trippie

Are you really traveling?

2012-01-28T20:19:00.000+02:00

Traveling has been never that easy as it is now. Transportation got much better, prices decreased sharply, there`s tons of information out there about any place you would like to travel. Evolution of internet has changed the way we are traveling. It`s no more expecting an unexpected travel experience. Before reaching your destination, you can get prepared about the weather, food, lifestyle, shopping experiences, places, people, anything you want to know about that certain place.

And moreover now there`s real time interaction. Before your trip, you can share your travel dates and destination and arrange your trip according to friends` comments. During your trip, you can have real time travelers` feedbacks about the conditions of the road. After you arrived you can search on nearby hot spot places. Let`s say, you are in danger, or in a bad situation, you can `theoretically` call for help via twitter. After coming back, you can share your experience with the world - sharing your photos, videos, moments, etc..

But there`s a but; this `traveling` thing got also so much commercial and artificial. Look around you. Traveling should not be just moving your ass from one place to another, taking some smiley photos in front of `well known` places, wandering aimlessly through the city, buying some little magnets, tea cups, little statues for friends and family members and coming back. Traveling should be learning, should be experiencing, should be breaking stereotypes, should be illuminating, should be opening up new horizons.

Well, at least, that`s what I need and want.

I definitely want to experience something else, if I am somewhere else. This is very simple for me.

Have you ever met locals spontaneously and randomly spent your whole day with them ?
Have you ever gone for traveling without planning, packaging ? Just taking a last day decision ?
Have you ever travelled alone ?
Have you ever had a city trip just as locals ? No travel guides, no tip places...
Have you ever missed your plane because of mixing the airports ?
Have you ever stepped into a bar and invited everyone inside for a drink ?
Have you ever attended a local meeting, a protest, a social meeting with people you have never met before ?
Have you ever stayed somewhere which you have no idea about the owners of the place ?

Photo Source : Screen shot from the video.

2012 on trippie

2012-01-07T23:50:00.001+02:00

It does not suppose to be a new year post, but more like sharing my direction in this blog. I have been writing for 5 years here and my first and main reason has been always saving my life experiences while visiting, changing, living places..

Last year, trippie was no longer a `travel` blog. I tried to express my ideas, observations, feelings about places from different perspectives. Let it be political, social, economic, religious and so on. And I have included many guest posts sharing the experiences of different bloggers.

And now in 2012, there will be some changes as well, some changes that will express myself much better. Just to summarize, I want to mention the tips in this post.

Microblogging and realtime is so much in our lives and it changed the way of traditional blogging as well. I have never seen these as an alternative of continuing a blog, they are totally complemantary tools. This year, trippie will use especially `twitter` to get into related conversations, to engage with same interests and to keep up with travelling trends.
My most beloved, biggest love in this world is Istanbul and trippie will have a lot about Istanbul this year.
We will talk about social campaigns, donation programs, social responsibility campaigns on trippie and try to increase the awareness.
Blog design will completely change.
There will be a section called `on the way streaming` which will focus on video.

Let`s see how it will be...

Craciun fericit for Ceausescus

2011-12-18T16:50:00.002+02:00

There were just a few short stories that I listened from my olders about Ceausescu. Then I had chance to find out more about him when I was reading about signicifant 20th century leaders. And a documentary that I recently watched reminded me of the recent Muammar Gaddafi execution (!). Regardless of any political views, it`s sad to these ends of once world leaders.

Nowadays, it`s been discussed to open a `dictator tourism` in Romania and I totally agree with it. Hiding the history away from the new generations does not make any good. Children must know and learn what has happened in the past. but usually governments have concerns about being that open. Same stories exist also in my country, Turkey.

And right now, Ceausescu couple is lying down in Ghencea cemetery in Bucharest and I wanted to pay a visit before Christmas. Just my curiosity.

Their graveyard is in Cimitirul Civil Ghencea and it`s open at the weekends. Entrance is free. When you step in, you just walk 300 metres and the graveyard is on your left side just opposite the church.

Their graveyard is one of the others. Just a three coloured bouquet on it. Next to me, there was an old lady who came for his son`s graveyard to wish him `Craciun Fericit - Merry Christmas` and with my limited Romanian we had a little conversation about their old leader, as well. It was a different feeling for me trying to help her hang out a little christmas present on her son`s graveyard, Ceausescus lying at my right side.

And I left the place, thinking that maybe they could care about `the history` a bit more.

Guestpost : Shatila Refugee Camp

2011-12-14T19:17:00.000+02:00

This guestpost is from Zehra, who is travelling, writing, organizing tours, photoshooting and so on about almost everywhere in the world . You can view her blog here (in Turkish & English) . Zehra, thank you very much for this very interesting post about a refugee camp.

Till now, Lebanon has been the most interesting place for me in Middle East. Poor and rich, Muslim, Christian and Druze, full of contrast, live together here. Muslims live in different conditions here. Lebanese Arab Muslims live in downtown and are in the trade. And the majority Palestines try to survive in Slums or refugee camps. You can not believe what you see in these refugee camps.

We, as 27 photographers, entered in Shatila Refugee Camp to experience these unlucky lives and divided into groups. Once we told them that we were Turk and Muslim, we were very surprized of their reaction towards us. They were so happy to see us and welcomed us so sincerely. A shop owner invited us for a glass of juice, and when we wanted to pay for it, he said this offer would hurt him. Another one calling us from the balcony invited us to his home. We had a tea talk together. There had been no other time that I was so proud to be a Turk. On the other side, no other time that I was so disgusted to be a humanbeing, seeing this cruelty.All these people left their houses, their own lands and trying to live in these bad conditions in a refugee camp.

In all the houses and shops, you could see posters, pictures related to Israel. On some of the walls, we could see flags of Palestine. They did not even let us take photos in some of the places. They did not want these strategic places to be transcribed. It was logical if you thought how many times they had been under attack. According to the records, on 16-18 September 1982, Israel soldiers killed 3.500 civilians in 2 days in Sabra and Shatila camps. And last bombing was, as we all remember, in 2006. All damaged and destroyed buildings are left in Shatila. These left grey buildings made the camp even more tragic.

In the entrance, there were armed soldiers or civilian dressed watchers. Their main purpose was to protect themselves against an unexpected attack, once again. Just a while after, one of these watchers (followers) stopped us and asked where we were from. After a phone call, he took us away to a shop. We, a group of 10, entered the shop. A guy welcomed us on the door and told us not to take any photos here and leave the place. We thanked him and continued our way in little back streets. And, just like in the movies, 3 guys with 2 motorcycles stopped us just at the corner. They started to question who we were. All had sun glasses covering their tough faces. We talked in English and told that we were Turk and Muslim. Then they wanted to check our cameras, which we were afraid of the most. I felt like I was in a film studio. I realized that we were in a really dangerous place. I started to show the photos without taking my camera off my neck. We told them all photos are permitted. And once again, we were safe because of being Turk and Muslim.

But when we continued to walk through the streets, the motorcycles continued to invade us, passing between us again and again. Of course, without an identity check, it was impossible to convince that we were Turk and Muslim. We decided to leave the camp because of these behaviours. When we were back to our hotel, we found out that our other friends had the same problems. Some of our friends were stucked in a clash between the police, soldiers and civilians. When the panzers and tanks were coming, they were taken to another house to be interrogated. When they were escaping, they saw some kids eating watermelons in the garbage, but they could not dare to photo.

I lost myself. I haven`t seen such a confusion, such lost lives. I am back from Lebanon, but my heart is still there. Anyone going to Lebanon, must at least take a look in Shatila refugee camp and then thank God for his/her freedom.

Guestpost : I brought greetings from Rhodes, Greece

2011-12-12T18:10:00.003+02:00

This guestpost is from Irem, who has been sincerely blogging about her trips . You can view her blog here (in Turkish) . Irem, thank you very much for your support and wish to enjoy your all incoming trips...

First of all, I want to say something to Greek Ministry of Tourism or Foreign Affairs : We were in Bodrum, it was crowded, my mind was messed up, I needed to get out of this crowd. Actually, I had been thinking of going to Rhodes, before coming here. Going there from either Bodrum or Marmaris and coming back the same day.

I was checking out the ferry timetable and my friend Ece immediately called her father to take care of me in Rhodes. Of course, this made me totally lazy ! No maps, no search, no details...We took the 8.30 ferry from Bodrum, the ferry which was freezing inside. I was regretful that I haven`t taken any towels or loincloths while wearing my bikinis. I was frozen in this 2.5 hours road because of air-conditioner.

When we arrived in Rhodes, a warm sticky weather welcomed us. First, I was afraid, but then I learned that Ece`s father, Ceyhun, was coming to pick me up with his motorcycle. I would be on the motorcycle and the wind would blow me up.

First Ceyhun and then Rhodes castle and city walls welcomed me. While passing through the castle to the old bazaar, I was feeling like I was getting closer to Cyprus or Grand Bazaar (Istanbul). I could not feel like I was in a greek island, yet. The architecture proves that once the history of Rhodes was full of pirates, cavaliers, Ottomans, Italians and Greeks. Ceyhun took me to all Turkish shop owners and introduced me to them, one by one. Everyone was a little bit worried, maybe because of being a part of minority.

At the end of old bazaar, we stopped in `Hafiz Ahmet Aga Library`. The library was closed and when we tried to get in the garden, a greek look like Turkish lady opened the door. She was the wife of library manager Yusuf. They welcomed us into the breezy garden. That day, Turkish minister of foreign affairs, Davut Guloglu and greek ministers had a secret meeting, but as Yusuf was aware whole Rhodes was aware of this meeting, as well. The reason of the meeting was visa-free travelling option for Turkish travellers who are going to 12 Greek islands of struggled Greece.

This topic has been talked every year but hopefully this summer they will be able to solve it, I don`t want to go to Mytilene alone.

Yusuf invited me to show inside the library, me coming from far away. Irem, you are lucky anytime ! In the library, there were special manuscripts, even one of the two Qurans was in this little special library.

After Hafiz Ahmet Aga Library, we reached the Cavalier Path. In old times, cavaliers were walking on this stone path. How magnificient it was !

After visiting historical houses and Ece`s grandparents` old house, it was time to get on the motorcycle. First Mandraki, then Rhodes monumental area, Nisantasi-like new bazaar, tomb that I forgot the name, Cretan neighborhood, big hotels with casinos, amazing beaches and Ceyhun`s farm house...In Rhodes you can jump to the sea anywhere you want, just like Kos. Plus, they are free, public beaches. All of them are turquise colour, glassy with sand or pebbles. Motorcycle was quite common in Rhodes, but I haven`t seen that many ATVs as in other islands. Anyways, I was enjoying my moto ride. When we arrived in the farm, Ece`s aunt and uncle welcomed us. As we were full, they invited us for a delicious Turkish coffee. Just after, corn fig. Normally, fig is not good for my migraine, but this was something else. After coffee session, we had a walk in the garden, full of fruit trees. The land was huge, even they have sold a part of it.

On our way back, we climbed up to the hill to have a Rhodes view from the top. I saved this image into my mind instead of my camera as I wanted to share it clearly and fully with you.

Rhodes was full of Ottoman work. Some of them were protected and some, almost lost. And Rhodes governorship wasn`t doing much to protect them, as they said so. Even they are not so willing in keeping the Ottoman touch, the island has a very important geographical and historical position, mainly because of Ottoman effect.

Until I heart freeshop seller`s greek accent, I haven`t really recognized that I was in a Greek island. I had only one contrition in this trip. Although I very much like travelling alone, next time I want to take someone with me, I need to have also pictures with myself :)

At the end, I want to say something to Turkish Ministry of Tourism or Foreign Affairs, anyone who can hear me....

Discover Anastasia Meziki

2011-12-11T21:01:00.001+02:00

I do not so much write about `places` like hotels, restaurants, cafes, etc in this blog unless it really amazes me. And this time, Anastasia Meziki did. So I sincerely want everyone visiting Buyukada (one of Prince Islands in Istanbul) to visit this historic mansion as well. And it`s a kind of `thank you` for Ismail Sarikaya, the manager of the place.

I have visited the islands many times before but this time was a very special one and this place made it extremely special for me. Let me describe shortly about Buyukada on December. Unlike summer season, Buyukada is almost empty, with islanders and few foreigners, streets are lonely after 6 p.m., weather is so clean and refreshing and relaxing, little paths are welcoming you till to the top of the hill until Ayia Yorgi Church. Only cats, dogs and coaches are accompanying you, the sea is lying down under your feet..There`s a wonderful smell of raki and fish on the coast.

And, Anastasia Meziki, our historic mansion, maybe older than 100 years, is the place where you should stay. The interior design, the smell inside, the furnitures, the accessories, the view...Everything is so orginal and attractive.

I feel myself lucky that I found this place, by chance from a blog post and I sincerely advise you to try if you decide to stay in Buyukada.

And once again, thanks to Ismail for his hospitality and friendship. For sure, we will be there again.

On flight post

2011-12-11T15:02:00.001+02:00

Right now, we are waiting in front of the gate, 203A, in Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. Sabiha Gokcen is one of two big Istanbul airports on the Asian side. Together with last term investments, it has grown a lot and became one of the biggest airports of its kind in europe. Our flight is back to Bucharest. I guess I will have tens of istanbul-bucharest flight posts in following months:) But still it's a nice memorial for me so good to keep here.

If you arrive in this airport, just outside you can find city shuttles in every half an hour and go to main destinations for 12 Turkish liras. Do not go for taxi if it's not urgent, because this airport is outside of the city.

So let me enjoy my flight once again

On flight post : bucharest-istanbul

2011-12-07T12:08:00.001+02:00

Another flight to istanbul from bucharest has come again. This time instead of Turkish Airlines, we r flying with Pegasus, another Turkish company. Seat is 13D.
Enjoy the flight, its nice to travel alone:)

Avusor Plateau, Rize, Turkey

2011-12-02T11:20:00.001+02:00

This guestpost is from Salih, who has visited so untouched and virgin places in Turkey . You can view his blog here (in Turkish) and if you liked it, can vote here in Blog Awards Competition. Salih, thank you very much for your support and wish to enjoy more posts from you...

Avusor Plateau is in Camlihemsin town in Rize. You pass through Ayder Plateau to reach here. The road is pretty ok until Ayder Plateau, but after that it narrows and gets worse. You follow the road near the cliff which feels like you are flying. Too exciting in the bends, not all the cars succeed to go around the curve at once. The view is amazing.

Once you get closer to the plateau, small stand alone houses start to appear. Noone lives in most of the villages, anymore. But you can come across people in unexpected areas.

You can see Avusor Plateau in above picture, there are around 40-50 houses here. They are not that tall because of the snow. We have a short break in a resting place which has a small shop and cafe. No way to sleep overnight. If the weather is ok, you can stay in a tent or stay in Ayder Plateau, the closest.

