There was an announcement on the expat message board for a meeting tonight with filmmaker Topaz Adizes http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2055815/ about a feature documentary, THE AMERICANA PROJECT, which will have a scene in Istanbul. As part of this production, we are shooting 10 scenes throughout the world exploring American identity. The film will be shot documentary style, and will examine what American identity means in different places in the world. We'll be in Istanbul from July 16-29. For this, we're looking for volunteers in Istanbul who would like to participate with us on this exciting documentary!. The time commitment would be little ... Only few hours on 1 or 2 of the days we'll be there, and we'll work with your schedule to make it happen.
Well, last summer I had two lines in an independent film. I practiced saying my lines all sorts of ways, I practiced answering my prop cellphone. But when it came time to shoot, I messed up my lines I was so nervous, and also, I kept looking at the camera instead of looking at the director like I was supposed to do. My two lines were cut of course :-) So I figured, maybe I could handle a documentary? So I went to the meeting at Cafe Marmara. It was more like a brain-storming session and I don't know if I'll have anything to do with the documentary, but it was fun and everyone was interesting..and we had a few drinks...and we got silly...you know how it goes! :-) Anyhow, in the midst of our meeting, in walks Spike Lee. http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=116711 <-----He is here for the Istanbul Jazz Festival. Of all celebrities, Spike would be the scariest one to ask for a photo, an autograph, a dime, to help me up if I fall... at least for me. He always looks so mean and grouchy and has that chip on his shoulder, so would he slap me down if I asked him? But a strong martini gives me courage (and this is one of the few places in town that knows how to make one!) There's me and Spike on the sidebar :-) Also a pic of Topaz Adizes, and me with the two editors of "Tales of the Expat Harem", below. http://www.expatharem.com/ (I've mentioned the book before.)
Pat - I went to Pera Palace today just for you, to see Agatha Christie's room where she wrote "Murder on the Orient Express". Sorry - but it's closed for renovations :-(
Sarah - the Peruvian band is still following me!!!
Thanks to Mert and Husnu for the free all-day boat trip on the Bosphorus to the Black sea!
When I win the lottery...
Expensive homes on the water
Rumelihisari Castle along the Bosphorus
The non-students at the fish restaurant
Swimming in the Bosphorus - it's SPIDERMAN!
Husnu and me
Relaxing on the boat-VA Tech Study Abroad Students
---------------------------Exterior of shop - cottage industry - Anatolian - Asian side of Istanbul
Craftsman at oven where wood is shaped and dried. He's been doing this since age 13.
Frame made of chestnut
Raw materials - this is what is woven over frame
Finished product
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4 comments:
Your blog is my new favorite. When I was 9 years old my father packed up his wife and four youngest daughters and moved us to Ankara, Turkey for a year where he was a visiting professor an METU - Instanbul was a frequent jaunt for us - Everything you mention conjurs up childhood memories.
We never met Spike Lee - although we DID go to the Para Palace - a few times! And the bazaars! I'm still walking on rugs purchased at the bazaars.
You really should think about a career as a travel writer - you truly have a gift.
Andrea (andea panel on BB)
You lived in Ankara for a year?! How did you like it?? Did you learn Turkish?
I knew enough to argue with the cab drivers even though I was only 10 years old!
Now I can count up to four and that's about it....
Ankara was fascinating - I found the climate (weather) to be really similar to No. California and for it (Ankara) to have a really weird mix of Western conveniences with old world habits.
The very best thing my parents did for us was to pack us all up and travel the world when we were young. We were exposed to so many cultures and experiences.
I'm laughing about 10 year old you yelling at cab drivers!!
You must have had a fascinationg childhood! Where all did you live?
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