As you all are well-aware, I live with 7 other girls, and our apartment serves as the waiting area for all of the other models that are in town for our agency (since the agency is connecting to our place). This all adds up to A LOT of girls in one single space, which means constant girl behavior all around me. Girls talking and yelling in their many languages. Trash from everyone eating and leaving behind dishes. One shower filled to the brim with bath products. Computers and cords taking over the main room. And clothes and shoes left everywhere!
I believe that the last couple days have been the only few that I have been left here in peace and quiet. To have a month of no privacy has probably been the biggest struggle to deal with because I LOVE my space and privacy. This has definitely given me the experience of a college dorm that I ran away from when I was 18. Having experienced the dorms for a whopping 3 days at KU, I had had enough. And now I have spent a month in much tighter quarters than anyone could ever imagine.
Now it hasn't been too bad, but now that everyone has their footing here, the cliques have formed and my space has become my top bunk. I'm not hurt over the cliques or anything because basically, the girls stick to the girls that are from their country. And you really get to learn the habits and behaviors of the different girls. You see who cleans, who can actually cook, who talks for hours on end, and what respect levels exist for each country. And I've been pretty much the only American here the entire time. There is one other but she has her own apartment all the way on the Asia side, so major bummer. And the other day I met a client who happened to be an American citizen which was pretty bad ass!! He was probably the best client that we have met, and I'm sad I'm leaving before I was able to work with him but my home calls me.
Sorry back to the subject. So with all these country cliques, it's left me to kinda be that person who has stuck to themself. I've become the one who helps them with their English, rewrites messages, and that's about it. Now I have gone out with them and gone to dinner and shopping and such, but there is only so much I can stand of hearing 4 to 5 to 6 different languages at one time. There are days where my head was seriously going to explode because I had heard Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Serbian, Turkish, and a little English here and there. All of this combined with the different tones and yelling equals major headaches! And you can definitely tell by body language and learning some words that sometimes they say things about you, but you can't really say anything because EVERYONE understands English. Everyone understands what I say so there is no way for me to vent without everyone understanding. I guess I may have gained some better Karma because it's really taught me that talking about other people or complaining is a waste of time and breathe. I've been one not to complain even though I've probably had the worst trip out of everyone here, but what's the point. All I hear is complaining, complaining, and more complaining from everyone's mouth in every language possible and it gets them nowhere. So in a way I'm glad that everyone understands me because it gives me more reason to not give into that shit.
I may have become what some call a loner, but that is A-OK with me. I don't like the cliques, the complaining, and whining. I've never been a bitch (maybe a tad moody here and there) and I've always been one to smile and put on a happy face so I know I'm leaving on good terms with everyone. I've met some very interesting girls and they've definitely been great entertainment to distract me from missing my home. But tomorrow will be the end of dorm-life for this American. Finally, I'll be back in my own private, space with my man and dog. I won't be hearing crazy languages all day all the time. And I'll have a nice comfy bed and wonderful amazing shower that is all clean and MINE! Oh I miss clean! I've kinda forgotten what that means :)
So for my last day here, another wet, rainy, cold day, I'm planning what I want to do when I get home. HA! Hopefully I'll be over my horrible cold, which everyone has been sick in this house, and I'll be home. home. home. See you soon America!! :)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Back to the good ol' US of A.
Well after a week of knowing that I was heading home, I finally got to book my ticket yesterday. Thank you parents for coming through for me. My amazing dad got me a ticket home using his miles that has taken him years to build up to get me home without shelling out a $1000 for a one-way ticket. Now, you may ask why I had to book my own ticket and didn't I have a return ticket. Well with some things you just have to get them done yourself. And yes I did. I had a round trip ticket, but you see with the fees and difference in tickets there was pretty much no point in messing with all of that because it may have even added up to being more than just buying a ticket. So once I finally got the okay that I could book a ticket, I immediately got a hold of my amazing parents and within about 10 minutes, my flight was booked, the agency here knew, and I was jumping for joy!
(Amazing parents at the Kid Rock concert)
So on Tuesday the 18th, I'm coming back to the good old United States of America!! :)
Now I was considering going to other cities since I'm already over here, but due to the lack of new pictures from this place, it wasn't the greatest idea. So I'm homeward bound and can't be more thrilled!!
