Saturday, October 31, 2009
Cappadocia, Turkey
Turkey - From Istanbul's otogar (thats bus station to English speakers), I boarded an overnight coach, arriving in Cappadocia at the crack of dawn. in the town of Göreme. People have been carving homes into the rocks of this surreal landscape for ages. And what did I do after a night on a bus without sleep, but go hiking for hours. I walked the Rose Valley to Çavusin, catching a dolmus back. The next day, I tramped the Pigeon Valley (devoid of pigeons) to the castle-like Uçhsar. A busy day next. A plunge into the depths of Derinkuyu, the underground city, which once housed thousands. Then a stroll through the Ilhara Gorge, with monasteries carved into the cliff sides. Finally, ascending the heights of Selime Monastery. Back to another otogar to depart as I arrived. On another overnight coach. The musical accompaniment is Menouthis by E. S. Posthumus and Pompeii also by E. S. Posthumus.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Istanbul
Istanbul - OK, first the touristy spots in Sultanahmet. the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, moseying over to the Spice Bazaar (lovely aromas - sorry I couldn't film in smellorama), the Grand Bazaar and the surrounding streets (which I found more interesting). Then sidled over to the Galata Bridge, where everyone and their brother seemed to be fishing. Since its hot, lets descend into the dark, cool Basilica Cistern. The stone head, suddenly illuminated by flash, belongs to Medusa (so don't look, or you too will be turned to stone). Taking a ferry across the Bosphorus from continental Europe to continental Asia. Regular Istanbul, sans tourist critters. I alighted at Üsküdar and hoofed it down to Kadikyö, then hopped another ferry back. The muscial accompaniment is Nara by E. S. Posthumus, and then upping the tempo with Ljubav Kraj Izvora/Zvezdanovo (Skupovo) Kolo by 3 Mustaphas 3.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Turkey - Kinetic Snapshots
Turkey - the sound and live-action. Starting inside the Blue Mosque. Over to Topkaki Palace (not worth the 20 lira). Wandering around the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. After an overnight coach trip to Cappadocia, I woke to hot air balloons over Goreme. A quick hike through the tame Ilhara Gorge. Then a quick descent into an underground city dug by early christians hiding from Hittites (see the photo/video to actually see it). Up to gambol on the heights of the Selime Monastery. Then south bound to Antalya. Part of the late night Ramadan celebration was a dance contest (the kid in the white shirt won). From the Mediterranean to the Aegean coast. In idyllic Faralya, I was lucky to witness a rare sunset that occurs only once every 24 hours. Back to Antalya for the big bird, returning to Istanbul. Boarded a ferry plying the Bosphorus, darting amongst vessels of every size, going in every direction. And survived.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Bike Race
Arlington, Virginia. In Clarendon (or Bankrupt Row, speaking in future tense) bike was pitted against velo, pitted against fiets, pitted against the spectators' threshold of boredom. Round and round and round... The musical accompaniment is Zazie Fait De La Bicyclette by Les Plastiscines.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Argentina - Tilcara to Iruya
Northwest Argentina ...continued. Heading north out of Salta for a brief stay in Tilcara. Then on to the nice adobe town of Humahuaca - despite being overlooked by a huge kitschy sculpture. Another day was spent trekking the back roads in search of a lost pre-Columbian archaeology site, while stalked by feral cacti. It remains lost, though we evaded the prickly situation. Northwards again until the bus made a right off the main drag (screech!) onto an unsealed road. We rattled up, over and down, down to the end of the line, Iruya. A peaceful town nestled in a spectacular sheer valley. The musical accompaniment is Aguaplano by Paolo Conte and Taki Rock from "La Meilleure Sélection Des Andes".
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Quebrada de Cafayate
Northwest Argentina - North of Cafayate, Route 40 winds through the Quebrada de Cafayate. Along the way are canyons and rock formations sculpted by wind and water, never before seen by human eyes. To reach one canyon, we waded across a river teeming with hungry crocodiles. The musical accompaniment is Humahuaqueño from La Meilleure Sélection Des Andes.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Argentina - Tafi del Valle to Salta
Northwest Argentina and the high desert regions in the shadow of the Andes (no you can't see them). Strays dogs roam everywhere. Even a few stray horses. Tafi del Valle had quiet streets, since it was off season, and too early for the Tucuman refugees fleeing the summer heat. Then north through Los Valles Calchaquíes to Cafayate, before moving on to the big city of Salta. The musical accompaniment is La Cordillera de los Andes by Los Enanitos Verdes.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tango in La Boca
La Boca - For some reason turistas flock to this grey, colourless neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. Previously, it housed the working class, who laboured in the port. Today, artists flog their creations, while others flog the usual souvenir junk. Restaurateurs stage tango dances outside to lure in diners. A scarf dance was thrown in to keep you alert. The musical accompaniment is Tango Forte by Dublex Inc. WARNING: This film contains live-action footage. Do not be frightened.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires. Well start with the gentrified Puerto Madera, then past Plaza de Mayo into the city. Hey, its Sunday. In San Telmo, Avenue Defensa is closed to motor traffic. Crafts, buskers, performance artists and turista hordes with digi-cams on extended arms, throng the street. Then over for a jaunt in the lively necropolis of the Recoleta Cemetery (Eva says Hola!). Over in the upscale Palermo, I trekked through relentless manicured parks to the holy grail of Buenos Aires - Club de Pescadores, perched over the muddy Rio de la Plata. The musical accompaniment is La Revencha del Tango by Gotan Project.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Argentina - Kinetic Snapshots
Raw and uncensored footage never before seen in theaters or on DVD from a trip to Argentina. A pastiche of action clips pretty much following the journey - Buenos Aires, Tafi del Valle, Cafayate, Salta, Humuhuaca, Iruya, Tilcara, then Salta and BsAs again.
Three more videos with better image quality from still photos (and locale specific) are to come later. Four, if you're good.
Three more videos with better image quality from still photos (and locale specific) are to come later. Four, if you're good.
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