tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post4694345157598990962..comments2023-10-31T17:07:34.630+08:00Comments on :::...Szerelem, Szerelem...:::: Turkçe ÖğreniyorumSzerelemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17911190230851186924noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-35136287057917652642007-03-13T05:58:00.000+08:002007-03-13T05:58:00.000+08:00Visited your blog after a long hiatus and am hopin...Visited your blog after a long hiatus and am hoping you're still on your South-East Asia darshan. If are passing through Singapore, I'm an email away - deepikashetty@hotmail.com<BR/><BR/>Would love to catch up.Read@Peacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13334742756571440932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-72444087959818584972007-02-22T19:14:00.000+08:002007-02-22T19:14:00.000+08:00Sorry... I meant "It would be nice..."AliSorry... I meant "It would be nice..."<BR/>AliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-24632337703120495572007-02-22T19:12:00.000+08:002007-02-22T19:12:00.000+08:00Hi,If you come to Vietnam in March or April, I wou...Hi,<BR/>If you come to Vietnam in March or April, I would be nice to meet and have coffee in Saigon. I am thirsty of people who like to read literature and enjoy reading Pamuk, Shafak, Calvino, Kafka, Borges, Murakami, Kadare etc...<BR/>Hope to meet and talk about books...<BR/>A Book Lover in Vietnam...<BR/>http://rizaarican.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-2169213846584053222007-02-10T15:44:00.000+08:002007-02-10T15:44:00.000+08:00Karan: Ah, but weren't you the one who said I woul...Karan: Ah, but weren't you the one who said I would qualify as a rapidly mad Ralph Fiennes fan? Hardcore obsession I have :D<BR/><BR/>Nitin: Thank you muchly. The Google reader is good. But now another email type account to check.Szerelemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911190230851186924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-70835468705108963252007-02-10T12:10:00.000+08:002007-02-10T12:10:00.000+08:00Thank you very much. Alls well now. Well at least ...Thank you very much. Alls well now.<BR/> <BR/>Well at least your question isn't so very web 1.0 like some other people. *laughs at own geek-joke*<BR/>Anyway. xml is the best thing in the world since sliced bread. No really.<BR/>You no longer need to keep checking blogs and other webpages (who provide xml) but all updates come to you in one "inbox for the web". Sigh, I'm such a sucker for wasting time efficiently.<BR/>But feeds can only be read using a feed-reader. I highly recommend google-reader. It's both intuitive and efficient. Since you already have a gmail account all the better.<BR/>Don't live to geek, geek to live. (lifehacker's tagline).niTinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07859833899214904280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-57307495799984158832007-02-10T00:43:00.000+08:002007-02-10T00:43:00.000+08:00First of all, thank you for the kind words on my b...First of all, thank you for the kind words on my blog. I'll do my best to write more often...well, more than once a year, anyway. <BR/><BR/>And boy, you weren't kidding when you told me about your obsessions with Turkey and Jeremy Irons, were you? Hahaha, wish I can make it to Turkey sometime soon too, the photos whetted my appetite.Karanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08868658161757001513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-86928913505146432452007-02-09T16:40:00.000+08:002007-02-09T16:40:00.000+08:00Arun: Well I frankly greatly admire Ataturk. He wa...Arun: Well I frankly greatly admire Ataturk. He was a great military leader and you are right he was really far sighted. Because of his westernisation drive Turkey has always been very 'western' since the formation of the republic. But I think it's also important to remember that even though the Ottoman Empire was a Muslim empire, it was also a very, very culturally diverse empire. And it was extremely tolerant of other religions, way before the western european countries knew was tolerance was. Ataturks secularism was (and is) based on the French style and yes, it played a very important role in Turkey becoming a secular Muslim country, but it has raised a whole host of problems as well. Not to mention the loss of their islamic cultural heritage. <BR/>Apparently, Midnight Express has a really bad reputation in Turkey. They allowed it to be shot at Topkapi Palace and when the movie came out felt pretty betrayed. I wonder why :P<BR/><BR/>TPF: About lokum - I don't like the lemon flavour. But I really like rose. Which is strange, because I usually hate rose flavoured stuff.