Hello hopeful humans! 🧡
This themed edition comes in the wake of 5 weeks spent in Turkey where I’ve been lucky enough to dive into Turkish history, culture and language. Enjoy some special Turkey bullets plus other treats I’ve come across or re-discovered over the past weeks. Please enjoy!
1. What I’ve been using: Istanbul’s secret LGBTQI+ Map – Despite same-sex activity being legal in Turkey since 1858 (a fabulously early stance taken under the Ottoman Empire), you don’t see many Rainbow Flags flying here. Queer culture remains very much under the radar. However, whilst in Istanbul, I have greatly enjoyed this colourful map of the city’s underground (or, rather, above ground 3rd and 4th story) gay bars and clubs. Our favourite? Cafe Mor Kedi, a 3rd floor hide-out with belly-dancing and a gorgeously friendly crowd!
2. What I’m learning: Turkish on Language Transfer – Still my absolutely favourite language learning tool, Language Transfer uses an audio-only methodology (akin to Michel Thomas or Berlitz) but which demands so much more than rote learning. Completely free and with awesome courses in French, Italian, Turkish, Swahili, Arabic, Spanish, German, Greek and now also Music Theory, this is an initiative of one individual guy that I can’t get enough of.
3. What I’m owning up to: The challenges of being vegan in Turkey – I’ll be honest, the past month has seen me consume more animal products than in years. A lack of availability combined with wanting to try so many regional treats got in the way. Nevertheless, we have visited some incredible vegan restaurants and learnt to cook delicious vegan dishes. Vegan-friendly dishes I’ll be taking home to cook again? Ezme, Manti and Katmer (ok, that last one is hard to make vegan – but it is just sublime!)
4. What I’m inspired by: Turkey’s Municipal Restaurants Scheme – Across Turkey, each municipality runs its own chain of restaurants. It is an inspired idea. These state-run restaurants boast prime locations, top-class service and affordable prices. I love them because they ensure that locals aren’t priced out of eating out in some of the most touristic destinations. Each municipality’s chain has a different name, so do some local Google-ing: in Istanbul it’s Beltur, but our hands-down favourite was Fethiye’s LimonH20 Bistro, where we went back consecutively each and every meal-time. Why don’t more countries – and tourist hotspots – learn from this approach?
5. What I’m shocked at: The influence of Andrew Tate – “Last year, Andrew Tate had more searches on Google than Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian and Queen Elizabeth II put together. His dominance in the lives of boys and the impact of his rhetoric on masculinity culture can’t be understated.” (Last month I posted a documentary about Tate which I still recommend!
📣 Callouts from me and my network
⚖️ Pro bono UK legal help – a charity I support needs legal help with a defamation case. Email me!
💰 Urgent donations – a hundred people need emergency support in Athens. Donate if you can!
📵 Pledge to join Phone Free February – a digital detox challenge I’m co-organising for 2024
👨💻 Need an awesome website? – check out GSF Creations, my new sustainable web design agency
🎓 Join the Aspen Rising Leaders Fellowship – aged 21-35 in the UK? I can nominate you!
🧡 Fundraising Trustee at Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (where I’m also a Trustee)
📱 Honest Mobile – use referral code jacobwarn1994 to join the UK’s most sustainable network
That’s it for this fortnight. As ever, please let me know your thoughts and feedback – and send anything you’d like me to include in upcoming editions this way.
