Anonymous: I am a female Navy vet who plans to travel to Turkey next year. I am going with a Turkish friend and her two small girls. Her husband is American. Even her husband has commented on the trip regarding security. How safe are Americans in Turkey? She says they love us, I have reservation because of traveling in the Mideast while in the Navy.

Gayle Forman: Turkey is one of my favorite places I have ever visited--maybe because I went there on my honeymoom. I really would not be concerned about how the Turks will treat you. My overall experience was that everyone was welcoming and warm and loved Americans, and their tourist dollars, if not their government. There is certainly some animosity in the Middle East over the war in Iraq but Turkey has such a strong tourism industry that really, most people really want you to be there. The bombings in Istanbul a few years backthought to be al Qaedaupset Turks as much as anyone. Use the same caution and common sense and cultural sensitivity you would anywhere, but by all means go.

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Verona, NJ: My husband & I are planning a 6 to 12 month round the world escapade to celebrate his imminent retirement (we did an 8 month round the world 25 years ago but we were younger and that was then). We plan to sell our house and so will have no U.S. address. What's best for mail? My sister offered to let us use her address--she would have to either take care of it or send it on to us or we could pay a service like USABox.com to forward mail? Or is there another way? At least paying bills and managing a checking account on the internet will be great (though we'd still need an address for those accounts). For some reason, this worries me more than the travel itself. How did you arrange your mail for a year?

Gayle Forman: We had our mail forwarded to family, gave power of attorney to certain relatives and authorized them to access our various bank and credit card accounts. We set up automatic bill pay whenever possible and then family members did the rest. As for mail, aside from bills there wasnt much of it as most people knew we were gone for the year. If you already have credit cards etc. you wont need an address of your own to keep them, just somewhere where you can be contacted. A PO Box would also work but youd have to have someone you trust check it for you so it seems easier to just forward your mail to a trusted friend or relative. If your sister is responsible, Id take her up on her offer.

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Chicago, IL: I will be traveling to Beijing and Shanghai, China this July. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for other locations, either in China or by China, that I could visit as well.

Gayle Forman: I adored Lijang, in Yunnan province. And Beijing should not be missed.

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Los Angeles, CA: I think that you stated that you spent about $30,000 for a year for both you and your husband. For a single person (one person) do you think that you could half that amount ($15,000.00)? Maybe 2/3 ($20,000.00)?

Gayle Forman: Hotels were sometimes a flat room rate, sometimes priced per person. I would think you could definitely do it for 20,000, as long as you stay out of Europe. We spent six weeks in Europe, staying with friends much of the time, and I'd say we spent at least $100 a day when we were paying for hotels.

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