Bra-less

I acquired not one, two, or even three, but FOUR brand-new costumes this week!  I was excited to the point of being overwhelmed.  Which costume should get the spotlight first? I wondered.

I decided on the black and pink one, and carefully applied black and pink eyeshadow to complement it.  I got to the hotel early and decided to enjoy a little dinner (and dessert) on them.  After a leisurely meal, I headed backstage with about 25 minutes to dress and warm up.

I unpacked my bag: Skirt, check.  Armbands, check.  Ballroom shoes, check.  Body glitter, check.  But NO COSTUME BRA!

My biggest fear realized–I’d forgotten a crucial part of my costume.  Too late to go home and get it.  Luckily, there was a pashmina-wearing fellow on staff at the hotel, and the Georgian dance group leader had accessorized her outfit with a shiny sequined shrug that she donated to the cause.  Together, the scarf and shrug became a bandeau and choli top.  I doubled up a tacky belt I found backstage and it became an “ethnic” necklace.

Clearly not the best look, but the show must go on!

Gratitude above all else

While there is plenty to complain about, from the food to the plumbing, and many irritations in between, I have to remember that things are actually pretty good.

Bodrum is beautiful.  It’s a peninsula, so almost everywhere you look, there’s a view of the sea.  The sun sets behind the mountains every day.  Sometimes, after a show, audience members follow me backstage or to the exit to take a photo, or, if they’re little girls, to get my autograph.  While occasionally undervalued or taken for granted, my art is, for the most part, highly appreciated.

In the month of June, I gave 49 performances, so I can assuredly say that my skills are being well honed.  I will keep this experience, as the Turkish saying goes, “as an earring in my ear”–learn from it– and enjoy.

Meanwhile, I plan my next step.

Idiots and Children

God bless children and idiots?  Is that how the saying goes?  I’m not sure, but I sure am grateful for the inconsiderate moron who called me, drunk, at 5:10 am on this Sunday morning.

I had semi-consciously ignored my relenting mobile phone alarm at 5:oo.  I managed to fall back into a deep sleep in which I literally dreamed about getting up and preparing for my early morning flight instead of actually doing it.

Now, miraculously, I am headed out the door and off to Istanbul for a much-needed two and a half day vacation.

I plan to make the most of it!

Greece for the Day

Yesterday I hopped on a ferry from Bodrum. After a short nap, I woke up in Cos, one of the Greek islands. It’s only half an hour away from Turkey, but it feels very different. For starters, this was the first time I’d gone to a country without even knowing how to say “hello”, let alone, “Where is the bathroom?”, which to me, feels awkward and bit self-important. The only phrase I could remember in Greek is “Kataleveno ligo Ellinika“–“I speak a bit of Greek”–which is a lie, ’cause I don’t!

Secondly, the value of the euro is twice that of Turkish currency, so all of a sudden, I was broke, even though I’d bought nothing but lunch, a phrasebook, and a jar of honey.

I did learn “hello” (“yassou”) and “thank you” (“efharisto”) as the day progressed, and my wallet was saved from further damage when all the shopkeepers closed for business to take a two and a half hour lunch.

The Catamaran

The Catamaran is mega-club in Bodrum that is actually a ship.  The dance floor is transparent so beneath your feet you can see the sea.

There are shirtless male go-go dancers.  One of them doubles as a hypeman and wears a sequined tuxedo jacket with tails and “pumps up the crowd” by encouraging us “party people” to get ready, put our hands in the air, countdown, jump up and down, etc.  I recognized him as a winning contestant from a dance television show I used to follow.

There are scantily clad female go-go dancers.  (They don’t dance as well as the boys, but are excellent at hair tosses.)

One of the go-go girls is also an aerial artist who swings from a ring fixed high on the ship.  Topless.  Oh, and she’s transsexual.

Last night the soca singer of “I Like to Move It, Move It” fame performed there, too.

Drinks are expensive at the Catamaran.  I know this because my friend ordered a whole bunch for herself and surprise! had no money on her to pay for them.

A unique experience, to say the least.