Even though this trip has been pointless work wise, it definitely made me appreciate everything that I have back home so MUCH more! My family, boyfriend, and friends have seriously kept my head above this mucky water and have kept me going. I have such an amazing support system that I really consider myself so damn lucky to have everything that I do. And I've had some fun experiences while here so I definitely don't see this trip as a regret or mistake; just a major pothole in my road called life. I ate some amazing food, met some cool people, and experienced a really interesting city, which most never get to see. So I will take all of that home and cherish it, but I will do it in the comfort of my own private loft with my ginormous bed cuddling with my awesome boyfriend. 2 More full days and I'm out :)
(Amazing parents at the Kid Rock concert)
So on Tuesday the 18th, I'm coming back to the good old United States of America!! :)
Now I was considering going to other cities since I'm already over here, but due to the lack of new pictures from this place, it wasn't the greatest idea. So I'm homeward bound and can't be more thrilled!!
Even though this trip has been pointless work wise, it definitely made me appreciate everything that I have back home so MUCH more! My family, boyfriend, and friends have seriously kept my head above this mucky water and have kept me going. I have such an amazing support system that I really consider myself so damn lucky to have everything that I do. And I've had some fun experiences while here so I definitely don't see this trip as a regret or mistake; just a major pothole in my road called life. I ate some amazing food, met some cool people, and experienced a really interesting city, which most never get to see. So I will take all of that home and cherish it, but I will do it in the comfort of my own private loft with my ginormous bed cuddling with my awesome boyfriend. 2 More full days and I'm out :)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Patience is Key!
One key ingredient to being a model is having patience. Patience is the virtue that allows every model to survive the hours of waiting and waiting and waiting. At castings, you wait. At jobs, you wait. In the car, you wait. By the phone, you wait. For emails, you wait. For a ride, you wait. Everywhere and for everything, you wait. If you do not carry this virtue of patience, then do NOT consider modeling as your career.
The days that we have castings should be renamed the Days of Waiting. When we all pile in the car to head out to castings, we wait for the driver to arrive. Once in the car, we wait for one or two models who lag behind either going to the store last minute or just taking their sweet time. In the car, we wait through the crazy, insane traffic which it may take 20 minutes to get somewhere or during rush hour it may take 2 hours to get home. After arriving at the client's, we wait for the client to either arrive or make the time to see us; even though, they set the time up for us to come and see them. They are never ready. Once we have seen the client, then we wait for the rest of our girls to see them. After everyone has finished, then we all pile back in the car and head to a casting that maybe one girl has so we wait for that one girl to see that client which can take up to 30 minutes of waiting in the van. When all the castings are finished, if it is lunch then we go and wait for 30 minutes to an hour to go on more castings. If it is near the end of the day, then we may have to wait around the agency just in case a new casting pops up. For those castings that happen in the agency, usually we are all on time and end up waiting for the client to show up which on average is 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. On good days, clients are on time and just getting settled in their tea and such, but that is rare!
As for jobs, we wait for everyone to arrive. We wait for hair and makeup people to set up their supplies. Then we wait for everyone to decide what type of look they are trying to achieve. We wait for them to perfect the look on us. We wait for lighting to get perfected. We wait for stylists to decide what type of clothing will look the best with the hair and makeup. We wait for the clients to approve everything. Then we wait for a ride home.
On days off, we wait by our computers either on facebook, skype, or our emails waiting for someone to talk to from home. Or even waiting for our bookers to email us back. We wait by the phone because they say that possible castings may come up.
So if you haven't gotten the drift yet, WE WAIT A LOT!!! If I actually took time to count how many minutes we wait around for something, then I'd probably drop dead with how much time it truly is. The big joke in the van these days is how many hours in a week we spend in the van compared to a casting or job because we all know that that van is our second home. For our driver, it is his office. We just have to put in a little coffee maker for him and BOOM he's got an office with his 3 cell phones, reclining chair which serves as both desk chair and bed, his schedule sheet, and then his pedals and steering wheel which is like his computer.
