12.12.08

Weekly Panoroma from Bilge...


I have started a new project in my newspapers' website 3 weeks ago. I go through all the important events happening in a week, choose them and write the descriptions under the pictures. Then we put them in the gallery link of the website.

There are so many picture galleries in so many websites but most of them are just pictures with no informations. So go and click my site.

All you have to do is go to http://www.sabah.com.tr/ adress and go to multimedia and see "Bilge Eser'den Haftanin Panoramasi"... or copy/paste http://galeri.sabah.com.tr/?galerisec=3401...
I publish it every friday morning and it stays there until next week's new gallery.
(the picture is a printview of the page)

I am waiting for your comments...

Have a nice weekend...

11.12.08

Guests in the ferry...




Today is the last day of eid-al-adha, or with Turkish saying: Kurban Bayrami... I have visited my granparents, saw my old uncle that I havent seen for many years... Ate a lot of meat. My aunt, Makbule, has prepared a very nice meat with rice and ayran (a drink made with yoghurt and water)... But my cousin is crazy. He recorded a video of the cow before it was butchered. Then just as we were eating it, he started showing the video. Everybody was looking at each other trying to get rid of him, but even this didnt stop us finishing the delicious cow:))

Half of Turkey is on holiday but we journalist- or so called slaves- work... Because some people in some parts of the country should sit down in their breakfasts and read their papers. But, I travel the world when they are working so no need to complain a lot...
Every morning I take the ferry from Kadikoy to Besiktas to come to work. I buy cookies (acma) and coffee. Nowadays the weather is freezing but with sun. So I tend to sit outside to feel the breeze on my face. This morning I had guests... Some small birds were trying to eat their breakfast, pieces dropping on the floor from my cookies... I know it is not a great picture but with my Ericsson mobile that is the best I can get (Swedish mobile is chosen deliberately!!)

I dont like winter, depressing, cold... but in Istanbul every season is worth to live... and the life is much more worth to take the best...
Have a nice day to all..

8.12.08

Kurban Bayrami-Eid al-Adha-Festival of Sacrifice

(- O my sweety. Your child? Tell me what do you want to be when you grow older?
- Cooked meat)
Today is the first day of festival... Today, everybody wakes up early in the morning, men go to mosques for morning prayers... Then big family breakfasts, then visiting relatives. I like every idea that brings together the friends, families and people that havent seen each other for months.

One big religious festival is Ramadan. The second one is Eid el -Adha. In the second one, you sacrifice one animal, either a cow, a sheep or a ram. You divide the meats and deliver to people in need. Western world mostly likes to criticize about cutting so many animals in the world. I know sometimes there are wild scenes. But there is a much deeper meaning in this. The reason for cutting an animal dates back to thousands of years. When Prophet Abraham wanted so much a boy from God and promises that he will sacrifice it at the age of 13. Then his son, Ismail, borns and reaches the age 13. Abraham takes his son to a place to sacrifice as he has promised. But just at the second he puts the knife on his son's throat God sends him a sheep thanking that he kept his promise. So he sacrifices the animal and saves his son. So from then every year Muslims thank God for saving their sons. If you want some information go to links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha



Have a nice Bayram...

5.12.08

Troya and real trust


The handsome but coward Paris, the Troya Prince falls in love with Greek Helen and takes her to his hometown. But what they forget is the thousands of Greek ships coming to open the war of honour on Troy... They fight for 10 years, millions die... Nobody wins like in all of the wars... But the beautiful heaven city Troy burns down to all its ashes..

This war -maybe the only war that started for a "good reason" -woman, going back to thousands of years, happened in these lands of Turkey, called Canakkale, on the northwest coast. The actors of the story that Homeros told thousands of years ago have lived in my land. 

For the last six months, the successful "Fire of Anatolia" dancers have been performing the story of Helen, Paris, Achilleus, Hector and thousands that have died to protect the people that trusted them...  More than 200 dancers perform the dances of different regions of Anatolia. They come one by one, from Aegean, Black Sea, Lydians, Amazon women and all others... 