<BR/>I totally agree with you on the westernisation issue....like what I wrote above a lot has been lost because of it. I won't comment on the script because I think that was a good move (well, I might be biased because I'm just happy the language uses a script I can comprehend) . From what I read the introduction of the latin script made Turkish more intelligible and increased the literacy rate to some 90% plus. The Ataturk cult is funny, because he is used to justify evrything. And his policies are related to the ultra nationalist position some people take as well. I think it's a bit sad because when the Turkish Republic was formed I don't think Ataturk wanted a Turkish state based on race but rather a shared cultural identity, but that hasn't been the case. Ok, I side tracked a bit. About secularism it should mean religion not interfering with the state - but it doesn't talk about the role of religion in society - and I personally don't think the state should dictate how people want to live in society. <BR/>Ok...i'll stop. I'm out of my depth here :D<BR/>And your dad looks like Ataturk??!! Well, he must look really distinguished and handsome then. By the way, did you know Ataturk was born in the Balkans as well?<BR/><BR/>Pan: And since when do I care about spamming??!! :P<BR/><BR/>Nitin: Tis done. And how do you use feeds anyway? I have never managed to figure that out.Szerelemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911190230851186924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-2923560107630514292007-02-09T12:39:00.000+08:002007-02-09T12:39:00.000+08:00It could be the new blogger. If you could kindly d...It could be the new blogger. <BR/>If you could kindly do this for me. <BR/>Under the Settings tab, click on the link called "Site Feed" and check whether blog feed is allowed as "full".<BR/>It should be full.niTinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07859833899214904280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-83114475218414333322007-02-09T00:43:00.000+08:002007-02-09T00:43:00.000+08:00Muhhhaha, her dad does look like Ataturk. It is cr...Muhhhaha, her dad does look like Ataturk. It is creepy. Alright, enough with the spamming here!Panaceahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16115631444598660814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-58575078496133265772007-02-08T22:09:00.000+08:002007-02-08T22:09:00.000+08:00Eugh, I hate Turkish delight, it's just a flavour ...Eugh, I hate Turkish delight, it's just a flavour that I can't stand. And it gets stuck in your teeth.<BR/><BR/>Of course you may join us in our exploration of Turkey, szerelem; in fact, you probably know more about it than we do, so you can be our guide. We should really go to Trabzon, it really is supposed to be beautiful.<BR/><BR/>Ataturk is pretty much god in Turkey, he's all over the place, in textbooks, framed in shops, on flags, etc. I didn't grow up in Turkey so regrettably I know very little about his reforms. But I do know that forced Westernisation is not always a good thing. I'm not saying Turkey should have stayed an Islamic country, I'm all pro-secularism, but there's something to say for traditions. I mean, was it really necessary to change the script of the language? On an unrelated not, my dad looks exactly like Ataturk. It's creepy!<BR/><BR/>I agree that Turkish is beautiful (I am a little biased, aren't I?) but I'm so glad I learnt it in childhood; this vowel harmony thing you speak of seems so incredibly complicated!<BR/><BR/>Opuyorum!The Poodle's Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145759580429858299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-37919257343770725712007-02-08T15:53:00.000+08:002007-02-08T15:53:00.000+08:00actually, i knew the history of turkey beforehand ...actually, i knew the history of turkey beforehand to watching the movie and while reading, I was intrigued abt ataturk's policies, particularly for an islamic country and that too for one surrounded by other islamic countries that arent so. he was pretty farsighted. he used some swiss reforms policy (?) within his reforms agenda and pretty much securalized turkey out of the clutches of religious hold, and protracted a 'liberal' society not even matched by europe at that time! But, ceylan's movie protrayed Istanbul's culture as pretty "westernized" and that took me by a bit of surprise (in a good way, i think). Yeah, he is pretty famous in cannes. his films portray human desolation that singe the heart. and the french love it! (one more reason to say that the oscars are much over-hyped!)<BR/><BR/>but, if you see the movie 'midnight express', one gets the picture that the turkish law and order is pretty much down in the sink. but, its by an american, so it might be highly dramatized too, with generalizations galore, I believe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-43898102231599033802007-02-08T12:32:00.000+08:002007-02-08T12:32:00.000+08:00arun: Hmmm...I wish I had more access to Turkish f...arun: Hmmm...I wish I had more access to Turkish films. (not all film industries are as far reaching as Bollywood, now are they?) I caught <I>Uzak</I> at a film festival; lets see when I get to see <I>Iklimler</I>. Ceylan has acted in it as well right? And yeah, I thought he did a really good job in <I>Uzak</I>. He's quite a favourite at Cannes I think.<BR/>About Turkey, well, I have never been there of course, but have heard only the most wonderful things about Istanbul. The history of the Turkish republic is pretty interesting to read about, especially (for me atleast)the formation of the republic after the break down of the Ottoman empire and how Ataturk brought in huge changes and modernisation. <BR/>There is also, I feel, a mass generalisation about Islamic culture so people tend to think of Turkey like that as well. But like TPF pointed out it is very different.