With all of this waiting we do, we have become really patient people (or one who everyone hates because you complain about all the waiting) and we have become really, really good at entertaining ourselves. You see girls playing on their phones, listening to music, reading, or chatting with fellow country people. As for me, I've gotten halfway through a book, read numerous magazines, and am getting amazing at Angry Birds. And the castings that we go on are nothing compared to what you see in major markets. In Milan, I would wait hours for one casting because every single model in town would be there. So as all models know, we must be patient.
These past weeks I have especially gained a lot patience with everything going on. Having to wait to talk to my boyfriend and family back home with the 8 hour time difference has made me realize how much I truly love talking with them. Every single minute I get to talk, I relish it! Now we have a pretty good system down where when I'm done with my day, they are usually starting theres or I get to chat while they are at lunch so it hasn't been that bad. I've also been waiting for emails. I haven't had a working phone for almost 2 weeks now so all I have is my trusty little laptop where I can skype and email and facebook and blog until my heart is content. But sometimes I miss that quick connection where I could just call my boyfriend and be able to talk with him as long as I want and whenever I want without a huge international fee.
International trips are a real test of patience and love. You have to really be able to wait for everything to happen, and you have to love what you are doing with the support and love from back home. I'm 5,821 miles away from everyone I love and everything that comforts me. (Yes, I googled the actual miles between Kansas City and Istanbul) :) And now I am waiting for the moment that I hear when I am heading home. Waiting for that one email that says, your flight is booked. Waiting once again. I think I should become a professional waiter because I can do it so well now. HA!
But with waiting and patience comes good things. So I will wait here and hit you guys up later!
Waiting and Hoping! E
The days that we have castings should be renamed the Days of Waiting. When we all pile in the car to head out to castings, we wait for the driver to arrive. Once in the car, we wait for one or two models who lag behind either going to the store last minute or just taking their sweet time. In the car, we wait through the crazy, insane traffic which it may take 20 minutes to get somewhere or during rush hour it may take 2 hours to get home. After arriving at the client's, we wait for the client to either arrive or make the time to see us; even though, they set the time up for us to come and see them. They are never ready. Once we have seen the client, then we wait for the rest of our girls to see them. After everyone has finished, then we all pile back in the car and head to a casting that maybe one girl has so we wait for that one girl to see that client which can take up to 30 minutes of waiting in the van. When all the castings are finished, if it is lunch then we go and wait for 30 minutes to an hour to go on more castings. If it is near the end of the day, then we may have to wait around the agency just in case a new casting pops up. For those castings that happen in the agency, usually we are all on time and end up waiting for the client to show up which on average is 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. On good days, clients are on time and just getting settled in their tea and such, but that is rare!
As for jobs, we wait for everyone to arrive. We wait for hair and makeup people to set up their supplies. Then we wait for everyone to decide what type of look they are trying to achieve. We wait for them to perfect the look on us. We wait for lighting to get perfected. We wait for stylists to decide what type of clothing will look the best with the hair and makeup. We wait for the clients to approve everything. Then we wait for a ride home.
On days off, we wait by our computers either on facebook, skype, or our emails waiting for someone to talk to from home. Or even waiting for our bookers to email us back. We wait by the phone because they say that possible castings may come up.
So if you haven't gotten the drift yet, WE WAIT A LOT!!! If I actually took time to count how many minutes we wait around for something, then I'd probably drop dead with how much time it truly is. The big joke in the van these days is how many hours in a week we spend in the van compared to a casting or job because we all know that that van is our second home. For our driver, it is his office. We just have to put in a little coffee maker for him and BOOM he's got an office with his 3 cell phones, reclining chair which serves as both desk chair and bed, his schedule sheet, and then his pedals and steering wheel which is like his computer.
With all of this waiting we do, we have become really patient people (or one who everyone hates because you complain about all the waiting) and we have become really, really good at entertaining ourselves. You see girls playing on their phones, listening to music, reading, or chatting with fellow country people. As for me, I've gotten halfway through a book, read numerous magazines, and am getting amazing at Angry Birds. And the castings that we go on are nothing compared to what you see in major markets. In Milan, I would wait hours for one casting because every single model in town would be there. So as all models know, we must be patient.
