¡Hola humanos esperanzados! 🧡
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. Lo que he estado usando: 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 este colorido mapa of the city's underground (or, rather, above ground 3rd and 4th story) gay bars and clubs. Our favourite? Café Mor Kedi, un escondite en la 3ª planta con danza del vientre y un público magníficamente acogedor.
2. What I'm learning: El turco en la transferencia lingüística - 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: Los retos de ser vegano en Turquía - 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 restaurantes veganos y aprendió a cocinar delicioso platos veganos. Vegan-friendly dishes I'll be taking home to cook again? Ezme, Manti y 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 Belturpero nuestra favorita fue 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: La influencia de 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 documental sobre Tate, que sigo recomendando.
📣 Llamadas mías y de mi red
⚖️ Pro bono UK legal help - a charity I support needs legal help with a defamation case. Email me!
💰 Donaciones urgentes - a hundred people need emergency support in Athens. Donate if you can!
📵 Comprométete a participar en febrero sin teléfono - a digital detox challenge I'm co-organising for 2024
👨💻 ¿Necesita un sitio web impresionante? - check out GSF Creations, my new sustainable web design agency
🎓 Únete a la Aspen Rising Leaders Fellowship - aged 21-35 in the UK? I can nominate you!
🧡 Síndico de recaudación de fondos at Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (where I'm also a Trustee)
📱 Móvil honesto - 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.
