Testimonials
David Bickford
Dear SEG Colleagues,
I felt that it might be useful to provide my personal perspective of living and working in Turkey as an expat geologist who has been here for just over 30 years. The Turkey that I have experienced both at home and while working in the field and the office has been one of hospitality, respect, and personal security. That was the case when I first arrived in Turkey and continues today. I am looking forward to attending the conference in Çeşme and having the chance to discuss the geology of Turkey and surrounding regions with my SEG colleagues. The understanding of metallogeny and tectonics of this section of the Tethyan belt has grown enormously over the last several decades and the field trips and technical sessions that have been organized will provide a great opportunity for all SEG members.
After the conference in Çeşme, I will be returning to my home and office to carry on with my life and work—exploring for the next mine in Turkey.
David Bickford
SEG Member
Ankara, Turkey
Gordon Walker
I'm looking forward to the SEG Conference this year in Çeşme. Turkey is a very large country of about 70 million people and is as safe as anywhere else in today's world, with the exception of the southeast, which is over 1,000km from Çeşme, on the west coast.
I've lived for over 11 years in Turkey and currently spend the summers based in Izmir province, where Çeşme is located. I'm here with my wife and 12 year old daughter. My 74 year old unilingual Czech speaking mother-in-law joined us for the month of August. Turkish Airlines took great care of her in spite of the language barrier.
In Izmir province and virtually everywhere else, the summer continues, the beaches of the Aegean have a lot of tourists, local and foreign. The squares, tea gardens, and restaurants are buzzing in the warm, late evenings with babies, children, parents, and grandparents—as they are elsewhere in the Mediterranean.
As always, the greatest risk to people is vehicle accidents and increasingly selfie-induced injuries and deaths — not lightning strikes, shark attacks, or terrorism. The attempted coup in Turkey failed very quickly and democrats from the three large parties flooded the streets. Terrorists try to alter our behaviour with their acts. If we let them do that, they will be rewarded and so will we—with more terrorism.
I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends and colleagues in Çeşme in September.
Gordon Walker
GM Europe and MENA, Russia and Central Asia
ALS Geochemistry