These past weeks I have especially gained a lot patience with everything going on. Having to wait to talk to my boyfriend and family back home with the 8 hour time difference has made me realize how much I truly love talking with them. Every single minute I get to talk, I relish it! Now we have a pretty good system down where when I'm done with my day, they are usually starting theres or I get to chat while they are at lunch so it hasn't been that bad. I've also been waiting for emails. I haven't had a working phone for almost 2 weeks now so all I have is my trusty little laptop where I can skype and email and facebook and blog until my heart is content. But sometimes I miss that quick connection where I could just call my boyfriend and be able to talk with him as long as I want and whenever I want without a huge international fee.
International trips are a real test of patience and love. You have to really be able to wait for everything to happen, and you have to love what you are doing with the support and love from back home. I'm 5,821 miles away from everyone I love and everything that comforts me. (Yes, I googled the actual miles between Kansas City and Istanbul) :) And now I am waiting for the moment that I hear when I am heading home. Waiting for that one email that says, your flight is booked. Waiting once again. I think I should become a professional waiter because I can do it so well now. HA!
But with waiting and patience comes good things. So I will wait here and hit you guys up later!
Waiting and Hoping! E
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Little Things Count
Hello, again, from Istanbul. Quick update: Nothing has happened!!! No, seriously, nothing. Let's just say I should have gotten those damn breast implants before I left. Gosh Darn! :)
So far I have been busy doing webshootings and castings and not a whole heck of a lot else. I've been here officially three weeks, and I was ready to leave about a week and a half ago. The Turkish modeling market is just not my market, and I am okay with that. Not every place is meant to be so it's all good. But to keep my mind off of the non-modeling I am doing, I've been taking this crazy city in. Now our days are fairly long, and we usually only get Sundays off so I haven't done too much exploring but little by little I've grown to love this hectic town.
Right outside of our door, we have a cafe, kebap restaurant, kulver (amazing pastries, see pic), little grocery stores, and a mado.
Within walking distance, we have a couple of fabulous gigantic malls which out-do anything that I've ever seen in America. Skyscraper malls that are so pristine, you would never imagine that there are shops held inside.
(Istanbul Sapphire: with shops, offices, apartments, and restaurants inside)
Inside the Sapphire, there are serveral levels of shopping and some pretty fabulous restaurants. Us models have the pleasure of dining at Simple free of charge, and the food was fabulous. They had anything from fish, hamburgers, chicken, salads, and pasta. Pretty much an array of yummy food.
I didn't buy anything while we were shopping because it was the first time I've shopped at all so I have to be smart with my money and check other stores out too. I hear there's an amazing Mango Outlet so I'm definitely heading there soon.
I, also, had a chance to check out the nightlife here. And oh WOW is it a show to see. We all met up at one of the model apartments for a little pre-night drink, which was super chill and fun. Then we headed to a club called Supper Club. Music pounding, lights flashing, and velvet ropes led us to the door. At the club, we are treated as royalty which is pretty darn awesome. We went straight to the VIP section where there were about 8 bed things with trays of nuts, fruit, juice, Redbulls, and a bottle of Absolut. And we even got our own little server man to pour us drinks and replenish our empty bottle of vodka whenever we needed. I've never had such great service before. The club seriously spoils us as long as we keep a happy face on, dance, and drink. I could really get use to free unlimited bottle service and our own bed and drink pourer. That really amazed me how well we were treated there.
So it was R&B night which meant it was a crazy packed place. There were people freakin sweating on each other; it was so hot and full of clubbers. The music wasn't exactly my style, but everyone was dancing and having a great time. Now this is when I start to sound old. I stopped drinking after about an hour and kinda grew tired. I am not much for clubs, and the last time I went to one was for a birthday and I lasted about an hour before I had to get out of there. So I just chilled on the couch watching all the drunk people dance and have a crazy time. I'm not a party spoiler so I kept a smile on my face and randomly would dance, but there were so many guys that I was just not comfortable with it. I have a wonderful boyfriend back home, and I just can't stand when other guys try to touch me at all. I know it sounds lame, but that's why I've avoided the club for 2 weeks now. So I tried as much as possible to stick with the girls. But 3:45 a.m. rolled around and finally everyone was danced out and ready to go. After all that insanity, I couldn't sleep so I skyped my man for 2 hours :)
But overall, I'm super glad that I went. Even though I hate clubs (I'm more of a let's-stay-home-and-drink-and-play games type of girl), I had a lot of fun with the girls and am super glad I got to experience it all. Oh and I forgot to mention, that my pre-night drink of choice was the national drink of Turkey, Raki.