The old lady makes some tea. She is running both the shop and cafe. Both places are made of wood. Interestingly, it was so comfortable, maybe we were bored of concrete.

Cafe looks like old Turkish inns from this movie, a totally minimalist interior design. Anyways, we would not expect more from such a place in 2.600 metres high.

And that`s `Sasgun Bakkal` that has been restored recently. It was quite different in the old photos. This looks artificial, they wanted to have a funny Black sea style. (Black sea jokes)

This shop may be surprising for a city guy, cause there are not so many product types, one per each. There was another shop in the plateau but was closed.

When we were walking around, we met also Mr. Recep (Turkish Prime Minister)

After another break, we wanted to see the famous lake of the plateau. A local guy caught us and started to tell about the history of the plateau and the lake. As he could not finish his story, he wanted to join us and did until the lake.

And this is a mini hydroelectric plant up to the village. The village takes the electricity from here. In most of the Black Sea villages and plateaus, you can see these little plants.

The lake is 45 minutes far from the plateau and it`s an enjoyable and comfortable path..

The guy found us again and started to talk about the history. His knowledge impressed us. Old name of Pazar, Rize`s town, was Atina. It did not sound so real, that time, but google proved the guy, its name was Atina until 1928.

The view is awesome. The name of the hill is `Kemerli Kackar`. Don`t get confused about lake`s name, it`s either Avusor Golu, Buyuk Gol or Kemerli Gol. On the map, it`s as Buyuk Gol.

In all the trip in this region, for sure there is `tulum` and in each flat area, they play `horon`. I was surprised at first, but well this is normal here. The hill over there (in the photo above) is `Kemerli Kackar` and lake is just on the hillside.

Thanks to CAYDOSK for the trip. If you come here, there are many trips organized by local organizations. You should attend one of them.

CHECK THE MAP from Camlihemsin to Buyuk Gol

Golge Kafe, Istiklal Street, Istanbul

2011-12-01T21:28:00.001+02:00

This guestpost is from Huseyin, who is introducing us the most beautiful street in the world. You can view his blog here (in Turkish) and if you liked it, can vote here in Blog Awards Competition. Huseyin, thank you very much for your support and wish to enjoy more posts from Istiklal Street...

Dear readers, as the winter is coming closer, we are opening Istiklal Street season here as well. As mistiklal bloggers, let us warm you with a lovely place. Actually, Golge Cafe is one of the few places in Istiklal Street which has chairs outside also. (read what has happened here)

I want to explain something shortly. Frequent visitor of Golge Cafe is a friend of mine, not me actually. But my friend shared what to write with me, so that`s why I am writing it here. Reputedly, the owner of the cafe supposed to be a very handsome guy (Girls, unfortunately we can not see him around anymore) and he was usually hanging out there. Friend of my friend was in love with him so that`s why they were going there so often. Nowadays, the wife of the owner is usually in the cafe, so don`t ask for `the handsome owner` please :) And they have such a sweet daughter. Additional info : Golge Cafe was in the next building and then moved to the current one.

Anyways, let`s talk about the main point, the place. As I told before, Golge is one of the places which municipal police could not remove the outside chairs, because they have their own garden and you can sit outside, no problem. And they have a big mirror which people usually walk in mixing the entrance, guys entrance door is just nearby ! Food is delicious, prices are more or less same with Ara Cafe. For the ones who live alone and miss home food, they have rice with tomato. They even have `ayran asi corba` which you cam rarely find somewhere else. They have a home made menu which finishes at lunch time and it`s very hard to find a place at that time. If you really want, let someone keep a table for you from the morning :) I just told about home made food (Yes, I`m living alone) but they have also cafe food like chicken with basil and salads but everybody`s favourite is `Bruksel Muhallebi`.

They also have alcohol (including sangria). It`s an appropriate place for long chats but not working on the laptop. They just have one socket and it`s on the corner of the cafe. You can even come here for only their coffee and cookies.They have so nice margarin biscuits (Yeah, I was also fed with these ones when I was little)

Cafe is small and warm like a home. Leave me with my memories and go away !

Note : This place is such a special place that I will not tell you where it is. If you really want to go, you should find it yourself. Seek and find !

Guestpost : Bronze Nailed Into the Memory of the History

2011-11-28T09:53:00.001+02:00

This guestpost is from Ramazan Beduk, who writes about places in Istanbul in a poetical way. You can view his blog here (in Turkish) and if you liked it, can vote here in Blog Awards Competition. Ramazan, thank you very much for your support and wish to enjoy more posts about Istanbul..

The Persian Empire was the first big empire in the history. Persians were an effulgent empire, just like USA is now or Ottomans were once. The borders were starting from Iran, covering half of the world. It was reaching from Anatolia to Syria, Egypt to Mesopotamia, from India to Caucasia and to Central Asia...

Story starts here, because this huge land was never enough for Persian Empire. The power drove them crazy. They longed to possess Greece that time and attacked them with their dreadful, horrific armies.

On that day of the history, 31 Greek city states came together against Persians. It was a true fighting and at the end of the war, only remaining were, hundreds of thousands of dead Persian soldiers and their arrows, swords, shields, lances...

And, Greeks wanted a memorial that would immortalize their victory and Persians` defeat for thousands of years..

And they did.
They made such a monument that bronze nailed Persians` defeat into the memory of history.

You know how ?

They melted Persian soldiers` arrows, swords, shields and lances..Then they twisted this melted iron like the shape of a snake.And they scraped 31 victorious Greek city states` names on it.

And now, in 2011, when you look at this column in Istanbul, instead of an iron column, you see the miserable arrows, beaten swords, bloody lances of effulgent, powerful, invincible Persian army.

Note : Serpent column is in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul.

Guestpost : Mama, I have walked on ropeways

2011-11-25T12:50:00.001+02:00

First guestpost is from Esra, who currently lives in Ghana. You can view her blog here (in Turkish) and if you liked it, can vote here in Blog Awards Competition. Esra, thank you very much for your support and wish you an enjoyable and exciting time in Ghana.

Noone has died because of anxiety, right ? But probably, some have fainted. For example, who would rescue me if I have a panic attack here and how ? Worse than this, if I faint because of fear, where would I fall down ? Harriet, please don`t go away, slower please. Oh, sorry !

I am afraid of height. Long time ago, when we were going to Samsun, the car, which I and my mother were sitting inside, slided back to the cliff just while my father and brother were fixing the tyre chains. That`s the oldest memory I remember. I would say I am afraid of height since then, but afterwards I had climbed to the top of Uludag and Alanya Castle. If I really had a phobia, would I still climb ? Yes, in fact, I have been frozen on both of them and they helped me go down.

- Sweetie, do they force you to climb there ?

- What can I do ? I came to Ghana, a real rain forrest just half an hour far away from amazing coast city, Cape Coast and a crazy experience on these ropeways - hanging 30 metres over the ground - is waiting for me. Tell me, what can I do ?

I have gone.

There are seven 50 metres long bridges for a unique tarzan experience. You are jumping from one tree to another. You should stay with two feet very next to each other on these bridges, that`s it. So, you should move like a ballerina so that you wouldn`t shake the whole bridge.

I was damn afraid to tell the truth, but it worthed. Majesty of trees, colours in the forest, feeling of continuous rains...I will remember this day as `the day I was walking on ropeways in Ghana`s rain forrests` . Of course, I would not skip such a day from my future memories..

Our overnight stay was in a beach hotel.

Atlantic ocean, limitless beach, palm trees, a pub and our bungalows. And lobsters :) All these can lengthen one`s life..

On our second day, we had a castle visit called Elmina.

Castle reminds me of war, guns, defence, citadel and so on... For me, visiting a castle is not a mandatory and not so enjoyable but just must be ticked activity. You walk through empty interiors, a short tour inside, 2 photos on the top and go down.

The castle I saw today, was out of my perception, unthinkable, inexplicable. It was a place where I cried for the people I had never known. Insistent, despairing...I can not even describe how I really felt..

For Africans, the word `castle` means the harbour where they were selling slaves. As Ghana was the entry to West Africa, these three castles were used to bring the slaves from other countries, stamped with red hot anchors. The biggest of these 3, is the Elmina in Cape Coast. Approximately, out of 7 million slaves brought here, 3 million died inside. (I was thinking the worst side of being a slave is to be sold as a slave, but after visiting this castle I started that could be even a happy ending for them.)

Rooms are seperated, male and female. These are the people who were kept in Nazi camp-like rooms - even more cruel - which have no toilets, bathrooms and for many months no way to go out. The ones who got sick are filled in dungeons as group of 30. There should be at least 15 dead inside to let the doors of dungeons open.

They always raped women, grew up the born babies and sent them to other villages. Afterwards, these whiter skin kids have been called with their own names, De Souza from Portugal, Van Vicker from Holland, etc..These names still exist in Ghana, as those grown up kids named their kids with those names as well, thinking that they come from `Herrenvolk. These names differ according to the autonomy of the country. Elmina is built by Portuguese (name comes from `La Mina`) and then by Dutch. So, that`s why, these ethnic names are common around Cape Coast.

And most inspring part was the heavy smell in the rooms where the slaves were kept. We could not stay inside, even for 5 minutes.

I am cutting it here. I can write dozens of more, but am so sure I will come here again, in time. When my mother and brother comes here on the new year, I know where to take them, now :)

ps : Rest of the photos are on the facebook page, with a link below. You can like it and start following all the posts

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Anne-ben-afrikaya-ta%C5%9F%C4%B1n%C4%B1yorum/199743423431912?sk=wall

Love, Esra

trippie welcomes guestbloggers

2011-11-23T17:13:00.001+02:00

I have always wanted guest bloggers to write on this blog. There have been some friends who have shared their experiences, here and here. And when I was more active in hospitality club / couchsurfing organizations, my guests (who were staying in my place) were writing about their experiences in their own languages. That was a very enjoyable experience as well, I had had more than 50 notes and succeeded to turn some of them into blog copies. This was one and this was another. And this was Jimmy`s, always a great supporter for my blog.

After these trials, now, I really want to enrich this blog with posts from different blogs. To share more trippie experiences, to introduce different blogs and bloggers and most important to feel the solidarity and diversity of bloggers...

As a start, I want to introduce you 8 bloggers who gladly and kindly accepted my request. I want to thank to Huseyin, Bekran, Ramazan, Salih, Irem, Hande, Esra and Bilgi for their apprehension, delicacy and support.

Son on following weeks, we will be enjoying guest posts from www.mistiklal.com, www.bekransarsilmaz.com, www.biristanbulhayali.com, www.miskinlertekkesi.net, kuyruksuzucurtma.com, www.gumuspusula.com, annebenafrikayatasiniyorum.blogspot.com and gezigurmeguzellik.blogspot.com

Let`s see what comes out...

Photo Source

First On flight post

2011-11-18T18:52:00.001+02:00

I decided to try some on flight posts as they might be nice memories afterwards. And here i am waiting for turkish airlines's bucharest-istanbul flight
It's an early boarding but i guess due to the crowd at this hour. From Bucharest to Istanbul I think this is the most crowded one. Anyways wish myself a nice flight with my evening reading, also to the chinese guys sitting near me..

10th of November

2011-11-10T23:07:00.001+02:00

Today is the anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's death, founder of turkish republic. He's accepted as the leader of Turkish revolution, independence and renaissance. There have been always discussions if he was a leader of a revolution or a dictator which ruled the country. Actually these discussions have been always raised by europeans who have welcomed democracy, freedom and republican lifestyle much later than Turkish in last century. Almost all European countries have been ruled either by a fascist dictator or vice versa, but same, communist dictator. So it's normal for them not to understand what Ataturk means and actually is for Turkish people and the world. Their arguments rely on the issues which have no relation about how Turkey was managed. In this post, I don't want to raise these topics as they are used as political purposes nowadays and have no scientific, realistic proofs behind. I just want any of you to read how a guy trusted his nation, tried and succeeded a revolution and implemented a totally new system again for the nation. In fact, no need to talk much about, his famous words, peace at home peace in the world, summarize everything.
Turkey unfortunately could not continue the revolutions as it started and got so late in implementation of human rights, freedom of ideas, women's status in social life and so on.
I am really happy to know Ataturk, his ideas, his ambition and beliefs. And happy to be the next generation to continue on his way..
I just recommend for the ones who are judging him wrongly to read and search about these years, world's fcked up situation and how he was different than European dictators...

Through Moldavia up to Piatra Neamt

2011-10-31T02:02:00.001+02:00

Romanian cities are not that fashionable that you can find info about in any tourist guide or travelling site. I feel lucky that because of being employed here, I have had chance to taste and experience here in these 2 years. I guess, I had time to see the differences between Bucharest and others, south and west, Transilvania and Moldavia..

And recently, thanks to friends, I had opportunity to discover another part of Romania during a short but full weekend trip through the path below : bucharest - buzau - focsani - bacau - pietra neamt

I again repeat myself that Romania has such a beautiful nature that only needs a well organized transportation to reach this beauty. Roads are generally ok, but need some arrangement, maintenance and additions. This area of Romania, namely Moldavia region, is the poorest region in the country and you can evidently see it. The level of civilization, social life, city planning and so on is much different and to tell the truth much behind of country average. Of course, it is normal, like in any country. It`s all about the economical activities, politics, Republic of Moldavia issues, immigration from these areas and so on..

It was the trip that I could unify Moldavia region - Romania with south east region and Turkey. The stories behind and results of these stories are more or less same. This is one of the important remarks for me about this trip. Another was the picturesque Piatra Neamt with its mountains and lakes around, completely natural and virgin...And last but not least, I realized once again that, each road I am taking, each new location I am visiting, each trippie moment I am experiencing is putting one more milestone in my life and that gives much more enthusiasm and belief for my travelling joy.

How You Can Contribute to Van Earthquake

2011-10-24T12:58:00.000+03:00

Yesterday, an earthquake happened on very east of Turkey, in Van. As the earthquake area is quite wide in the country, a strong earthquake is expected anytime and yesterday one of them hit the east badly. The damage is huge and until now over 250 dead are found. It might reach up to a thousand. There are two big organizations who are involved in rescue operations, AKUT and KIZILAY. In these cases, a fast intervention can save many lives and supporting these organizations is important in delivering food, drink and necessary supplies. Social contributions worth a lot in these natural disasters...

So, if you are willing to help these people, you can use the details below.
For AKUT, find the donation accounts here
For KIZILAY (Turkish Red Crescent Society), you can donate online here.
And it might save some lives, you can report if someone is found or you are looking for someone lost in earthquake, using this google service here

Anyone out there in Targoviste ?