I was very impressed on how they danced so in great harmony. The musics and costumes are wonderful. They have already started touring around the world. So if "Troya" ever passes your city, never miss it!!! 

(You can watch the trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6wxqNVPfoM address)

22.11.08

Holiday...


Well..


I havent written for a long time. no, i havent been abroad or working overttime! I am on holiday. after for months running after Obama and the elections, that I watched far more detailed than my own, after going to catch Vikings in Iceland, I wanted to leave work for sometime and REST!! So I'm in the most wonderful city in Turkey-IZMIR!!! (of course after Istanbul)... I am with my family, my friends I love incredibly in my life.. The woman I call my soul-mate, and the rest of the gang!!!


So see you later all... I am having as usual one of the best times in my life!!!::)) You are invited. If you are curious of how much fun we have look at the picture!!


kiss....

14.11.08

Goodbye US elections, hi to danger!!!

After the elections, life seems like so empty... No more conventions, no more rallies. no more dirty words for gaining votes...
Actually my travels to US seem to end too. There are a lot of things that I miss there... All those excitement, deadlines, rushing, sending pictures in the middle of the streets::))

I wish I could stay there more, but I dont think the inauguration on 20th January is worth to go for one day...
I have caught the election race very lately, 1,5 year ago but I guess I got the best pieces... Super Tuesday was awesome... And then came the wonderful Conventions... Magnificent speech of Bill Clinton, and of course the incredible night at Invesco field to listen to Obama... Thanks to everyone that helped me witness that history...
Now I am trying to go to another end of the world. Where the luxury of States is over and "real danger" begins. I havent decided yet, but hope to send you the pictures and stories soon... Of course if I am not kidnapped or....

9.11.08

Barack Obama-on YouTube Mania!!!

Just a short note...

I clicked on youtube to watch obama's victory speech. But came across with hundreds of videos posted by the people that were there, in Grant Park, Chicago. I guess they tell all the world a lot about the joy we have witnessed on that historic night.
And I must confess that between taking pictures and interviewing people, I havent heard of the countdown. It does sound fantastic. But to get the real "screams"!!!, find the video posted by "rtorres", with the title  "Announcement at Grant Park that Obama is president"... Real Crazy!!!

8.11.08

Is Obamamania exaggeration?


After a long working week in US, I have been to the office in Istanbul today, with lots of questions about how was the history witnessing, the crowd, the atmosphere... Being there and here right from the depth is very different. I still think about the election night and what me and all the people around me have been through. And I believe I will be like that more. 
 
However, some of my colleagues think that the world exaggerates Obama. All those celebrations, gigantic crowd, that PR... Maybe they can be right in a way. I have been the States only 3 times, it can be little for many, but one of the impressions I had in States is the exaggeration. In Denver during the conventions, it wasnt a party gathering but a big entertainment  with lots of spot lights... Behind the doors there were no lights but dim discussion "parties" I guess...
So behind all the glamorous "Obamamania", all the hope can fade in a little while-at least they say...
But in Turkey, we look at things only from the perspective of "which is best for Turkey." If he is in our benefit, then he is perfect. Of course this can be right, but for me very narrow thinking. There is a much broader word called: global... For what is beneficial to globe can give no harm to Turkey.
 
I am still shaken, maybe because I was there I donot know, about a black man elected as president. A man that havent been known before the magnificent speech he made 2004 Democratic Convention (listen to youtube-or ktunnel, esp. the part about blue states and red states. a new leader was born that day).

As Paul Krugmann said in his article on NYT right after the elections: If the election of our first African-american president didnt stir you, if it didnt leave you teary-eyed and proud of your country, there is something wrong with you:))...

enjoy more...

(to be continued: Muslim's feelings on the new possible posts in Obama cabinet...)



6.11.08

BARACK-FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT



Today is 6 Nov.