<BR/>And the language does sound nice. I think it flows really well because of the vowel harmony rule.Am learning through books and the internet right now...will probably get some Cd's later as well.<BR/><BR/>MT: Sigh. Haven't you been reading this blog long enough to know I have wanted to visit Turkey since <I>forever</I>?? You're the second person in the last few days to tell me that Turkey is very <I>in</I> right now. Which is ok, just that I don't have fixations based on the fad of the moment :)<BR/>I guess Pamuk might be one reason, I do know he's ridiculously popular in the US. Also maybe because of the whole joining EU thing. Plus Turkey is doing pretty well economically right now and is an important actor in the region. Then of course, it's an Islamic country but quite a departure from the stereotype. Probably all those things make it interesting.<BR/>Oh, and I'm pretty sure TPF (who's a she) meant desert but the metaphor of Turkey being like a <I>dessert</I> works well for me. I love lokum (especially the rose flavoured ones). Makes visiting Turkey seem even more appetising :DSzerelemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911190230851186924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-54656007190296454572007-02-08T02:48:00.000+08:002007-02-08T02:48:00.000+08:00Turkey and all things Turkish seem to suddenly be ...Turkey and all things Turkish seem to suddenly be very <i>in</i> now. You're the third person I have heard in the last few months who is planning a visit and trying to learn the language.<br />Someone I know actually married not one but two Turkish men in the span of the last 14 months. And to think I had barely even heard of the country until recently. Maybe it's Pamuk's influence.<br />When TPF spoke of Turkey being a desert, did he possibly mean a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Delight">dessert</a>?MockTurtlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942127145539788943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-66400599133436174072007-02-07T17:43:00.000+08:002007-02-07T17:43:00.000+08:00and if you see ceylan's most recent movie - Climat...and if you see ceylan's most recent movie - Climates - your want to visit turkey will increase tenfold! What I got to know from that movie is that istanbul is pretty mod for an islamic country, while the countryside of turkey is pretty scenic and well, country-ish. Also I felt turkish language is ambrosia for the ear, neither as fluffy as french nor as edged as german....made a mental note to learn this language. u r learning online or thro' books? (btw, what a wonderful director! A real find!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-75231084125934808272007-02-07T13:34:00.000+08:002007-02-07T13:34:00.000+08:00TPF: If I somehow manage to end up in Turkey while...TPF: If I somehow manage to end up in Turkey while Pan and you are there we should plan to travel together. Wotsay? <br />And I don't really have a problem with the umlauts on u - which I just pronounce as eeewww, hehehe. I am butchering your language am I not? Anyway, o with the umlaut is such a pain I always get stuck on the pronunciation.<br />Oh, and since you mentioned Saudi. There was a Turkish exchange student I knew last term and every one kept here asking her if she was Arab when she told them she was from Turkey. Idiots. She was one mighty pissed girl after a while. <br /><br />swathi: Pamuk. Oh dear. I <i>love</i> that man. Attested to by the fact that I have written enough posts on him for my sidebar to have a tab for 'Pamuk'. :D<br /><br />Punkster: Hee. Tarkan. Hotness. Methinks he's gay though. <br /><br />Raindrop: I'm happy, no, more than happy with Pamuk. :D <br />Many people think I will end up stalking him when and if I visit Istanbul. Too bad they don't know he's living in NY these days.Szerelemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911190230851186924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-21791556871110735742007-02-07T12:13:00.000+08:002007-02-07T12:13:00.000+08:00Tarkan! I deserve to be hanged for spelling his na...Tarkan! I deserve to be hanged for spelling his name wrong.Raindrophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09868858360846629731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-67897012937268794232007-02-07T12:12:00.000+08:002007-02-07T12:12:00.000+08:00Punkster and I fight it out for Taran, and you get...Punkster and I fight it out for Taran, and you get to keep Pamuk. You can take the man out of Turkey, but you can't take Turkey out of the man. <br /><br />I'm told I visited Ankara when I was two. Don't you love it when parents do that to you?:PRaindrophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09868858360846629731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-15923941890330892922007-02-07T04:52:00.000+08:002007-02-07T04:52:00.000+08:00Tarkan is reason enough to morph into a Turk, me t...Tarkan is reason enough to morph into a Turk, me thinks.<br /><br />So go for it Szerelem.<br /><br />*cheers from the sidelines*<br /><br />:)twiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03569187079604473588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-50942545818072355052007-02-06T21:17:00.000+08:002007-02-06T21:17:00.000+08:00color me green on ur travel plans ....