2011-10-09T18:35:00.001+03:00

Maybe having the second city after bucharest with a population of 300K is not the main reason why romania can't create another star city but it definitely affects. I, personally, am sure that I wouldn't be living in any other city here and targoviste is another example including tens of others I have been. Well, on Saturday, just on a little rainy day, for the whole day, I have seen max 10 people around. City is like, left after a world war. Little old times shops, 90% are closed, no commerce, no human attraction, no sound. I have seen a couple of eu-bla bla institutions but am suspicious if any aspects of eu, west, open borders have arrived this city. Loading every kind of commercial, political, cultural, etc activity to Bucharest will not help Romania equalize with the fellow countries. Even cities around Bucharest, like Targoviste, are left to their destinies. From a whole day trip, this is my main and only impression. City centers, streets, open places are direct proofs of city life, I believe and offering a 3 months mountain skiing, a walk in the virgin nature and an anyway-people-come seaside is not enough for Romania. This city was once the capital of Wallachia authority, earlier a defending point against Ottomans and where Caueascu was executed. And 10 people on the streets on Saturday. Hard to understand. Hope the priest hears my wish which I left in the wish box inside the green church
Ah, by the way, the food was amazing, thanks to this old town restaurant :)

Palatul mogosoaia

2011-10-01T17:36:00.001+03:00

Mogosoaia is another just outside bucharest town where surprisingly was quite crowded. It's 10 mins away from bucharest on the north. I continue to appreciate romanians who have kept all these green & blue areas and all of them are live at the weekends. It's a worth to visit place, full of grillers and wedding events, having a decent restaurant inside palace-like building below

Zilele Bucureştiului, 550

2011-09-18T00:51:00.001+03:00

It s been 550 years since bucharest has been founded and even most Romanians complain, i still think this city has a bit of european way of comfort, art, history and so on.
Today there were events all over the city and this one in front of people's palace was one of them.. From all points of view, was a special time to remember

Str. George Enescu @7 a.m.

2011-09-17T08:09:00.001+03:00

This street takes its name from composer, george enescu. Currently there s an international classical music festival in honor of him as well. I don't know why i like this street so much, maybe because of my favourite irish pub, terminus. It's same like all other bucharest streets, you smell that once there has been history and art here, but all destroyed afterwards..

Dorobanti on mobile

2011-09-16T19:20:00.001+03:00

This is my first trial of mobile blogging,that i ve had an appetite for real time trippie blogging for a long time. As I am located in Bucharest, Romania, you will have an introduction to many places here..
So, our first place is Dorobanti, where interestingly became one of the most luxurious areas in Romania. Don't know why really. There are a bunch of cafes and pubs located here, mostly for people who d like to sit, watch around and show off. You know that kind. But I still don't get it where this overvaluation comes from:)
There are some nice cafes with little gardens where you can enjoy your cafe. That's what I did so far

Romania has a seaside, indeed

2011-09-11T18:48:00.001+03:00

Yes, actually, Romania is one of the luckiest countries in Europe that hosts mountains, beaches, rivers, lakes, whatever you need 4 seasons available. They can not promote it enough, that`s another story..So for this summer, I had enough of Romanian seaside and believe me it`s not that bad.

I am saying this, cause many people don`t even consider Romania as a `seaside resort`. But for a decent seaside weekend, Romania offers more than you expect.

First, let me start with the cons. The service generally sucks, but it`s quite general in Romania, so if you are a bit used to the standard service here, it doesn`t bother much. Which I couldn`t :) The `customer` idea is too far away still. About the sea itself, don`t expect a pure blue, full sand, cleanest sea. On July and August, and if there are no algea, you can enjoy the sea, though.

Also do not expect a 5 star hotel experience. Most of the hotels are built in those communist times and in 20 years, they just established a reception area and put a 37 screen TV in the rooms. That`s it. Hotels do not reserve private beaches, you just find a place and stay there. All public.

So, yes, these can be reasons why Romanian seaside do not attract foreigners. Romania serves for Romania, and they are ok about this. Because, from Bucharest for example, you can reach to the seaside in 3 hours, find a reasonable priced hotel, hostel or just put your tent somewhere on the beach.

Besides, people really don`t swim that much. I was even surprised how many people do not even know how to swim. Seaside is for fun, for drinking, for smoking, for shooting photos. Yes, this takes attention, really, in each corner, you can find a girl posing for a 4 mp cellphone camera :) It`s funny to see those poses in almost all fb profiles after summer. Doesn`t matter which town you are in (namely, Mamaia, Vama Veche, 2 Mai, Neptun, Saturn, Eforie Nord, Costinesti, etc..) party starts on the beach and continues in the clubs until next morning..

If you are passing throught Romania during summer, I advice you to spend at least one weekend in the seaside to have a different seaside experience. It will worth.

help somalia

2011-08-19T21:02:00.001+03:00

Around 11 million in Somalia is struggling due to lack of food and it`s said it`s the worst case in last 60 years. Where, how, to what kind of society you were born is totally destiny, luck or how you call it and I believe each of us must have something to do. Unfortunately, Africans are the weakest of inequally distributed world wealth and resources.

So, you, from the other part of the world, can either donate through a well known organization or try other alternative ways. Here there is World Food Programme where you can start with half a dollar to feed a child. Also you can support them through their official fb page. That`s just a trustable example which I use, but I d not prefer to make a long list here as you can reach any of them by googling `How to help somalia`.

Not another trippie post, but another destination that you might be interested in giving a help. I guess this video explains everything, no need for more words..

Explore the Garden

2011-07-15T03:06:00.000+03:00

Romania must definitely focus on promoting its nature more than anything. No one coming here would be impressed with the beaches, high quality service, charm of Bucharest or historical areas. Romania must play on the nature, the mountains, green and lakes. I really would like to write to this minister to set up tourism strategy only on this, well and nightlife, but this is another post`s topic.

Thanks to dear friends, we were in Eselnita village, sitting on Danube, at the Serbian border. These places are so virgin and untouched that you can simulate a heaven life. I am not so sure if the reason leaving these places so virgin is the environmental sensibility, but more the lack of sources to build up anything. Well this time, it works.

Another thing I really enjoy about Europe in general is the chance to enjoy the borders on the border. I mean there is no security concern, no military, no physical barriers, nothing..You can drink a beer in Slovenia-Austria border, drive through Switzerland-Germany-Austria border, take a boat trip in Serbia-Romania border...Unlike my enclosed country...

Not Only Screens Captured in Prague

2011-06-28T22:54:00.000+03:00

I realized that I haven`t written anything about my Prague trip from 2006. Some of my friends might know the story and I would like to keep it here in trippie as well. It was one of `almost mornings` of my Prague trip and I was trying to find home back from a pub. Suddenly, I saw a girl lying and crying on the pavement. Naturally I just approached to her to see if she is in an alcohol coma or just been left by her boyfriend there. Noone of them, she was just stupidly crying and smoking a cigar, lying almost dead. I asked her if everything is ok and that was the moment I noticed she had no English at all. Then came the body language and I understood that she was just drunk and stoned. Bingo, both of them !

I just helped her to sit up and right there appeared two more people, a guy and a girl who were also almost drunk. I was proud that after all these great Czech beers I was the most lasting and hardy one. With a nit smile, he asked me if I want to join them. And that was the exact moment which I should have left them, but here comes the story, I said `Yes.`

In the end, we were walking down to another street, four of us and then we stopped in front of an old building. There was only a small plate written `PUB` on it where I could guess we came somewhere familiar. He unlocked the door of the place and we all entered. It was totally dark inside and was smelling heavy beer. That was the second exact moment which I should have left them, when he locked the door behind. Then the first fear came up. Young turkish tourist locked in a strange pub in Prague with 3 stoned and drunk people. I just had a look around and the gun hanging on the wall was the only extraordinary thing I could see except the glasses and bottles.

I should tell the truth, I was damn scared but I couldnt show it apparently as I didnt want them to feel it. Then suddenly, the girl I found on the street started to get naked calling me to the toilet. On the background was coming ugly smiles of the others. I told them that I wanted to go out but the guy was just yelling at me that I should stay and have fun with them. Similar horror movies crossed my mind, but I had to stand strong/ The guy and the other girl already started to get naked also taking out their pills, drugs and whatever they had.

It was my last chance to try and again with a stronger voice I told him that I want to go out with some nice f... words. And finally the guy understood that he wouldnt enjoy his time as far as I am there so he just opened the door and let me out. Finished, I was finally free out of dirtiest-most scary place of lovely Prague.

Now on a post, it won`t sound as scary as I experienced or some of you would curse at me why I haven`t stayed there, but believe me that place with those people was almost like a `Saw` film set.

The rest of my Prague trip was as you all had : walking and enjoying the gothic city with lovely streets...But that was my memory souvenir from Prague ! Enjoy your trip, don`t mind the drunks lying on the streets..

Photo Source : http://www.fotograftoth.cz

How many centimeters is yours ?

2011-06-09T17:19:00.001+03:00

Greenpeace Turkey is running a campaign with this name in order to forbid fishing the immature fish. Hundreds thousands of people have joined this interactive campaign where you can grow up your fish by sharing and involving more people to support.
Until 21th June, they will be running this campaign in order to change the law when there will be a ministry meeting. The website is unfortunately only in Turkish, but what you can do is :

to fill the form here : http://www.kacsantim.org/ (Name/Surname, E-mail, Mobile and Birth date - then press Join (katiliyorum) )
to support my fish here : http://www.kacsantim.org/balik/OnurOzdemir1292123418?nor=1
Share it in social media at top right of the main page : http://www.kacsantim.org/

You are welcome if you want to support the campaign. As they say, we won`t have the big ones if we kill the small ones. You can read about the campaign in English here.

Muenchen Mag Dich !

2011-05-24T23:19:00.000+03:00

Most of the cosmopolitans around the world are in a big change, economically, socially, culturally and so on. But it seems like there is the capital of Bavaria, which never ever changes its style. It is Munich, the `Weltstadt mit Herz`/ I don`t know what you think about it, but obviously Muenchners enjoy the same beer, same square, same systems, same structure, same green, same peace/ I could see it live visiting the old town after two years. Definitely not my criterias, but according to many city index rankers, Munich is selected as the most liveable city in the world. Again I could confirm myself that it`s not my type of city, but thanks to all friends who made this `touristic memorable trip` a totally relaxing and enjoying one. Check the photos, you will understand what I mean...

To read more, you can come here..

Hristos a inviat la Sibiu & Alba Iulia

2011-05-01T16:53:00.000+03:00

Regardless of the easter time and enjoying these two cities, this trip had its `firsts`, at least I thought so.

candles sold for the dead`s soul at the cashier desk inside the church..

one way or another../

re-branding romanian towns...

voodoo child in sibiu...

monthly paid medieval soldier keeping the gate in alba iulia

el siesta de madrid

2011-04-22T18:37:00.003+03:00

Unlike its touristic rival, Barcelona, Madrid offers much more relaxing and refreshing time. I d like to share some episodes from 4 days trip.

First, as usual, comes from Barajas airport. All Romanians pass with their magic EU IDs and customs officials stop me because they find my passport and visa suspicious. After half an hour waiting in front of the office, the guy calls me and our lovely conversation starts with our espagnolized English.

O: Why do you have only one visa in your passport ?

O :Because all others are in my old one and I didn’t bring it with me. But this schengen visa must be ok.

O: Hm, but it`s a French visa

O: Yes, but it`s schengen in the end.

O: Why did you come to Spain then ?

O: To watch the game.

O: Jajajaj, why didn’t you tell it before ? Great ! Where is your ticket ?

O: My friend has it and she is waiting for me outside.

O: Who do you support then ?

O: Of course, Real Madrid.

O: Oh, great, great ! You can pass of course.

I always admired how this EU travelling policies are made and how officially implemented in all countries !

Second episode is about my `first observations` about Madrid : Offices close at 2 and if not between 2-4 it`s enjoying siesta time.

From early morning till next day early morning, you can see people chatting & drinking in open cafes. They are everywhere, even in little tiny back streets.

English hasn’t conquered Spain yet. Subway signs are totally clear even for a dumb tourist.

They have the most tasteful cuisine among all the European countries I have seen so far – especially all the combinations with seafood.

Bullfighting is interesting to watch, but definitely savageness and massacre. A glass of sangria with ice can take
all your exhaustion. Third episode is from Bueri Retiro Park.

I was walking around in the park, spending time until afternoon. I was just about to leave the park, when a Japanese lady approached me to ask where she can go out of the park. Then she realized the Turkish written T-shirt on me and from that moment on, all our conversation was in Turkish. Don’t know you, but it is not so common to meet a Japanese in Spain speaking Turkish more properly than most of the Turks.

Most important, gracias to my Izge for all !

Around the World

2011-03-10T21:37:00.000+02:00

I want to tell you a short story about a lovely couple, two good friends, Michal & Ralu. I had chance to meet them first during my Prague trip on 2006. I was searching for an accomodation via Hospitality Club and thanks to Michal, he agreed to host me. For the ones who are stranger to this type of accomodating and free travelling, it can sound a bit risky, dangerous or unpredictible but well I won't keep this post describing how you can have real trippie experiences with the help of this community.

I even remember our first conversation, I think :) I just stopped by where he used to stay in Prague and :

- Hi, I am Onur, are you Michal ?
- Yes, welcome to Prague, my apartment is over there. I will be a bit busy with work these days so better you also have the keys of the house.

When I look to the past, now I can see what all these experiences mean...How you can enjoy real friendships worldwide..How you can trust people...

Well, so I had 3 great days in Prague with Michal and his girlfriend, Raluca, that time. I say, that time, because next time it was their time to visit me in Istanbul for a week. And afterwards came their marriage which was held in Romania and which unfortunately I could not attend. Well, even my wedding present did not reach their address. So, Michal, originally from Slovakia and Ralu, orginally from Romania went on living and working in Prague, Czech Republic. They have been one of the model global couples that I have met in my life. Perfect combination ! Since then, I have counted them as real friends, as friends that I can always trust, as friends that I would visit anytime...

And also after the marriage they started a new version of life in Prague. Working hard, working long hours, life plans...etc...And suddenly, I heart that they have decided to leave everything behind and start a real world tour.

Now, for almost half a year, they are on the way...First USA, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco...then Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, San Salvador, Honduras, Nikaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and so on... and they are continuing..

Be sure that I am following you, guys, thanks to google translate :) And admire you once again...

Enjoy your trip, my friends and see you next time whereever it is !

Observing Romania

2011-02-20T23:45:00.000+02:00

It's been a while that I haven't listed romania observations. A few more came up now, so better to keep them here instead of my mind. Again, please note that all of them are not unique for Romania, may be characteristics of any other countries as well.

Romanians are definitely using one of the fastest internet in Europe. Download/upload speeds are really impressive. According to the sources, Romanian broadband connection is even in top 3 worldwide. Despite this fact, internet usage and online entrepreneurship is still at the beginning.

