows, a seasoned solo traveler, had just begun her first journey through Turkey when an unsettling experience changed the tone of her trip. While relaxing at a café, she struck up a friendly conversation with a group of French travelers. One of the men invited her to lunch the next day, which she accepted. During the meal at a nearby restaurant, he insisted they enjoy a glass of wine. Though she took precautions and never left the table, she began to feel heavily impaired shortly after finishing her drink.
By the time they left the restaurant, she was disoriented and struggling to walk. The man accompanied her back to her hotel under the guise of helping her — but once inside, she became violently ill in the bathroom. When she emerged, she discovered her luggage had been rifled through and her credit cards were missing. It became clear she had been drugged and robbed. Her pupils were so dilated she couldn’t read, making it nearly impossible to contact her bank in time to stop several thousand dollars in fraudulent charges.
Thankfully, she was not physically harmed, and her phone and passport remained safe. The emotional and financial toll of the incident was significant, but she expressed deep gratitude for the support she received online and emphasized her continued respect for the Turkish people. She acknowledged that danger can exist anywhere and encouraged fellow travelers to stay vigilant — without letting fear keep them from exploring the world.
