I’ve avoided talking about Fire of Anatolia because I’m generally not a great fan of glossed-up stage shows that are manufactured for the sole benefit of profiting from tourists, but I have to admit… I like this belly dance sequence. I think it’s the costumes I like as much as anything. I would still prefer to see a belly dancer in a remote village somewhere, but with any luck, that’ll be happening sooner rather than later.
Yesterday, famed Atlanta photographers Leah and Mark featured the Hidden Anatolia project on their web site! I’m really thankful for the exposure, especially from two such respected artists. I encourage you to take a moment and read the write-up, as they do a great job of explaining the project and explaining how you as a supporter can benefit.
Becoming a part of the project is easy – you don’t have to sign up for anything new if you already have accounts with PayPal and Facebook. Project fueling starts with as little as a single dollar (yes, you can really give just one dollar and still take part!), and the best thing is that you get gifts, rewards, and prizes along the way for your contribution.
You can fuel the project here, and learn more about what you’re getting into here.
Many, many thanks to those who have already fueled the project and are helping to make it a reality!
Oddly, this is something I don’t think I’ve ever discussed here— in decades past, rather than just taking hit movies and dubbing or subtitling them, the Turkish film industry decided to remake a ton of now-classic titles. These remakes were generally direct rip-offs, starred Turkish actors, and were done on, ahem, modest budgets (you’ll see what I mean). The results are hilarious to our eyes, but when the films were made, they were often more popular than the Hollywood originals.
There’s a good starter list over at English Turkey. Some of the linked videos have since been removed from YouTube, but if you just click through on a few of them, you’ll find everything you could possibly want in the “related videos” column on the side. It’s amazing some of the films they couldn’t leave alone. Hilarious and mesmerising all at the same time. Link
People go on a lot about Turkish architecture, which is fair enough… but the interior décor is pretty snazzy, too. It’s often this eclectic hybrid of traditional, ornate East, and modern, minimal West.
Well, as of last night the first week of the Hidden Anatolia fueling drive is complete, and to say that it has gone well would be the understatement of the year. We’re currently at a level of $653, which is 13% of the total goal, and that’s a great accomplishment considering we’re only a week into the thing.
But as you know, sitting back and relaxing would spell disaster at this point, so it’s onward and upward. For those who have already invested in the project, thank you for helping make this a reality. If you’re still thinking about investing, remember there’s no minimum amount to take part, and even a small contribution can get you some really cool rewards.
Also, don’t forget to visit the project’s home page for great Hidden Anatolia content that will continue throughout the fueling period, the planning, and the trip itself. Things will start to unfold and evolve gradually, as funding comes into place and more plans solidify. Investors in the project will have a say in certain things, like helping choose places to visit. It’s going to be fun, and I’m looking forward to including as many people as possible.
These were taken on the same day, about two minutes apart, facing in opposite directions.
Quick, go check out Levent Şen’s 360° panoramic shots of Kaleiçi. It’s basically like an upmarket version of Google Street View, except with exquisite photography and a nicer overall feel. It can be a bit processor-intensive, but if you’d like to see the most beautiful parts of the Antalya old town, it’s definitely worth it. Link