99% of the Romanians I have talked are hopeless about the country and the future. That's so apparent that you can see it on the most faces. It's something else than low salaries, crisis, political instability and corruption. Romania, being an EU member, is far ahead of many other countries, but you can not find a piece of excitement in most of the people. That obviously effects the way they live also.
Old people living in the apartments are a bit suspicious and scared of the others. There were many times that I have faced with scared eyes of those people inside the apartment. I relate it to the old times before 89.
Jeep drivers think that they are kind of the kings of the traffic. They never thank you back when you let them in front of you or never let you in front. At least the ones I have seen.
Your electric consuming is measured once in 6 months and fixed during these 6 months. After these 6 months, it is measured again and your consumption is balanced. This is the first time I experience, do not know why they can not find the exact amount monthly.
Some girls think that they are invited to Royal Palace ball when they are going out to a club. It looks like they are spending hours to get ready for a night club :)
The country has one of the best hackers around Europe !
Not my music type, but here one of the best house music is made. Probably after Holland, it's the 2nd most successful.
It kept my attention that Romanians love signing themselves (cross) while passing through a church. I haven't seen any other Eu country which I have noticed that obviously. Well hope God helps them :)

Never Waste Polish Vodka

2011-01-24T22:55:00.000+02:00

This story comes from one of my beloved countries, Poland. There were certainly many reasons that I visited Poland for five times and each time was so much fun. What I will shortly tell you happened in Krakow, the ones who have seen would definitely agree with me how much enjoyable this city can be. I was already in Wroclaw and Warsaw visiting my friends and wanted to see Krakow for one single day all alone myself. So as the train stopped in main station, I started to walk through all over the city. Probably most of you do not so much like travelling alone, but sometimes it can be a real fun. As it was for me too, in Krakow.

It was almost getting dark and I was almost dead walking through narrow back streets of Krakow. Then I heart a nice song playing in one of the pubs I was passing by. I just jumped in to have some drinks. And when I appeared on the door of the pub, a big group of people was shouting and inviting me for their table. Well, I can not refuse a vodka invitation :) It was a big Polish group with their British guests. And there were many polish vodka bottles on the table. So I just joined in their conversation..Time passed, we drank, time passed, we drank..It was almost midnight..Then we decided to go to a club to go on the night. Over 10 Polish guys, 5-6 British guys and a Turk. Like a joke, ha :) ?

When we were walking to the club, I realized that two of British were totally drunk, a guy and a girl.They were hardly standing. Then at that moment, they were lost. We had no idea where the fck they were. Suddenly, we heart some shoutings and loud discussions around the corner. It was coming near a governmental building. When we turned the corner, we saw them, kept by security guards, their pants off. You could think anything at that moment. But then we learned that these two were trying to pee on the governmental building's walls, and these security guys just caught them. And they were quite serious about it. I had no idea how strict can be the rules for a tourist peeing on government's walls. But we had to spend almost 1 hour negotiating with the security guys to let them free.

And yes we were lucky. They were free. You know how ? Thanks God, Polish guys love the vodka, so did the security guards. A bottle of Zubrowka ! Na zdrowie !!!

ps: If you missed the first short story, click here. If you didn't like it, try the second here :)

Naked Budapest

2011-01-21T20:29:00.003+02:00

So we are continuing these unforgettable trippie stories..Comparing with the first one, this one is more an enjoyable one. It came to my mind while taking a shower actually :) It was university times, I was studying in Istanbul with a limited student pocket money. It was a semester time on February and I decided to have a trip to lovely Budapest. I had seriously no money at all, so thanks to dear friends, I borrowed different amounts from them for the visa, flights, accomodation, etc..

So finally I was in Budapest, one of the cities I truly admire in eastern Europe. It was a perfect time with my hungarian folks and in last 2 days I stayed in one of my friends' dorm. And the story comes from that dorm. Before a night out, I needed to have a shower, naturally. So I took my towel, shampoo, etc and jumped into the showers. The bathroom was a unisex one and divided into 6 little shower cabins. The first funny thing was none of the cabins had a shower curtain. So think of three "U" type shower cabins facing the other three. There was noone when I entered, but at first I was hesitant to undress. Call it how I was grown up, my mixed asian-european traditional conservative turkish roots, foolness of being a foreigner, etc..whatever you can. But ok in the end I succeeded to take off everything for the shower. At that time entered 2 girls and a guy into the bathroom and they weren't as hesitant as me. On seconds, they were totally naked under the shower just opposite me. Well, just for a second, I felt weird, confused and silly. Ok, to be honest, the female part of the cabins was satisfying, but overall situation was "surprising" for me.

When I was back in the room and told my friends about the story, I have recognized I was not the only fool for the first time experiencing this. But it seemed that everyone in that dorm somehow got used to the idea. And later on, the spa experiences, woodstuck beaches, nudist gardens, etc..were easy pieces after this first experience. But still now, to tell the truth, this situation does not seem that normal as you can not expect -only- 5 ladies showering with you :)

So another story to remember, long live lovely Budapest !

Personal Jesus

2011-01-18T21:35:00.000+02:00

One of the greatest part of trippies is having unexpected conversations with random people. During my trips, I have had such memories that I would probably never ever forget. But still better to keep them written as well. I will tell you short stories here, that somehow keeps place in me.

Let me start with the current story, from the city which I still survive, Bucharest. There's a very old lady who stands in need of help. She is not a beggar actually. She sells some basic religious icons & handmade stuff on the street. She is always at that same place, from very hot summer mornings to freezing winter nights..I realized her existence after a while and started to have little talks with her, with my so little romanian :) As far as I understood, she is around 70 years old, left alone on the streets, homeless and trying to survive..After a while, instead of giving some money, every Monday evening I started to prepare a sandwich for her. It went on like that for a while..

And then it was christmas time, around 1 month ago, she was again there. Everyone had already left to their hometowns and I was also one of the few who stayed in the city as I don't have much to do with christmas, actually. I went down to give her sandwich and she took out something from her pocket. How can I describe, it was a Jesus portrait on a fabric cloth (sorry about my vocabulary about fashion :) and she gave it to me as a Christmas present with a big Christmas hug. So that was the moment that really touched me...

She is still there, I stopped (not on purpose) preparing sandwich for her, but she still smiles when I see her..Ah what happened to this present - Don't know if it was the right behaviour but I gave it to a kid who came to my door to sing a christmas carol...He was also happy, I guess, I hope..

For some time, I will keep you busy with these little stories...Try to enjoy.

What is really happening in TUNISIA ?

2011-01-14T22:58:00.000+02:00

Many of you might not know what is going on in Tunisia now, but actually there is a civil revolution right now and the rumours say that the president already left the country. The news are spreading around and I wanted to hear the story from a real source. Thanks to my dear friend, Houcem, who is a Tunisian and experiencing the revolution live himself has informed me. Below, find his initial explanation what has happened there. I just wanted to use this blog to spread the word wider..[Source : Houcem Boudaya, 14.01.2011 - Photo Sources: Twitpic]

Hi Onur,
In two words it was a spontaneous public revolution against the president and the government. It was launched when a very poor fruit seller burned himself in the city center after a municipality officer (she was a women) slapped him because he hadn't a permission.
After that the whole poor city started the manifestations and complaining about the high number of young educated unemployed people, the poverty, the corruption...
but the government gave the order to the police to use the fire, and many people were killed.
then the manifestation started in the other cities, and in Europe and america and Canada.
And today, was the big day, when 60 000 people were in the manifestation in Tunis the capital and 40 000 in my city Sfax. Iin the end of the day the prime minister announced that president "ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI" left the country and he is the president of tunisia.
but in this moment people went back to street because normally the president of the parlement should be the president in the case the current president left forever, but the prime minister said clearly that the president left temporary.

So Tomorrow we will go back to the streets to finish the story, and the tragidy, after more that 100 people killed by the police,

God bless Tunisia!

ps : You can follow up also here : http://twitter.com/#search?q=T%C3%BAnez

faq turkey - 2

2010-12-25T21:54:00.001+02:00

After the first part of the faq (frequently asked questions) turkey series, it seems curiosity about turks & turkey does not decrease. At least, to continue the series, I have a bunch of interesting (!) questions. So let's reply them all.

Do you celebrate Christmas ?

Well, Christmas is a holy day for the Christian community, so if we consider Turkey is known as a Muslim country, Christmas is not a big deal. But there are increasing number of Santa Klaus and red thong promotions commercially. Besides that, although it is not recognized as a holiday country-wide, any Christian is free to live his/her own Christmas experience in Turkey, as well.

Turkish people do not believe in Jesus, right ?

Yes, as you mean Muslims by Turkish people, we do believe in Jesus. Only difference is the main prophet is known as Muhammed and it's believed that Jesus is not the son of the God and he was not crucified. That's the belief according to Islam.

Are you also circumcised like the Jew ?

Yes and don't worry, it is just the foreskin :) If you wonder more about the operation, Wikipedia may help you here. Plus, this is also considered as a health operation as well which non-Muslim or non-Jew people can also have.

You don't like the Greeks ?

This is a big bullshit. Historically and politically two countries have some conflicts, that's true. But we are talking about the citizens of two countries which have almost same traditions, culture, cuisine, etc...So this country HATE country couplings stayed in primary school history books, I guess.

Are you allowed to marry up to 4 women ?

Turkey is, also, a democratic Republic. For your info !

Turkish guys do not want to have a serious relationship with foreigner girls ?

Well, I am aware that Turkish guys do not have the greatest reputation especially in West Europe. This has some unfortunate reasons. But this again depends on the person you have met. For the girls : Just try to be a bit smart and get to know your guy, it's independent from the nation.

to be continued...

I want a ....... for Christmas !

2010-12-20T22:42:00.000+02:00

I don't know how it is going on in your town, but here in Bucharest, people are almost ready for a Christmas & New Year time with their beloved ones. On one hand, it's suprising how people are on a momentary party mood, on the other hand it's nice to see a "totally moving" period. Well they will be back on 1st of January :)

And this is the 4th year that I am posting here. There have been 108 posts through those 4 years trying to leave a "memento" from my trippie experiences. I did not start it to earn money - well I am not that blogger either - , I did not have millions of readers - monthly 1.000 pageviews actually - and I had different kinds of contributions - some gave me a big support, some just made jokes about -.

Now, closing another year full of surprises for me, I want to save another "next year" list here to check at the end of 2011. Here comes my list for next year, let's see which ones will be ticked.

1. 2010 was unfortunately was not full of trippies. I plan to go out of "Europe" in 2011. I don't know where exactly, but it will be outside this continent.

2. I will stop smoking ! (Well that will be one of the biggest and toughest achievements for me)

3. I will re-start swimming, properly. It's been a long time away from the water.

4. I will definitely learn damn Romanian :) Listening - speaking - writing : a whole package !

5. I will actively and definitely take part in a worldwide social project. I have the candidate list with me, 2011 will be the time to choose and dive in !

Not that hard to complete, ha :) ?

Wish you a delightful and exciting X-mas & New Year time !

ps : Sorry to destroy your holy mood, but this is my lovely jingle bells present for you...

Photo Source: Just it was the place that I wanted to spend this and each new year...

5 Things you have misunderstood about Romanians

2010-12-19T22:24:00.000+02:00

Well it's quite normal to scratch out the country you are living in, so that's what I am doing. Plus, unfortunately, 2010 was not my best trippie year ever unlike previous years or next years, so this why recently romania-related posts are welcoming you. This time, I remembered all the comments when I first decided to come to Romania. My friends, people that I met, my family, everyone had different images of Romania, naturally. And after one year of life experience, it's good to enlighten people, totally subjectively, from my perspective. Here comes the top 5 stereotyped comments that I was told and it's my time to make a comment about them.

1. Are you going to a gypsy land ?

This is quite a common stereotype about Romania. How Romania felt into this situation relies on the historical facts. Orginally coming from India, Romani people spread whole Europe, If you are more interested in their historical background, I highly recommend you to read about the Holocaust times, some sad Nazi facts about assimilation on gypsies. So shortly and very basicly just update your knowledge about the roots of gypsies. Plus, there is nothing wrong with them, just same old story, integration, cultural and socio economical incoordination..Similar immigration problems occur in any other countries. Approximately gypsy population in Romania is around 2 million. (where population of Romania is around 21 million)

2. Romanian music = Big boobs sexist lolipop blondies' popular songs ?

Well, pop music is trendy. In US, popular hiphop is no different. And, as an effect of post communism this consuming style also exists in Romania of course. But just following some certain shity tv channels, do not expect to get more than this from Romania. They have various kind of songs, singers, bands, etc...and people that are choosing them. Shortly, Romanian music is not just this :

3. You can not walk on the streets because of the dogs !

That's true that there's quite a lot of dogs on the streets. There has been some governmental tries (!) to stop this, but still there are many untended dogs around. I haven't bitten by any of them yet and most of them seem OK :) I can't controvert this observation, but I think there are some other more disturbing reasons not being able to walk on the streets.It will be a topic of another post.

4. Romanian girls' teeth are ugly.

This was a funny comment from some friends and I don't think it's a national issue :)

5. We are cheated, stolen, etc....

Just take care ! Yes, you are not in the world's safest country, but rest of 6 billion people are also not. You are not in Luxemburg, Zurich or Stockholm. Yes, some taxi drivers cheat; yes I have been stolen also; yes I saw crying ladies stolen, etc..But, I still think Bucharest is quite safe ! I think it depends on your safety criterias.

More to come...

Any Chip on your Tongue ?

2010-12-12T22:33:00.001+02:00

Language is obviously one of the few conspicuous details that makes you feel that you are in another land. And to teach the language is one of the biggest motivations of locals meeting foreigners which is totally understandable. Plus, it's the strongest key to be accepted, adapted, adopted and so on. Isn't it right that, unconsciously, it takes your attention to hear your 'own' language somewhere abroad ?

I have always appreciated those guys who were able to speak several languages and easing their lives while travelling, immigrating, expatriating..I could never be one of them :) Popping up with a turkish mother language, I was already not that lucky unifying my language with some others. Turkish is unfortunately not similar to any other languages in the world. And then a long secondary & high school time, trying to learn English from Mr. & Mr.s Brown cassette tapes..Even daring to blog in English, I am still just a simple user of it, I guess. Then came a mannered time when I had attended an Italian course for over a year. Result : I forgot all, only "che culo" remained I think :) Afterwards, I had chance to live in Germany and I think I can handle to speak a bit further than Rammstein song lyrics. Finally, here comes the Romanian, our lovely Latin (yes, many still think it's a Slavic language) based language which after a year I can catch up some basic conversations. So, to make a self-criticism, I can not speak any of them properly :)

Ok, actually, this post is not about how incapable I am, but more about the motivations to learn another language. People try summer camps, intensive language courses, international datings, reading "How to speak .... in 5 minutes" guide books, listening to audios and even getting married :), but in the end it's all about how much you want & need it. Experiences show that anyone could handle to survive with a very basic English in most parts of the world, so why should you try to learn any other language to bother yourself :) ?