n Pamuk i...color me green on ur travel plans .... <br /><br />n Pamuk is one more reason to fall in lurveee with Turkey.Swathi Sambhani aka Chimerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01847827658841829629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-27834590841252799332007-02-06T20:09:00.000+08:002007-02-06T20:09:00.000+08:00Ooooh, I haven't been to Trabzon but I really want...Ooooh, I haven't been to Trabzon but I really want to go! It's supposed to be beautiful!<br />Oh, Pan has a problem with the o and the u with umlauts too. Is it an Indian thing?<br /><br />PS: You'd be surprised how ignorant people are about Turkey. They think it's Saudi Arabia. Not that I have anything against Saudi Arabia, but it's most definitely not Turkey.The Poodle's Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145759580429858299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-57656917592479404842007-02-06T12:37:00.000+08:002007-02-06T12:37:00.000+08:00nitin: I am completely technologically handicapped...nitin: I am completely technologically handicapped, so I have no idea what you are saying about the xml. I did change to bloggers beta version...maybe that's it? And I <i>am</i> really thankful that I have had the chance to visit a lot many places.<br /><br />Alok: Hehehe. Yeah. I have been lucky to have travelled a bit over the last couple of years. During term time however I am the biggest bore possible. I am generally locked up in my room with a book or movies when I am not in class. First rate social pariah I am.<br /><br />Pan: Heee. I know all the words you mentioned! :P <br />And I guess the grass is always greener on the other side right? If I was in Italy I would be roaming around all the time, I think :PSzerelemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911190230851186924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-89031822657093441792007-02-06T12:31:00.000+08:002007-02-06T12:31:00.000+08:00airy voices: I know :)And really, can you please h...airy voices: I know :)And really, can you please have some more faith in capabilities as a photographer?!!<br /><br />TR: Oh, we'll be there mid april. So you should pass on travel advise.<br /><br />TPF: Hehehe....the spellings are a killer. Especially because of the vowel harmony rule. And yumashak g is not that bad for me (I think, most of the time anyway) But I have trouble with the O with the umlaut on top.<br />About the phtos _ I get what you are saying. I think they are primarily photos of Ceylans' travels and therefore of the places he has been to. But I do agree that in most developing countries there is a great deal of photographical romanticising of poverty. It's true for India as well. I guess one reason for that is that big cities and glass buildings don't really make for interesting photography. <br />Btw, people think Turkey is a desert??? HUH??? *stunned* And I think I told I <i>really</I> want to visit parts of eastern Turkey and areas near the Black Sea. (See, I am not ignorant about Turkey!) I saw pictures of the Sumela Monastery and Trabzon a while back. And, sigh, I really want to go there!Szerelemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17911190230851186924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-4673194309000027102007-02-06T07:31:00.000+08:002007-02-06T07:31:00.000+08:00Gah, my Turkish is limited to 'merhaba' and 'seni ...Gah, my Turkish is limited to 'merhaba' and 'seni seviyorum' and 'tamam' and 'yok'. TPF is a very bad teacher. <br />I'm so jealous that you're going to Cambodia and Vietnam. South East Asia has always been my dream destination :(Panaceahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16115631444598660814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-66187250348531587852007-02-06T05:09:00.000+08:002007-02-06T05:09:00.000+08:00you live such an exciting life :)
I feel worthles...you live such an exciting life :)<br /><br />I feel worthless after reading about your travels. the only traveling i do is "traveling" to office everybody and yes, on weekends, I travel to the library too, which is sadly not that far either. rest of the time sit and mope in the apartment with a book over my head.Alokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12947383354732747209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25135975.post-395459348973487882007-02-06T02:05:00.000+08:002007-02-06T02:05:00.000+08:00Did you happen to fiddle with your xml by any chan...Did you happen to fiddle with your xml by any chance? I can't get the feed for your blog. <br />Now, I feel like adding Turkey to the list of places to visit. And kudos to you, you've already visited so many places. It could of course, always be worse.niTinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07859833899214904280noreply@blogger.com