Yesterday, United States woke up to a brand new world. And the world also. 
It was such a historical night which i can never even try to explain with words... There were more than 250.000 people gathered in Grant Park in Chicago on the election night. There were lines up to 2 kilometers. And what I have seen was that it was so packed with young people and blacks... Actually it was their night.

Youngsters that campaigned for 20 months to elect Barack Obama as the president of United States. They call them the "Virgin Voters":))

Blacks that have been dreaming about this day, a day that would never come. 

But it came. When the clocks hit 10.35 in Chicago, on the gigantic billboard of CNN there appeared one sentence: BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT...
I will never forget what I have seen, what I have felt and what I have witnessed on that night. Everybody was screaming, hugging each other, and shouting "Yes We Did"...

World cannot change in one day, in one month even in one year...But I have a hope that things can really go much better than a Bush administration for 8 years.
Of course Obama will not have a magic wand in his hand, but at least he is elected now. And there is no need to think about the near future, at least not for the next one week. So let the world celebrate the first black president of US, Barack... 

31.10.08

There is a sky somewhere...





New York... Life runs so fast in this city. Faster than Istanbul. Streets are narrow and half is definitely under construction. 
Every corner is full of homeless, and the corner of Wall Street showing the two faces of the new world...
I like the rush always, but this city is so crowded. Coming from Istanbul, if I say crowded, it definitely is. I have been to some like 10 states in US and this is the most "foreigner" one. People are first foreigners; second foreigners to each other. 
But this is New York. Alive 24 hours, fresh with new lives entering its territory every day... but doesnt let people see the sun at 3 pm in the afternoon diving into the blue sky. When I thought it was evening in the afternoon, I remembered Ken Loach's film on 9/11. It was showing how the city got sun after the twin towers came down with the attacks. Of course it is a terrible way to see the sun, but I felt good to see that there are some people that do want to see the sun all day long!!!

Have a nice day. 

30.10.08

A forgotten Eurasia Marathon




Just to chill out... and because of the ridiculous (did i write right?:)) banning of blogspot I couldnt put pictures of Eurasia Marathon. It is done almost for the last 10 years annually. Runners in the morning start from Asia, then cross over the Bosphorus Bridge and end in Taksim. Because the bridge is at normal times close to pedestrians, typical Turkish citizens use the marathon as a way to walk, have breakfast, celebrate birthdays on the bridge one time in a year. This exactly shows how we are so interested in running::))

If you ask me, no I didnt run, because I had to work and it was raining crazily. See, I am not that sportsperson either... I changed by time::)
NOTE: If you look carefully at the background of the photo with the sign on, you can see my newspaper, SABAH, with capital letters vertically..

kiss.. 

Saving Bilge in New York...

Hi...
This time from New York... I am stuck in the hotel room after 11 hours of desperate flight. Why on earth do I belong to that "never sleeping people" group and not to the "can sleep in every position" clan? This is all I judge right now... 
New York... I have flown 3 times from here and at last will stay for 4 nights... It is never enough to know a city in so short time but I know I am a good explorer. I will get used to the area in a couple of days...
It looks so lightful and lively here. According to the taxi driver, the best job after being a doctor or an engineer in NY is to be a driver. He told me he earns more than any other job-well surely more than me:))) Maybe I should work here as a driver and part/time reporter... not a bad idea!!:)

Tomorrow I will start writing about elections. Maybe I am a little late for that but save the best for last. And on Sunday I will travel to Chicago to cover Obama... I still cannot believe that he is going to win but he seems so good until now... But this is USA: powerful enough to change anything in the world...!!!

22.10.08

Iceland-2 "Dark woman between blondes"









Back in Istanbul, but thinking still about Iceland... because I've been answering all those crazy and never ending questions about Iceland: what did you eat? was it really freezing? were there any other turkish (this is Turk's great ideal: finding the other Turk whereever they go and talk about how their country is much more superior on everything, especially food!):))

and here comes the biggest question from the men bored to see 70 million brunette, dark women: why didnt you bring with you a cute, blonde? answer is, why dont you try to go there; you will be a prince, they love dark men, because there isnt any!!!:) (see the picture attached for the 2 blondes my newspaper put on the first page! Iceland; country of blondes!)