Not so true ! These globalism, internationalization, 'no borders' campaigns are all nonsense as nation-based language differences will continue. So as a very simple first rule, if you decide to live in a foreign country, you should get the language in order to ease your survival. Once, I found out a group called "Kein Deutsch in Deutschland - No German in Germany" which was composed of some American & British expats living in Germany. Well, this is bullshit, there is no intelligent anarchic sense behind it.

But, wait, let's turn back to this motivation topic. I recently found out that my motivation stands on the reality that the coming of translation-chips is so soon. Google Translate or realtime web conferences are just simple examples of where we are heading to. Sooner or later, it will be possible for a Chinese guy speaking with a Norwegian girl, without any need of speaking the common language. So, yes, this is my motivation. When that day comes, I will come up with this blog post as a "You see, I told you" argument. But, until then, I must focus a bit more on learning this damn hard Romanian :)

Enjoy your French ....

La Multi Ani, Romania

2010-11-30T22:21:00.000+02:00

Every land has its own 'union, independence, big national, re-union, etc..' day and citizens of this land celebrate these days with a big honour. Apart from all these military shows, street demonstrations, protocols, big crowds, flags covering everywhere, the historical background of these days and reflection to today seem more interesting to me.

Currently my land, Romania, has its 92. Unification Day tomorrow. This day has also an interesting history comparing with the current situation today. Think about end of WW1, Ottomans have lost the big authority (1878), Austria-Hungarian Empire lost in the war and this land's people are hungry for a century-long dream, one nation. So what happens is, actually, citizens from Translyvania, Banat and Hungarian Country agree to join Romania. Sources note this event as 'national unity was not achieved by any politician, government or party -- it was accomplished by the Romanian nation itself. Its source was the people's powerful longing for unity, which the political leadership managed with intelligence.'

Shortly, in populist terms, Translyvania becomes no longer Hungarian, but Romanian. After almost a century, there are almost 2 million Hungarians still living in that region, keeping their language, their universities, their political identity, etc. Even there are still 'autonomy' discussions, Romanian governments haven't tried any assimilation on the minorities which is really appreciable. I think, it's also to celebrate what happened after this unification day.

Naturally, the almost-century story of this day makes me think what else happened in other 'lands'. Because unfortunately not all these unification stories are no blood-no war stories. Will be discussing in other land stories...

Monkey Business

2010-11-27T21:26:00.000+02:00

I have liked visiting zoos since my childhood. Despite the bad conditions of most, these places are converging the urban life with the nature and wild life. Among all the zoos I have visited in different cities, Berlin Zoo was far ahead the best one with all special moments I have had there, as well.

Today's story is about Bucharest zoo, even November is absolutely not the best month for a visit as most of animals are resting and hiding warm inside. Plus, obviously, the zoo is not so well cared; you can notice that this place is not funded enough by the government as the condition of the cages, the must be natural environment for the animals, the food, etc..were not appropriate at all. As I saw in others also, the zoo is recognized as a place for school trips and families with little kids. But actually it's a good chance to understand that we as humanbeings are sharing the world with the others. On the other side, it's depressing to see these animals, most of them have to survive in really shity conditions.

Besides, all the animals, I have always kept most of my time in front of the monkeys' cages. Probably, because they are the only ones that are closer to humanbeings. I don't want to simplify Darwin's theory, but please check the video below and you must accept that you will find some things from you, your friends..:)

If you haven't been there yet, I can recommend a 2-3 hours of a spring/summer walk in Bucharest Zoo. For the ones who find me boring; you can pick up the option to go shopping in Baneasa Shopping City, 5km.s ahead :) Enjoy ! [Title Source : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8_rq7bhbkQ ]

Enjoy the Anatolian Open Shopping Town

2010-11-19T00:01:00.000+02:00

There's a little town 90 km.s to Ankara which amazed me with its commerce intelligence. I am talking about Beypazarı. So far, I had known their mineral water only, but this little town is much more than this, as what I saw today.

This little town of 30.000 inhabitants lays down on a valley where you can reach easily from Ankara in 1-1,5 hours. When you arrive in the center, you see a big open bazaar where ten thousands of people from other cities are shopping like crazy. Plus, today was an official holiday, so the crowd was much more than normal. Well, the town is also famous for its 'different' architecture and some tastes like tarhana, yaprak dolma, baklava (80 layers), carrot juice&delight, etc..

But what really attracted me was the commerce skills of these Beypazarı citizens. They are so natural, so welcoming..All male & female, young & old, kids & adults, everyone welcomes you to their 'open' shop. What they offer is so tasteful and natural, besides they are smiling and welcoming and inviting...They have used all the possibilities to turn into business. They don't have a very famous town, location, financial sources, etc, but they are attracting thousands of 'big city' citizens to come to their little town for shopping. They are still keeping mid-Anatolian traditions and creating a value added town with these traditions.

If you have a day off and if you are somewhere close to Beypazarı, just go and see what I mean. Actually this effort and success can be thought in universities as a commerce best practice. Considering the conditions of the town, they made a big thing. Congratulations.

cover photo : an old traditional Beypazarı female clothing

Highway or Stairway - Pick up one for the final destination

2010-11-18T00:40:00.000+02:00

Do not take it as a holy post but it is about cemeteries and I guess (anyone believe in reincarnation ? ) these are the places which we will visit at least once in our lives. After all these exciting trips, a last destination. And, we, trippies, sometimes wonder how it is there. Sometimes for the respect, sometimes to clear our souls, sometimes for pray and sometimes to check out how we will also look like.

Abroad, I have been twice to a cemetery as far as I remember. First was in Paris, Père Lachaise Cemetery. Funny part is, it was my first place that I visited in Paris, yes, a good start :) This cemetery is a kind of celebrity cemetery which welcomes(!) millions of fans every year. I had shortly prayed for Ahmet Kaya, Jim Morrison and Yılmaz Güney. Second was in Kreuzberg, Berlin where we had a long walk through all graveyards. With the beauty of the weather, the scene and all our conversations, it was a special cemetery visit..

How I remembered these visits was my cemetery visit today, for my cousin who died at her 19. When I just stood up in front of her graveyard, at one moment, I really didn't hear anything outside. Praying for her, arranging the graveyard itself, watering the flowers on it...As the alive one, you try to do something to respect the dead one. And then you see hundreds of alives, doing the same things for 'their' deads. But on the other hand, we are all trying to figure out how our last destinations would be, as well.

Well, my cousin visited the last destination much more earlier than others, died at the age of 19 because of gas leak with 6 other university colleagues . At the same moment, the morning that she was found dead, I was flying to another destination, Munich.

Sad but true.

Visa Sucks ! - Episode 2

2010-11-16T21:46:00.000+02:00

In my previous post here, I tried to explain how bureocratic and annoying it can be to apply for a visa. And now I want to talk about what I have experienced on the border. Now let's try to answer together, once all these questions have been asked to me ! :)

Amsterdam, Netherlands

- How much money do you have ?
- Are you thinking to marry someone here ?
- Do you find yourself racist ?
- Are you thinking to find a job here ?
- Are you muslim ?

Budapest, Hungary

- Why did you come here on February ?
- Do you support Ottomans ? (they were playing in Serie A ??)
- Do you like Hungarian girls ?

Prague, Czech Republic

- If you extend your visa period, you will not be able to enter any Eu countries, ok ?
- Are you a tourist ?
- Will you visit the churches ?
- Are you circumcised ?

Wroclaw, Poland

- Why did you come by bus from Prague ?
- Why do you travel at night ?

Munich, Germany

- Why did you come to work here ?
- How come Nokia Siemens accepted you ?
- Do you have any relatives here in Germany ?
- Are you single ?

Bucharest, Romania

- Do you have more than 10.000 eur with you ?
- Why your picture on your pass doesn't look like you ?

These are the questions that I can remember now and I don't know what you really think, maybe for some of you these questions can sound normal. But believe me, when you feel that is a neverending story, you start to get bored, pissed off, angry and so on..And when all the people from the same plane pass one by one while you are answering all these stupid questions, that's the time you get the disparity punch on your face.

Visa Sucks ! - Episode 1

2010-10-31T21:49:00.000+02:00

I am not sure how much the other nationalities are aware of this topic, but there are billions of people in the world who need to go through a tough visa application process. And, well, my regionally-unidentified country Turkey has these unlucky citizens too.

Let me tell you what is the reality and I recognized our funny situation after I realized that this 'visa application process' is not really an issue. Usually conversations started between two turkish guys :

- "Did you get the visa to bla bla country ?"
- "They want bla bla papers too, and you ?
- "They gave 1 week visa instead of 6 months."

And my lovely friend from the mentioned country jumps :

- "Ah, do you really need to have a visa to come here ?"
- "Yes"
- "They never asked me in Turkey, but I am sorry to hear that"

Now, there are different kinds of funny(!) stories from my past 15 visa applications, changing from 3 days to 1 year long. And, yes, until 19, I could never been abroad and average age of not having an abroad experience is much more higher in Turkey because of several reasons like low incomes, travelling not being a priority, visa requirements, lack of low cost flights, etc...

First of all, I must say that I have no problem with people coming to Turkey, that's perfect. Security check and that's it. Annoying part is the unfair agreements and political games between countries. I don't get it how travelling policies can be managed in such an unfair way. You are welcome in our country, but we are so loser that our citizens must collect tens of papers, come for your approval and wait for their destiny if they will be accepted or rejected.

You have to prove your financial situation so that they can see that you have enough money + assets to travel. You have to show that you will be coming back at a certain date, proved by plane/bus/train tickets. You have to convince them about the purpose of your travel. And many others, educational info, your family's demographics, your marital status, etc. etc...

And much funnier part is, they do not need to tell you the reason of rejection, if you are rejected. You get your pass, check the rejection stamp and go back home. That's it ! And according to union bla bla security issues, your rejection would effect your next applications which means you are disputable.

All these repeating headlines on the news like "This year, Germany will start to accept turkish citizens with these conditions ...." or "No more visa for one more who-knows-where country" make the situation even more annoying.

Well, what can I say, we shouldn't be that poshy to have a travelling interest, maybe that's too much for a third world country citizen.

dirty junky and turkish

2010-10-16T18:28:00.000+03:00

As far as I have seen and experienced, travellers usually do not have much idea what to eat in the countries that they visit. Despite all resistance, global brands like Burger King, KFC, etc. are visited in case of finding nothing local at first. I wanted to make a short introduction for Turkey visitors what they can find as a first try of local 'junk' food. I have no idea if you would like it or not, but everytime I visit home, I start with this dirty junk food package and love it !

So, let's say, you just landed in Istanbul and hanging around with your map on the street. When you feel hungry and want to try something 'turkish', here is the start package. If you can survive after that you can jump to more advanced food packages :)

çiğköfte : it's a raw meat dish - uncooked köfte (also can be made without meat because of health safety restrictions) that is a typical appetizer, orginally coming from the city 'Urfa'. Quite spicy and eaten with lemon and lettuce. You can find it in many 'kebap' restaurants and also you can find many çiğköfte shops itself. [photo source : wikipedia]

midye : mussles. nothing so traditional, but just the way they do it in turkey differ from other countries. filled with rice and spices, better eaten with lemon. You can find many 'midye' sellers out there, but try to find the ones with a little queue in front of it. And there's a unnecessary detail, mussles are one of the few creatures that have periods :)

kokoreç : this is one of the many other dishes that we have in common with greeks. I do not want to explain what is inside this, if you are really curious, go and search for it. that is another full spicy food, by the way. I highly recommend you to eat, you will not regret. There are many kokoreç sellers on the street, but try to find some branded shops, which will be much more secure :)

kumpir : a baked potato with various of fillings inside, olives, salami, cheese, corn, sausage slices, carrots, mushrooms, russian salad, pickles and spices with full of ketchup and mayonnaise. The town 'Ortakoy' is a recommended place to try this food and I assure you will be full after one dish.

balık ekmek : directly go to 'eminönü', down to the seaside and buy one from those fish boats. a cold beer can be complementary.

nohut pilav : do not go to any shops but try these badgers or truckers on the back streets. It's damn delicious, adding some chicken pieces is optional. usually great after a hangover :)

So, these are, as I told, just an appetizer, usually. If you want to go on with turkish food, you can check some more examples here; if you didn't like, you can continue to eat in those global brands. It's your choice.

Do Not Cross The Line !

2010-09-28T22:44:00.000+03:00

Well, usually this is what's identified with the police. Rules, safety, security, etc..And more usually, it's not like that, practically. Below photo is live from Bucharest.

And you see some cars stucked in traffic and trying to find their way on the tram line which is illegal, in most of the lines including this line. And our lovely Bucharest police cars are following the crowd on the tram line as well. That was funny until I saw this news today. Because it explains the total situation.

Recently, around 6.000 police officers protested the president of Romania because of salary cuts by 25%. And as a lovely answer, Romanian government gave up police protection for their illegal attitude. You can read the whole story here. And you can watch the protests here. This is something sad and 'rich getting richer, poor getting poorer' Romania is not inspring confidence on its society.

It's not a posh western european criticise, just this distrust in the society in where I currently live (as well as in my home country) disturbs me, that's it.

Carpathian Side of Romania : Transylvania

2010-09-26T00:03:00.000+03:00

It's been quite a long time without any kind of trip so was a good timing for a Bucharest-out time this week. Also to tell the truth I have been living in Romania for 10 months with only a limited Bucharest knowledge and it disturbs after all.

I won't fck your head telling all the trip info which you can easily google and read in many other blogs. I just want to share my observations about that part of Romania and how different from known Bucharest. As a preface, here is the google-mapped road that I followed:

Peleş Castle, as recognized one of the most seen historical buildings in Romania, stands on a magnificient mountain scenery. It's not an old one, built on 19th century for the big king, Carol I who was imported from Germany. Funny that Romanians couldn't handle to select a king from inside because of the chaos and non-trust and found an imported one. You must see this land, Sinaia, Prahova, for amazing landscape more than this castle. Just for a long walk, a delicious breakfast on the edge of the mountains really worth.

About Bran Castle (commercialized as Dracula's castle), all I can say is it's a big failure. First, after a tough road reaching Bran, you pay 20 Lei for entering a very ugly castle. Girly-furnished with Queen Mary's ownings, almost nothing related left from Vlad Tepes (ruler of the area) and simply commercialized as Dracula's land. If you have nothing to do in the country, consider as the last option to visit this castle.

Rest and most of our trip was full of Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu city walks. This area is known as the German-speaking part of Romania. These cities were full of ethnic Germans until 90s. And you can still see the effect on advertisements, sales people's approach, buildings and so on..Even Sibiu's current mayor is ethnic German. That was a nice practise for my limited German :)

What really amazed me, travelling between those cities, is the landscape for sure : So green and virgin. Another detail that took my attention was the villages built on two sides of the inter city roads. Of course not as standardized as German equivalents, but still the structure of all these villages were almost similar.

