Reality of World Terror hits U.S. Beauty Salon Owner on recent visit to Turkey.

By: Worldsites International - [social]
Reality of World Terror hits U.S. Beauty Salon Owner on recent visit to Turkey

By Perriann Rodriguez

I guess you could say Rod Sickler picked the wrong week to go to Istanbul Turkey. Sickler, owner of Images by Rod + Company Salon in Rantoul, Ill. , was in Istanbul from Nov. 16 - Nov. 20 to help launch new hair products as an artistic team member for Sexy Hair Concepts. His trip coincided, almost exactly, with the first and second bombings that occurred in Istanbul on Nov. 15 and Nov. 20. Two synagogues were the target of the first bombings and the British Consulate and a London-based bank were the targets of the second bombings. The bombings resulted in 55 deaths and hundreds of wounded. Most of the victims were Muslim Turks. At least three groups with purported links to al-Queda have claimed responsibility for the attacks. Sickler arrived in Istanbul the day after the first bombings. He didn't notice any extra security measures at the airport or during his week in Istanbul. However, when he left it was a different matter. Sicklers' flight departed Istanbul for London around 11:30 or so, just minutes after the bombing of the British Consulate and London-based Bank took place. His flight was the first flight out after the bombings. After arriving in London, Sickler describes a very tense situation that took place. "As we got off the plane, we were surrounded by police officers in full gear. None of the officers were pointing guns at us, but it was a very intense moment." Sickler says that all of the passengers were taken to a detention lounge where the police interrogated each person, searched all belongings and confiscated all cameras. "The officers were not hostile in any way, but you could tell it was a very serious situation." He adds, "They asked us general questions about the purpose of our visit, and if we had driven by the British Consulate or taken any photographs that day." None of the passengers were told about the bombings that had occurred almost as their plane left. After the interrogation, Sickler says they were all released and they had to go back and clear security again and then run to catch any connecting flights. The security check they went through at that point was very thorough and "violating" as Sickler describes. "They searched every bag, checked for bomb dust, and frisked us," he says. The search process took almost 20 minutes per person. As soon as Sickler arrived back in the U.S., the reality of what had happened to him began to sink in. He soon learned about the second bombings that had occurred just minutes after he left. His family and friends had been very concerned about his safety and were very relieved that he had returned home safely. Other than the intensity of his trip home, Sickler says his trip to Istanbul was very enjoyable. He adds, "The food was incredible and the Turkish people were very hospitable and caring."

Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of Hair Resources, www.hairresources.com, a nationwide beauty salon/hair stylist directory and resource center with hair care, hair loss, hair removal info and many hair styles. She has published over 100 articles in newspapers and trade publications and appears in the U.S. Register of American Writers and the 2004 Edition of Who's Who among Professionals and Executives.

>>Reprint/Distribution Source : ArticleWareHouse.com