Some of little things apart  from these serious issues; if you ever decide to go to Reykjavik, definitely go to hot pool... Outside temperature is 2 degrees but pool is boiling. Because there are many volcanos (erupting so often) in Iceland, it heats the water. Hot water is free! Cold smells a little sulphur, because it directly comes from the source right to your tap...

The government made a highway around the island. So for those who want a long travel, you can hire a car and drive around. My Icelander friend, Björgvin said that it takes 48 hours if you never stop. So it can be real excitement. On your way glaciers, hot sources, great fish and quiet... (and no the government of Iceland do not pay me for all these ads)...

However, I got a free dinner in a fish restaurant I did an interview before. Sometimes (but very rarely), it helps to be a journalist. I ate in a very small, but fantastic place called "Sjavar Barinn", right on the harbor. You must try all those on the table. Also not so far, one of the best lobster soups in "Sea baron" cooked by a 80 year old fisherman... 

May God bless the seafood and all places that cook them!!! 







16.10.08

From the far north... Country of Ice...





I am in the land where it was once the place of dreams... Where wealth was so high and where occupied the first place of the "happy people" index. 

I am in Iceland... Thousand of kilometres away from probably each person reading this blog... 
No it's not snowing and no it's not freezing. Actually people of Iceland dont like it when you call here "the land of ice".

I am not here to interview Björk, sorry... But to write about something much more interesting: economic crisis. But what is a "crisis" when you have 3 cars and you lose one. Comparing to other ends of the world, poverty... This country is one of those examples that will fill in the books, "dont be like them" title. Greed, losing yourself in huge amounts of money, then falling from the top when there is no net to save you...

But apart from everything, this is such a beautiful country. Black volcanic mountains, dressed with snow, a huge lake, brilliant sky... Sun cuts your eyes because it's so close to the poles. For those of you, who like cold weather, Iceland. The people are so so friendly, very open. Because the population is very small, (only 120.000 in Reykjavik), everybody knows each other. This city is more like a modern village...

There are wonderful fish restaurants. One of those best food are shark meat, cod...

I will write more about here...

bilge. 
 

12.10.08

Peace at home... Peace in the world...


Do you ever get tired of this world... to consider it as a bus, and want to shout to the driver "please let me off in the nearest stop?" To hide in a place quiet, peaceful, to be on your own. To be out of office, its never ending gossips... Work in a black box! Disappear... No need to answer the cell, after, no need to answer thousands of questions why your cell was off!... Maybe on the far end of where east meets west, where another continent starts... No, you cannot hide in the same city... you gotto run. as far as you can...
Sometimes where the peace is by the people you tried most to leave out of your life... the people who brought you, gave into this world, left looking after your footsteps in life and the ones that never liked your steps (and will never like!)... so maybe that quiet, peaceful place is with them... I spent my weekend in one of the most hidden corners of Istanbul- Guzelce... Hope it always stays as a secret for its little inhabitants:)
I spent it with them...
Thank you mom and dad! 

10.10.08

Hi... Merhaba... Ciao... Hola...

Hi to everyone... Merhaba...

Today, 10/Oct/08 I started my blog. The reason I write here is for others to know my country, beautiful Turkey, my travels -I do a lot- and to meet different people in the incredibly fast changing and expanding world.
I always kept a diary through my school years filling loads of pages with my life, spending hours to write them and then spending another extra hours trying to hide them from my mother. However now I am here making my some part of my life open to maybe millions. Just a contradiction as years go by and world changes.

I will write by blog in English, because there is no translation in internet from Turkish to English. Maybe with this, "they" can recognize why there is no technic for a language that is spoken for more than 300 million people all over the world. But you are free to comment in any language that I can understand, Turkish, English, little bit of Italian.

Welcome again...