All these 3 cities are designed as one big square, the following main street, the surrounding old town and the expanding new town.

Shortly, it was an enjoyable transylvanian trip, worth to see places.And here are some little keynotes that I noted during these 4 days....

Yes, Europe, including Romania is getting older.

There's a big gap between the rich and poor in Romania as a result of the fall down of communism, corruption, bad management, etc. And there's also a big gap between the capital and other cities. Obviously, just observing the Transylvanian people on the street, you can see a more 'simple' daily life.

Sibiu deserves being the cultural capital of 2007. If you are interested in historical side of a city, skip Bucharest and come to Sibiu when you visit Romania.

A sales guy told those eyes of the buildings are dedicated to beautiful eyes of Romanian girls. Well, I know it's not the most talented country in sales.

I hope this turkish T.I.R arrived whereever he was heading to. He was following us all the way to Sibiu.

The founder of Dracula story has no idea about Bran Castle. And Bran Castle tourist hunters don't care about it, I guess :)

Das Kapital : Exists in Romania ?

2010-09-04T22:02:00.001+03:00

This is my first post expressing my ideas about shifting from economically and socially developed environment to a post-communist new born Kapital land. And spending here around 9 months is fair enough to comment about the main indicator of a capitalist system : quality of service.

Well, let me first describe what I understand from quality of service : Regardless of type of the service, price, location and customer type, serving part must provide minimum requirements of a service.These servers must be capable of the new rules of the market.

I ll give you some funny (actually sad) examples that I and people around me experienced in Romania. You can't kick out your customer if her/his wish is just to use wireless internet drinking something instead of eating full package food in your restaurant. Practically toilets in restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs is open to public, next time this free pee can return to you as a revenue. Waiters are responsible to understand the needs of the customers, you can't answer to a customer who needs some ice as 'It's already cold'. Same waiters should keep the eye contact with their customers so that they can response immediately if they have further orders. Tipping (in other words, bahsis) is quite usual in most of the markets, but you can't set up your standart serving upto the amount of the tip. You can have some 'extras' for your genereous customers, but you are paid to serve properly to all the customers in your place. Menus are intro guides to help your customers, but you must cover all wishes of your customers to satisfy them. You don't need to look dumbly on my face excusing for not being able to price the amount of my order (i.e. 1,5 dish or mix of two different dishes)

In our case, Romania has just 20 years in the new economy and it's obvious they have achieved remarkable success through these years. But, still, especially on service industry there are so many missing parts that still get on my nerves. As a restaurant you don't exist to feed people, you are there because of these people, which we call customers. As a hotel, you don't exist to harbour people, again you are there because of your customers.

As some people try to convince me that I should get used to this system is totally bullshit. We are not in 'Ford-T series' period where everyone had one and only choice. And for Romania, I am hopeful that this mindset is changing and will change sharply. It is not that hard to understand the value of your customers and play with the new rules. I don't know how long I will be staying here, but I d like to follow up with new posts and with new observations. Not to see anymore 'simply surprising' s...

faq turkey

2010-08-14T02:24:00.000+03:00

Over 5 years, I have been to several international organizations, attended several meetings and met thousands of people all around the world. So much fun, great friendships, discovering new worlds, so and so. Let's pass the story part.

I realized that, after all those years, I am more and more selective in attending those meetings and one strong reason for that is all the bullshit stereotypes and aimless, meaningless intercultural conversations. On this post, I will try to explain what I mean with all the questions which have been asked to me through the ages :) Just to let your brains out from your commercial TV programmes and common public insights.

faq turkey (frequently asked questions about turkey)

Onur, do you ride camels in Turkey ?

I would really love it, would be so much fun. But after our lovely brother USA funded us after 80s for highway constructions, we had to sell all of these lovely animals to JTI for advertising

.Are you Turkish ? - Yes - So you do not eat pork

I admire your knowledge of religions stucked on a piece of meat, but well we mostly don't eat, not necessarily of religious reasons only, but also why to eat whilst we have such delicious kinds of meat. But, well, schweinshaxe is quite delicious, I agree.

Ah, so you like Tarkan ?

Sure, even we weren't able to see communism in Turkey, during past 20 years all the turkish guys have been obliged to listen to only tarkan songs.

But how do you know skiing ?

Actually Turkey has some other cities and towns than Istanbul, Bodrum, Kuşadası and Antalya where you can find mountains, forests, etc...

You can not kiss your girlfriend before marriage, right ?

No, even you are not allowed to do it until your marriage is mature enough, between 5-10 years.

How come this Turkish girl is not with a scarf ?

Maybe she also wanted to be as OPENminded as you...

How did you learn English ?

By watching old Mr. Bean series...

You know also Arabic, right ?

Yes, as the languages are built on religions and I am also able to speak Malaysian, Persian and Bosnian.

Turkey - ah kebab ?

5 times a day we eat, starting early in the morning

Why is Turkish army still in Cyprus ?

We didn't have enough place for mandatory military service in Turkey, this is why.

You killed 1 million Armenians !

This is an ongoing discussion and I personally can't comment as I don't have enough knowledge about it but you, who was the next author that you read after Orhan Pamuk ? That's where you know all about the topic, right ?

How come you have green eyes ?

I was found in front of Basilica in Budapest when I was brought to Turkey, maybe this is why. Otherwise all Turkish guys are dark, black haired with a moustache and big belly, of course.

Do you think Turkey will be in EU ?

I hope not, seriously.

The list can continue forever, please you can still keep on asking some new brilliant questions in the comment part. I kinda lost my appetite trying to tell the facts about Turkey, but still I will enlighten you about my lovely lonely country as I did above. Or instead you can read a bit, have a visit sometimes, try to meet and talk to some natives, and try to discover yourself...I know it needs also a bit effort. Just, for God's sake, stop asking those silly questions.

dream on while you are on a highway to hell

2010-06-20T02:14:00.001+03:00

Bucharest has welcomed two oldies recently and it was a good chance to see these guys before they are on the highway to hell. I am talking about AC/DC and Aerosmith. Good music, beer, thousands of people, great show.. I am grateful to these guys that they took me again back to our university times when I could have no idea if I could see them live one day. So nothing to tell much about, just I wanna share some not best quality pictures. (You can find some videos under my account / ozdemiron) And now I know who will be the 5th one after Deep Purple, Eric Clapton, ACDC and Aerosmith.

stage design on 16 May 2010,

angus young on the stage,

thunderstruck here

aerosmith on the stage after reamonn,

steven tyler billboard view,

joe perry billboard view,

walk this way here

Is This What "City Network" Means ?

2010-06-07T22:22:00.000+03:00

From the first moment I have been surviving in Romania, this has been the topic that I d like to write about : cables covering all Bucharest. Not as a fancy moody tourist, but as an official citizen of Bucharest, I find all these 'hanging out' cables quite disturbing. And I think I am not so alone about this thought. So what's the problem ? If you ever find a chance to walk on Bucharest streets, you will feel like you are surrounded by kilometers of cables all around.

Then, you will say "Ok, fck off the sky, I will enjoy the beautiful ground". No way ! What you will find out is the initiative to bury the cables underground was somehow interrupted and all the overhanging cables will welcome you over there.

I can understand that some of the infrastructure is built to operate the public transportation, but this is not really what we call as 'city network'. You can not screw the city with unknown cables everywhere. I also wonder what happens if they have to fix something connected to these cables.

The most worrying part of this cable network is the ones which got free. The picture below is taken on one of the main streets and I totally worry what if a stupid kid touches this open part.

I wonder if the mayor of the city has ever had a plan to do something creating different kind of city network.

A Fresh Start

2010-05-30T17:46:00.000+03:00

Nice to be back after 6 months of break. During this time, I have had some further plans about a new blog, tripolitik (later on switched to tripolitic :) with some friends together. But as I was quite slow launching it, some others didn't wait that much and hacked the domain. To tell the truth, it was a problematic process that I didn't want to prolong. Anyways this blog project is over and topic closed. This is the reason I am back to my own blog and now after 6 months of Romanian residence and some travels between, there's much to write about.

Besides, I am thinking to change the structure and concept of this blog too as planned for the previous blog project - more main categories oriented than sightseeing oriented. (socio-economics, politics, cultural, ecological, etc.) Let's see together...

Welcome back !

This is the End !

2009-12-31T16:12:00.005+02:00

Hope 2009 was a year that you could realize yourself, try to do what you loved to do and have orgasmic excitements and hope 2010 will be more than that.

I will be welcoming the new year in the old Paris of the east, chaotic Balkanic, a colorful gray city, Bucharest.

And I d like to inform you, starting from July 2007, I am so happy to share my trip experiences with myself and you, but it's my last post in this blog. From now, I will be writing in a new blog, tripolitik.com, with some other friends, sharing our travel experiences with social, political, environmental perspectives. It will be also a step forward to new travel observations, ideas, views, etc.

Any of you, who has been following this blog, I hope you enjoyed it all, and that you will enjoy the new one, tripolitik, even more.

Till then, have a wonderful new year evening and keep your passion...

Bucharest for Beginners

2009-12-25T13:03:00.005+02:00

It's been only 1 month that I have moved to Bucharest, Romania as an expat. Of course, it's quite early to make comments about the city, places, people, etc. but still I d like to express my initial observations. When I first arrived in mid November, Romania was preparing for a cold winter and the president elections. To warn you, this country can be bloody cold, even colder than my previous country, Germany. Maybe this is why people try the Russian like winter styles. Btw, Basescu won the elections, no comment, just any Romanian that I talked tell me that politics here sucks, lots of corruption.

When you start to hang around the city, the dominant colour is gray, understandable. It has been only 20 years that Romania has left Nicolae Çeauşescu times. So, anyone can see the country is still in progress to the capital world. When I finally moved to a flat, naturally, an old communist bloc flat, I had some surprises. Let me count them. The entrances, elevators of the flats are all from these times. My bloc flat is divided into two parts where hundreds of people live together. The elevators are scary at first time, but then you get used to it, also that they stop randomly. Do not worry, press your floor button again, and it will go up :)

One funny thing is all the doors have handles also outside which totally doesnt sound secure. If you do not lock your door, anyone can come in :)

Again, a habit from old times, I noticed that my old neighbours peek from the door hole when they hear any noise. Advantage is, that keeps the thieves away from the flats, disadvantage is whoever comes to your apartment, you have to be aware that you are watched.

When you are walking on the streets of Bucharest, you feel safe. Totally safe, even some paranoid Western guys tell the opposite. You can see flower shops in each corner, mostly ran by the gypsy community. Ah, and about gypsy topic, fuck this stereotypes, Romania has also gypsies as most of the countries have. That's all ! Btw, funny to see, everywhere is full of cables, it's shocking at first :)

Plus, when I arrived here I wasn't expecting but here almost all the people can speak English, more or less. So almost no problem with the language for expats. People are friendly, really and sincerely friendly, which you can't see much in Western Europe. The friendship style quite fits with the Turkish style, so was easy for me to adapt, I guess.

On the other side, I think it's not a shopping city at all if you are a shopping freak. There are some big (!) shopping malls and that's all actually. No supermarkets in every corner, I have to walk for 10 mins to make my weekly shopping - food, drinks, etc..The underground transportation is well designed although it doesnt reach anywhere you want, unlike Munich for example. If you are a man walking alone on the streets, you will find some jerks offering you either a stolen mobile or a madam or asking for a cigarette. Nevermind them.

The average revenue per person is low here, comparing with other Eu countries. This causes also a big gap between the poor and rich. There are billionaires all around but at the same time lots of beggars, homeless and unemployed. The quality of service in restaurants, pubs, cafes, etc. has been the most annoying issue for me till now. It's so so slow and these guys do not much understand what customer satisfaction is. But, there are increasing number of places which got the point and providing a great service. So seems like they need some time to adapt to the capitalist rules of the world, unfortunately.

My first feeling here is, I cannot live here forever, but I am sure I will feel comfortable with all these friendly, sincere, relaxed people. It is, for sure, worth to try to start living in Bucharest.

In my next post, I will be sharing my Christmas and New Year experiences in Bucharest. Till then, happy Christmas (I have been sang 20 carols per day during Xmas time, as it's my first real Christmas experience in a Christian country.) and the best for new year...

2009 passed through Munich

2009-12-08T20:30:00.012+02:00

I think time has come to write some things about my 2009 city, München, after spending full 10 months with many memories. It was a strange year, deciding to move from my home country to live and work somewhere else and the choice was Bavarian Munich. After spending almost a year and posting about after a while would be a bit emotional and well it is.My life in Munich apparently has certain effects on me. A remarkable change in my life. With all wonderful moments, great friendships, lovely days, beautiful Munich offerings, I must confess that it has never been my city or the place where I want to spend rest of my life. Sorry for that, maybe a perfect city for others, but not for me.

For the ones who wanna give a visit to München, I will have some little tips, a mix of 10 months experience. Do not go there on the 1st of January, most probably you are fully drunk after a long new year party and can have the first shock feeling the freezing weather. Do not mind the jerks calling Dülferstrasse (or nearby Hasenbergl) as the ghetto area of Munich, cause there is no ghetto in Munich.

It is a city of wealth and comfort and luxury considering the life standarts. Ok, when you are out of Dülferstrasse UBahn (U2), get out of the exit and turn your asses to McDonalds over there and walk 100 m.s ahead (I loved this description, always:) On the right side, you will see my best ever pub in Munich, Black & White. Great meetings, friendships, cheap beer & tequila, hugs, leather black couches, friendly atmosphere, everything you d wish for. First thing I will never forget about Munich is my lovely B&W.

Second, BEER.

The most important thing God blessed Munich for. Beer everywhere, best beer ever, billions of different beer, swimming in beer, drinking with all your body, feeling the cold, bitter; feeling the StarkBier, feeling the BierGarten beer, feeling the Helles, Augustiner...Munich is the land of beer. Totally ! After a while, it's so usual that you end your evening with bottles of beer in your beer belly. Met some guys over there who do not like drinking beer, please leave the city, immediately.

Third, I wrote 5 different live stream posts about, but still want to mention about it. Oktoberfest. A 6 million drunken beer festival, nothing the most interesting and most surprising, but for sure worth to visit at least one whole day. Be there and get drunk. For more info, read this, that, das, der or die.

If you already have spent some time in the city, you can start to think that not the most coolest and flexible people live around. But, as everywhere, and as I have met, you will find amazing friends over there, still most of them, internationals :) But do not give up, there are also many cool Bavarian flavoured Germans surviving somewhere in the corner. Go and find them.

Take the UBahn again, watch some non-smiling faces, all around dogs, reading 5.000 pages books citizens, hear the same door closing quote 'Bitte zurück bleiben'. Have a tour in the city, not much to offer, some Marienplatz and around, my Turkish neighborhood and lovely Kebab environment Hauptbahnhof, OlympiaPark, some lakes, green and greener parks, Isar River, Englischer Garten, and that's all, believe me. A so much beautiful city, but I do not think so touristic.

Meet people who are so unaware of German politics, Berlin Wall, East & West, etc..Read the Bayerische Partei propoganda who wants to homogenize Bavaria and even seperate from Germany :) Funny guys. Watch at least one football match in Alianz Arena.

Do not worry, almost everyone speaks English so well. Even when you ask them whether they speak or not, dunno maybe because of modesty, they tell you 'a little' where they speak fluent English :)

There are some guys who have stereotypes, never mind them. As a native Turk, I had some little arguments & problems, or my black, Arabian, Eastern, Far Eastern friends, etc.. It happens anywhere in the world depending on your country's political and international position in traditional media. People are not so into reading, searching, travelling and learning first and then discussing. One more thing, you can see the police 'Polizei' almost in every corner. I am still thinking the government have so high idle costs about these uniformed guys.

About Nazi topic, you can be interested, but please be aware of the fact that these guys are knowledged and taught at least as much as you have been. With the smart guys, do not hesitate to discuss the topic. And know that most of them do not like Rammstein and do not know Accept, Motorhead or Scorpions.

Enjoy the lakes, green, clean environment, try some sports, ride a bike home, work, etc..These are the things which you can do in so few cities and Munich is obviously one of them.

Dear München, although I could not feel myself belonging to you, you have had a nice impact in my life. You are a lovely and so organized city, just not my type. And dear München friends, I will try to catch all of you somewhere around, for sure. You made my Munich days !

Augsburg : Full of Memories Under the Arms of München

2009-11-28T20:03:00.005+02:00

Save it somewhere that I am the first Turk tourist who has travelled to Augsburg the most, because of a very special beautiful reason. But I must admit, the city doesn't have any attractions that one spring day is enough for a tourist. What remained in my mind are the city hall & Perlachtower, the punk gang in Königsplatz, the McDonalds crowd, the strawberry field nearby, a small lake which I have never swum, a nice Irish pub to enjoy the night, the only acknowledged pubclub Lamm, a long nightwalk through the city and so on. The rest all is my loeckli reminding me of Augsburg.

The city will keep its place in my mind & heart but apart from that all the attractions are even under the holy authority of big brother Munich. So if you are hanging around in Bavaria region, I will recommend you to see Munich rather than Augsburg in the following post.

Last but not least, I am so thankful to all Augsburg friends who made my Augsburg times more enjoyable and cheerful.

tripolitik.com

2009-10-27T15:57:00.004+02:00

I have been writing in this blog more than 2 years now. I have enjoyed writing, commenting, sharing about all these 87 posts in this blog so far. Throughout this time, this blog also helped me realize what I really enjoy in my trips.

Now let´s talk about the change. This week is my last week in Munich where I have lived for 10 months. And during this stay, I had several trips to Augsburg and Berlin. So in this blog, I want to speak about these 3 remarkable cities in my life and then switch to another domain, another type of travelling blog.

From December, I will have a new blog project under tripolitik.com, telling about political sides of places & cities, social events, eco topics, important days in the cities, etc. that I will have been visiting. Shortly, a socio-eco political travelling blog - will be a niche travelling blog. And hopefully there will be some other guest bloggers who are helping me build up this blog project.

All details will be in TRIPOLITIK on December 09. And enjoy the last 3 cities in this blog, Munich, Augsburg and Berlin...

Change Your Mind about Climate Change

2009-10-15T22:35:00.005+03:00

Damn I have prepared the draft days before, nevermore I am able to post it now. Anyways, today is the famous Blog Action Day (BAD) for 2009 and this year's topic is climate change. Before continuing on this post, you can check the official website of BAD here, check their blog her e, follow them on Twitter here and if you already have a blog you can register it here.

In this post, I want to show you some videos from different countries, all about trials, good/bad examples, consciousness of citizens and so on about climate change. Although US president Barack Obama has said that he wants to restore America's responsible leadership about climate change in the world, we all know that it's not concerning only US, but all of the countries. Of course, it's obvious that all countries' involvement in the topic differ. But still, as a human being, all of us responsible for this action. So let's see what's going on around the world :

1. Bangladesh's statement about 2009 Climate Change Summit :

2. Colombia's statement about 2009 Climate Change Summit :

3. A song of Climate Change Campaign 2007 organized by Finland :

4. A short video of Climate Change Campaign from Ireland :

5. An American scientist talking about Kyoto Protocol :

6. An interview video from UK with the Climate Change protestors :

7. Climate Change in Google Earth :

8. Greenpeace video from Turkey :

So, shortly, in my opinion, regardless of a certain country, every single person has to be aware of this topic and the possible threats in the future. There mustn't be any political benefits, economical profits or any other imperialist ideas behind it. By us - not only by US, for us - not only for US...

German-Turk Fact under the Rhine river in Ludwigshafen

2009-10-13T14:54:00.005+03:00

Full name, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, is a small German city on the river Rhine. It's so close to Mannheim, just cross the little bridge, and you are there. Actually there's nothing interesting to talk about and the city is same as all other small German cities, a church, some well designed urban city planning around it, green areas after 10 minutes outside. Go to any of those thousands of little German cities, all same like a mass production. My topic is more about the Turkish-German community living there. Ludwigshafen and Mannheim together are holding a big amount of those immigrants. You can see the effects in social life, design of places, accent you hear walking...After reading and watching a couple of documentaries about the immigration of Turks, I had also an opportunity to observe in my 10 months of Germany experience. So here comes my comments about 3,5 million reality in Germany :

The number of immigrants in Germany is reaching to 12 mil, 15% of the whole population. The biggest ethnic group is the Turks.
If you are a bit aware of how this immigration started, go to the 60s, and watch the Great German Industrial Revolution and German constitution giving a right to political asylum.
Be aware of how Germans welcomed all those Eastern country working class heroes, how these heroes helped to raise the German economy, how Germany named them as 'GastArbeiter - Guest Worker' and how they hadn't had any structured plans about these workers those days.
Shortly the truth in Turkish side was, all these workers couldn't find any jobs in Turkey because of Turkey's economical situation in 60's (military coups) and they were mostly from Mid and East parts of Turkey, more traditional, more conservative..[We are talking about 60s] And they are welcomed to Germany to work in non-qualified jobs.
Throughout 40 years, Turkey has also improved socially, politically and economically as well as other eastern countries. Germany, as one of the biggest economic powers in the world right now, completed the industrial and social revolution with a surprising great success.
The problem arised at this point. All these people, who are splitted off Turkey, could not get along with a new culture, religion, language, etc. Their traditions, cultures, habits also changed away from Turkish people in Turkey. Plus, German government hasn't expected these 1st & 2nd generation Turks to stay in Germany. But they did with an increasing population. [high birth rate, relative emigration, marriages, etc..]
The main point which Germans call as a problem is related to what happened in the past. Now, Turkish immigrants are not well integrated into the German culture. But also, German society, mostly, didn't give much effort on this.
There are many reasons behind this. Usually, you can see very populated and emotional reactions inside the Turkish-German community about the topic. Language problems, uneducated society, German homogenization urge [see the East-West German, Bavarian seperation, increasing Nazi fans topics in official reports], Turkish-German's stuck culture and tradition between Turkish & German culture, etc..
Though every German-Turk that I talked names Germany as their home country. They trust the system, health, insurance, security, economical issues in Germany. At the same time, all of them have an aspiration about Turkey but still they all see Turkey as their holiday stations.

All these are kind of a summary of my observations and conversations about the Turkish immigration in Germany. Despite some conflicts and differences, I have a big hope of fair integration with the 3rd and so on generation. If both sides, sincerely, try and work hard on it, it doesn't seem impossible.

Try this song, sang by a popular 60s guy, Cem Karaca who lived in Germany for 8 years between 79 and 87.

Photo ref : by Immanuel Giel, 2008

French Puppets in Berlin to Knock Down Communism

2009-10-05T23:28:00.009+03:00

Last Saturday, 3rd of October, was the 19th anniversary of German Union Day and 2009 is the 20th year of the fall down of Berlin Wall. One more reason that I am so connected to Berlin (among many reasons) is the historical and political memorials which you can not find in any other German cities. Take Munich, where I live right now...People have no idea why the wall was fallen down, what happened on these days, why it is so important for both Germany and rest of the world, how Easterns had difficulties on these days..Even many people here are still against the German reunification. It can sound so artificial and simple but the saying ' I rather prefer Turks than Eastern Germans to be my neighbor' can help to show that this reunification isn't welcomed all over the country. Anyways, on Saturday there was an official event organized by the Berlin municipality recalling this Union Day. What they did was to bring two giant puppets (30 m and 15 m) from France and let them walk through Brandenburger Tor and meet at the center of the gate, representing West and East coming together. You can read more here about the organization.

I have spent almost 5 hours standing there but it worthed. It was a fascinating show, an amazing piece of art, cheers of Berlin people and deep memories which we as newbies are not so able to go through.

So this is our big boy, the West :

And the meeting in front of Brandenburger Gate (Tor) - the big West and the lil East :

And all the show on the big screen to let thousands of people enjoy :

Here watch the great performance behind, carrying the puppets :

And here in this video watch the great meeting :

Oktoberfest 2009 Live Stream - Final

2009-09-29T17:44:00.002+03:00

From these kind of huge festivals, you can make stories anyday anyhow. Everyday it´s possible to meet a random drunk guy finding yourself talking about politics, religion, intercultures, bla bla. Or observing thousands of interesting people puking, shouting, touching, jumping, etc. Worst case, cheering with a bunch of horny guys, singing some "ha, hra, gra, " songs..

So for me probably :) Oktoberfest is over as I won´t be in the town for a time. I must admit that it´s a highly civilized festival with a wunderbar (wonderful) security. Since now I heart two deaths, one jumped in front of a train and other one jumped from his hotel room, a peaceful story it is. Second, I wish good luck to all the hardworking waitresses of Oktoberfest, they deserved a silent holiday. They can handle it, I guess, with all the big salary and tips they have had.

Thanks to all friends who helped me have a nice time. Good luck to people who are -even right now - swimming in the big maß. Good luck to the Italians (as this week is called italian weekend) to find some hot drndls. Appreciate the 80 year oldies experiencing this festival for many years and still drinking many liters.

One thing more is, do not expect that much from this festival. It does not change your life because you are coming from Australia or New Zealand, whatever. Or it´s not a fulfillment of a drinking contract. It´s not a high intellectual brilliant idea. Easy, wet and drunk. That´s all.

Oktoberfest 2009 Live Stream - 4

2009-09-25T12:42:00.007+03:00

Some more personal observations from Oktoberfest... There are some certain guys who are just seeking for some drunk girls, ok nothing special. Pass it :)

What´s more, I loved some old couples who can enjoy the fest much more than young buddies, never minding about anyone, so free.

In the amusement part of the Wies´n, you ll see hundreds of heads looking up to the adventure games/stages, Gameland, whatever you call it. Don´t mean the pic below, it was a funny kid show means it´s not only

Now I totally understand why these drndl-worn waitresses have to be that rude to the tenters, that in this drunk world there´s no other way. But I also predict that with all these tips from everyone they must be earning really good money.

Yesterday, one of the most fascinating moment was when the local band played "Smoke on the water" in a Bavarian way, watch the video below...

And the way back home, UBahn full of Bavarian soul...

Oktoberfest 2009 Live Stream - 3

2009-09-23T03:08:00.005+03:00

And here are some videos proving the 'Oktoberfest makes you fully drunk' reality :) Enjoy the videos if you are not still in one of those tents...

Oktoberfest 2009 Live Stream - 2

2009-09-22T01:59:00.000+03:00

Yeah, it s the 3rd day of Oktoberfest 2009, and finally we were inside the tents. It s sure that inside and outside the tents are so different. Depends on what kind of feeling you are looking for, for excitement and heartbeating go to the Spielpark outside, for beer, music and fun go into the tents.. One thing I noticed is that the waitresses who carry all these 9-10 glasses of beer are not that sweety as they look like in their dirndls. They can kick or shoulder you if you dont let them go through the crowd. But I think I can understand them, carrying all tons of beer all day and facing all these drunk guys must be a hard stuff. Take care & enjoy the 3rd day inside the tent pics...

Oktoberfest 2009 Livestream, Munich

2009-09-21T12:03:00.000+03:00

On Saturday, 19th September, Oktoberfest 09 started with a huge crowd in Wies´n. Both Saturday and Sunday I was there taking some beginning weekend shots. From now on, there will be a daily photo/video livestream here in this blog. Different beer tents, dirndl - lederhosen models, drunk people hanging around, Spielpark amusements, after Oktoberfest preferences and so on...

Keep your eyes on !

Bavarianize Me with Nature & Beer : Tegernsee

2009-09-13T22:16:00.000+03:00

A nice chill out Sunday in Bavarian Tegernsee lying under the Alps is over. Actually if you are living in Munich and looking for one day trips around, you have various kinds of nature, forests, lakes, mountains, etc. opportunities, concurrently this is the only option :) From my first day till now, I am amazed how Bavarians built up BierGarten s all over Bavaria, over the mountains, in the middle of lakes, inside the forests..The story for Istanbul that wherever you walk down, you will reach the seaside can be applied for Bavarians as bier gartens. About this topic, please read why the beer identified with Bavarians, the reason is Reinheitsgebot.

Tegernsee is a nice area for hikers, though if you are an ordinary beer drinking big belly guy, you can of course enjoy the beautiful scene inside the peaceful green. What you will find there is the nature. If you are not so in to, do not even try to go there, nothing more. Who else in Tegernsee except us were the rich oldies and some everywhere Chinese tourists. One more, if you need a silent, peaceful, sportful day in the virgin nature, Tegernsee is highly recommended. If you are located inside Bavaria, you can come together upto 5 people, take the Bayerische Ticket, or some special BOB tickets (24 euros, cheaper than Bayern ticket) and in 1 hour you are there. Enjoy !

176th Oktoberfest in Munich

2009-09-03T13:13:00.003+03:00

Time has almost come for the next Oktoberfest which will take part here in Munich between 19th September and 4th October 2009. Already you can find all the historical info in Wikipedia here and all tips and general info in Oktoberfest Official Website here. For me it will be the first time in Oktoberfest and actually am quite wondering about the biggest beer festival (more than 6 million visitors) in the world. Unlike the typical beering in Munich - beergarden, wurst, beer - this festival must be extending the limits of fun, beer, food, music, and so on...Plus, I recommend both myself and you to watch this Oktoberfest movie called Beerfest. Enjoy the trailer here.

Apart from the fun part, this event for sure, is a big industry itself. All the job opportunities during the festival (working hard, carrying tons of 1 liter glasses and earning quite good money), one of the most successful tourism advertisement of Munich and Germany (even the festival association wants Oktoberfest to be in Unesco´s World Heritage list, read it here) , millions of Euros for the German economy (not only beers and food, but all souvenirs, additional city tours, travel agencies, dirndl - lederhosen prices, etc..) and many other mostly economical and advertising benefits.

Hopefully, I will try to observe and experience 176th Oktoberfest as much as I can and you will find more related posts here with several videos and photos. Prost !

Img source : Oktoberfest Girls

Little Big City : Zurich

2009-08-24T17:25:00.013+03:00

This weekend, I was in Zurich for a 2,5 days short holiday. If you are going to Zurich from Germany, the easiest and cheapest way is to use mitfahrgelegenheit, for sure. (20 eur one way) My first feeling in the city was a bit strange remembering what I heart about Switzerland. The buildings, architecture, urban planning, all, didnt seem that luxurious and posh. But anyways, maybe a typical city stereotype....

First of all thanks my friend, Thore, hosting us (hopefully after Istanbul, Berlin, Zurich meetings, the 4th place will be Munich:) and Luise & David for guiding and spending 2 days with us. The tourist guides would lead everyone probly to the Alt Stadt (Old Town) where you will find all the touristic attractions of the city - nothing so special.

What mostly took my attention is the surprisingly comfortable life of citizens. No doubt that Zurich is selected as the city with best quality of life :) And also one of the most expensive cities in the world. No way for foreigners to work somewhere else and come to Zurich to spend money :) Better is vice versa. It´s also interesting to see that public transportation is provided only by trams & tram-buses. As all the city is surrounded by electric lines, no gas pollution from the public transportation. Good idea! Plus, it´s said that the municipality is keeping all the inner roads under construction making people use public transportation instead of their cars. No comments !

Some tips about Zurich according to my experiences :

Do not leave the city without swimming in the most beautiful river unless it´s winter time.
If you dont have any Franks left, you can be a "Schwarz Fahrer" (Fare Dodger) quite easily. Btw : If you still havent seen the Oscar winner short movie, Schwarzfahrer, see it here.
Listen to the Swiss accent, sometimes it sounds really funny.
Enjoy the ferry tour.
Do not miss Rotefabrik
If you are into Botanic and plants, etc, visit the Sukkulenten Sammlung Zürich under the "Grün Stadt Zürich - Green City Zurich" statement. So clean, so green, so green-blue city, shortly amazing.

See more of my Zurich photos here.

Some Places to Visit During "Ramadan" in Istanbul

2009-08-21T11:07:00.007+03:00

So, today is the first day of Ramadan in Turkey and for the travellers there are a bunch of interesting places and activities to experience. Maybe first of all, for the ones who have no idea what Ramadan is, I can explain it shortly. It´s one of the religious months of Islam where people keep on fasting whole month refraining from eating, drinking and sexual conduct. Apart from religious beliefs and worships, there are 3 points of Ramadan which I admire. First, fasting is meant to teach patience, modesty and spirituality. Second, practically, it´s a month where people are, for any reasons, more eager to help the poor, homeless and destitute. Third, you can find really interesting activities during the month. Now I wanna talk about this trippie part of Ramadan in Istanbul.

Istanbul is, as you might know, a multicultural cosmopolit combination of thousands of villages which makes this Ramadan time even more worthseeing in the city.

So first of all, the most popular and most visited place is Sultanahmet where already all the tourists coming to Istanbul visit for the sake of Topkapi Palace, HagiaSophia and Blue Mosque. In Sultanahmet square and around, you will see hundreds of little cottages composing the famous "Direklerarasi" festival area. It´s immensely full of people, mainly after "Iftar" time. (Where people stop fasting and start eating&drinking&.... ) Everywhere, smell of thousands of food mixed, desserts, drinks, play arenas, street sellers, baby cries, praying people, weighting up tourists, shouting cottage owners, music, Ilahi (religious melody) ...and so on...If you are in Istanbul on Ramadan time, at least one day, be there and experience yourself !

Second, go to Eyüp Sultan where you will find -comparingly- the most religious activities & people praying and enjoying Ramadan. Visit the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, also. You can extend your time of mosque visits further. There are several, meant to be important for Ramadan mosques all over Istanbul. And also many tombs(Türbe) of some holy people like Eyüp Sultan, Zeynep Kamil, Tuzcu Baba, Oruc Baba, Fatih Sultan Mehmet (conquerer of Konstantinopolis) and so on.. To tell the truth I havent seen any of those tombs but for western / different religion guyz, can be surprising, interesting, mind-bending ... :)

Third, if you are more into discovering the Ramadan life of more traditional districts, just before Iftar, go to Üsküdar or Sirinevler to taste and experience more about how people live Ramadan.

Enjoy it, no matter you keep fasting or not, no matter where you are from !

ps: Btw, I found this site through some searches, you can also enjoy it, to learn more about Middle East (!) countries - Turkey is also there, haha :) http://www.middleeastexplorer.com/

1st photo : Karagöz & Hacivat
2nd photo : Famous Ottoman Macun(Paste) - A special dessert
3rd photo : Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque together
4th photo : Direklerarasi Cottages in Sultanahmet

One of My Favourite Districts : Kreuzberg/Berlin

2009-08-19T20:52:00.008+03:00

Visiting Berlin several times, Kreuzberg has been always my most time-spending borough because of many reasons. My memories starting from Viktoria Park to very Turkish Kottbusser Tor leading us another Turk borough, Neukölln; from Friedrichstraße to my location Mehringdamm and many others are also so one of the main turning points in my life.

Since my first visit, Kreuzberg has always been the symbol, the feeling of punk, freedom, anarchy, multiculture, nihilism...It has got one of the most youngest population among all European districts, hosting the Carnival of Cultures, chaos in the streets unlike other German areas...

If you are on a trip to Berlin, just first see the offical homepage here, get some deeper info here, take a look at Kreuzberg photos here, enjoy a lovely blog post of a Kreuzberger here and finally watch this movie. Hopefully you are a bit more excited about Kreuzberg now.

What makes me always so excited about Kreuzberg is maybe the anarchy, commotion, underground street culture, 1st of May celebrations and many of mixed feelings I had so far.

Enjoy the exciting passionate X-Berg ! Do not forget to fill your stomach in Curry 36 across the Mehringdamm UBahn station...

Friendpost : Jimmy, A Real Traveller

2009-06-29T12:55:00.003+03:00

... and as we're crossing border after border, we realize that difference is none ...

People call “business” trips boring. But if you love the business you do, you will always look forward to attend them. So I went to Walberberg, near Köln in order to attend the annual technical meeting of Service Civil International (SCI), organized by the local SCI Germany office.

Wherever I go, I can’t forget visiting dear friends. They are the ones who will make my stay and trip pleasant.

Walberberg is a suburban settlement, not more than 15 km south of Köln. We were accommodated and Jugendakademie Walberberg. It is mostly settled by rich families I must admit, but I also have to admit that it’s a very calm place. The surrounding is just amazing with a lake nearby and the whole area covered in forests. Perfect for walks, orienteering and obviously for horse riding, since every third or fourth family has a horse.

Of course we visited Köln as a group, but I also stayed after the event for the Köln carnival. Köln is not really something I expected. My negative impression can probably be the result of the carnival and the fact that the city absolutely doesn’t look same without it. So I can’t really judge about it. People from all around the world gather there to attend the carnival. I must agree that the Dom looks amazing. I have never seen such a “dark” cathedral. Of course, everything was closed during the carnival and so was the Dom. The carnival obviously mean a lot to the locals, but also offers a couple of days to feel free and do things they can’t during year. This include drinking in public, vomiting all over the city, sleeping outside … Personally, as someone from the Balkans this doesn’t amuse me a lot. I can do this whenever I want back home :)

After this meeting I had another one waiting for me down in Rome. But I had a bit more than a week in between. So I used it the best I could. Onur was in München and I was really looking forward to see him again. On my way there I stopped in Stuttgart for an afternoon so I can get to München just in time when Onur finishes his job. Perfect timing!

I stayed in München 2 full days having two day trips to Dachau and Neushwanstein castle. Dachau was much more interesting. The input I got there, scenes I saw, stories I heard and objects that still remain there just made my strive towards peace more stronger. Never again!

Neuschwanstein is a castle I expected a lot from. But it didn’t take Peles castle in Sinaia, Romania off the throne. To little to see inside, but the surrounding countryside can offer a lot.

München is cool. I am a bit sad I couldn’t spend more time visiting the city itself and a lot of places that it is famous for. I went all the way up to the north to see Allianz arena, absolutely not because of Bayern FC, but because of the environmental friendly way that they used to build it. One of the main materials they used is – air! You should check it out.

München was just one of the cities I had to visit. Next stop was Vienna. Fellow volunteers from SCI Austria, Valerie and Jenny hosted me for a night. The schedule was a bit tight, so I really had to see all the best of Vienna in one day and catch a train to Venice the same night. Oh ye, Onur and his gf Anne joined m in Vienna as well. It was really great to spend a day all together visiting an unknown city and explore all the famous sites including the Parliament, Schonbrunn castle, Hundertwasser house, the Habsburgs’ summer residence and St. Jakob’s church with the pedestrian zone. They stayed one more night and day while I had to take a train to Venice. I was getting close to my destination – Rome.

The other meeting was actually a seminar. A friend of mine, Marta, from my organization Volunteers’ centre of Vojvodina, was waiting me in Venice. We both arrived the same morning.

Venice … nah … I don’t know what to say. If I say I’ve hated it, a lot of people will disagree. If I say I’ve loved it, I lie! Fortunately Venice was on my way so I visited it and now I don’t have to think if it is really so great as many people say. It’s not. Marta and me spent there a rainy day, visited all those fancy places and went to Santa Lucia train station 5 hours before the train. We were bored in the city!

Rome is something that surprised me. I didn’t think I would like it and I did! The seminar took place in La citta dell’Utopia, a project run by SCI Italy. It’s believed that Garibaldi spent a night in that house so it is under protection, remaining still on a small hill in the middle of residential area and it’s buildings. We stayed in Rome a week, having enough time to see all the sites. Vatican city is pretty great. Colosseso not really, Spanish stairs – just stairs … What I liked the most is the pedestrian zone. Tight streets in cobble stone, people sitting in front of their houses, probably gossiping about tourists. I would have liked to see more greenery but never mind :P

So I managed to combine beautiful and useful and to spend 3 awesome weeks abroad visiting friends, having great time with them, learning and discussing with my colleagues and friends in order to reach so much needed peace.

Enjoy Tuscany : Pisa & Florence, Italy

2009-06-15T13:23:00.017+03:00

2 full days in 2 Tuscan cities. Can sound like an industrialized fast-trip but was not at all. We found a good price (2 eu) to fly with Ryan Air from Memmingen, Germany to Pisa, Italy. The worst situation in these kind of flights is the fucked up flight timetables. But anyways, it always works to drink some tequila shots in Black & White (there will be a long post about this pub later), then miss the shuttle, decide to take the next train, forget the passports at home, go back and take them, wait in the airport for hours, forget the check in papers at home, pay extra money to Ryan Air, always let a deodorant, perfume or a cream at the security desk and so on....Many funny stuff but does not sound interesting here :)

So let´s continue with Pisa. When you arrive in the airport, be sure that you can walk anywhere inside the city. It takes about 15-20 min.s to get to the city center. It´s really a small city with a main street which leads you to the Pisa Leaning Tower, La Torre di Pisa.

Yeah we are tourists, ofc, we were there. Actually apart from enjoying the little streets, and the main street and the Pisa tower, Pisa doesn´t offer you more. Sorry to Pisa citizens, but it´s a good on-my-way station to Florence. And, well, still there are many people who are taking the same shots with Pisa Tower as here. Get more info about Pisa here, if you are interested. Plus, good to publish this guy below as he jumped on us not to take his illegal mobile shop :) Happy earnings man, no worries !

Nice to learn that it´s the city of Fibonacci, that I only remember him from Calculus 2 Math courses. From Pisa to Florence you can find a direct train 3 times in every hour. But there are no night trains between, so take care. It costs 5,6 euros per each person.

Florence welcomes you with its unique architecture. As almost everyone knows the art & renaissance of Florence, it´s not that hard to feel it when you are inside the city.

Il Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, is so so attracting with all the little details on the building but does not have the same effect inside it. The medieval walls surrounding the center of the city, the Giotto´s Campanile, Piazza del Signoria, the main central streets taking you directly to the river, and many of the other wonders as you see here, will make you feel the MidAge Athens.

Now, some special memories or personal advices about Florence. If one of you will stay in this hostel, Adre Florence, this hostel can surprise you as you won´t be able to find its place for 1 hour turning and turning around. But if you are lucky like us, they will be providing some rooms in their hotel, Hotel Veneto which is comparatively much better. So at least you can try if you don´t have a better option. But short of all, I never advice you to stay in a hostel, hotel, etc. Try staying in a local´s house, always works better !

Try great icecreams for sure, like 5 times a day, you won´t regret. One good place is Gelato Festival, a icecream shop quite in the center, on main street and which looks like a strip club from outside. Hehe, no, we already knew that it was a icecream shop not other kinds of creams :)

Take a long walk by the river. Walk till the end, try to explore back streets. Talk to people on your way. Take some photos of the houses on the bridge.

Kiss the biggest lips...

There was a after wedding meeting in front of the Duomo. Was funny but I still wonder if the bride was drunk or high :) Hehe, she looked like. Hope they had a satisfactory night afterwards. Happy anniversaries !!!

And my favourite guy in Florence ! Our Indian hero who offered us so delicious food and the cheap beer to go. I promised him to write about him and if you are in Florence with a group of people, you must for sure try his so delicious sandwiches. And unlike other sellers, he has fair prices. I will always appreciate his honesty, respect in his job and hospitality. The name of the market is "Market Wine Shop - Di tutto un fo" , the market is 10 years old now, open from 10 till midnight. The address is "Via del Palazzuolo n110 Firenze". You can see in the map here. Greets again !

So I , for sure, advice anyone to visit Florence (and Pisa - half of the day) as Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Amerigo Vespucci, Florence Nightingale and many others did so.

You can reach all the other pics that I took here.

Karneval der Kulturen 2009 / Berlin

2009-06-02T23:14:00.008+03:00

Better you first get informed about what this event is about and how it takes part, etc..Here you can find the official website of the event and here you can read some more German info. Berlin, for sure, is one of my favorite cities in whole Europe that makes me visit more and more each time.

In this carnival we had chance to see all the subcultures in the city through a street parade. Everywhere colorful, everywhere with cheerful people. Apart from this, there was a carnival arena for 3 days to entertain people with diversity of food, games, drinks and some ethnic cultural activities. Photos and videos will tell about more than words, I guess. Take yourself for the next one !

For more photos, click here.