It starts out clear until you pour water into it, and it turns this milky color. It tasted minty but not fresh minty; I can't pinpoint what exactly it reminds me of, but it did the job and is super cheap. It's not a bad drink, but it's not my top favorite.
For my next adventure, Taksim is in sight. It's a cool square full of shops, cafes, and restaurants and is way more touristy than our area. I'm super stoked because I've heard great things about it so hopefully it will bring some more good memories.
As for the modeling, another city is in the works. So we will see what this week brings. I'll keep you posted. Have a wonderful day!! and HAPPY OCTOBER!!!!!
So far I have been busy doing webshootings and castings and not a whole heck of a lot else. I've been here officially three weeks, and I was ready to leave about a week and a half ago. The Turkish modeling market is just not my market, and I am okay with that. Not every place is meant to be so it's all good. But to keep my mind off of the non-modeling I am doing, I've been taking this crazy city in. Now our days are fairly long, and we usually only get Sundays off so I haven't done too much exploring but little by little I've grown to love this hectic town.
Right outside of our door, we have a cafe, kebap restaurant, kulver (amazing pastries, see pic), little grocery stores, and a mado.
Within walking distance, we have a couple of fabulous gigantic malls which out-do anything that I've ever seen in America. Skyscraper malls that are so pristine, you would never imagine that there are shops held inside.
(Istanbul Sapphire: with shops, offices, apartments, and restaurants inside)
Inside the Sapphire, there are serveral levels of shopping and some pretty fabulous restaurants. Us models have the pleasure of dining at Simple free of charge, and the food was fabulous. They had anything from fish, hamburgers, chicken, salads, and pasta. Pretty much an array of yummy food.
I didn't buy anything while we were shopping because it was the first time I've shopped at all so I have to be smart with my money and check other stores out too. I hear there's an amazing Mango Outlet so I'm definitely heading there soon.
I, also, had a chance to check out the nightlife here. And oh WOW is it a show to see. We all met up at one of the model apartments for a little pre-night drink, which was super chill and fun. Then we headed to a club called Supper Club. Music pounding, lights flashing, and velvet ropes led us to the door. At the club, we are treated as royalty which is pretty darn awesome. We went straight to the VIP section where there were about 8 bed things with trays of nuts, fruit, juice, Redbulls, and a bottle of Absolut. And we even got our own little server man to pour us drinks and replenish our empty bottle of vodka whenever we needed. I've never had such great service before. The club seriously spoils us as long as we keep a happy face on, dance, and drink. I could really get use to free unlimited bottle service and our own bed and drink pourer. That really amazed me how well we were treated there.
So it was R&B night which meant it was a crazy packed place. There were people freakin sweating on each other; it was so hot and full of clubbers. The music wasn't exactly my style, but everyone was dancing and having a great time. Now this is when I start to sound old. I stopped drinking after about an hour and kinda grew tired. I am not much for clubs, and the last time I went to one was for a birthday and I lasted about an hour before I had to get out of there. So I just chilled on the couch watching all the drunk people dance and have a crazy time. I'm not a party spoiler so I kept a smile on my face and randomly would dance, but there were so many guys that I was just not comfortable with it. I have a wonderful boyfriend back home, and I just can't stand when other guys try to touch me at all. I know it sounds lame, but that's why I've avoided the club for 2 weeks now. So I tried as much as possible to stick with the girls. But 3:45 a.m. rolled around and finally everyone was danced out and ready to go. After all that insanity, I couldn't sleep so I skyped my man for 2 hours :)
But overall, I'm super glad that I went. Even though I hate clubs (I'm more of a let's-stay-home-and-drink-and-play games type of girl), I had a lot of fun with the girls and am super glad I got to experience it all. Oh and I forgot to mention, that my pre-night drink of choice was the national drink of Turkey, Raki.
It starts out clear until you pour water into it, and it turns this milky color. It tasted minty but not fresh minty; I can't pinpoint what exactly it reminds me of, but it did the job and is super cheap. It's not a bad drink, but it's not my top favorite.
For my next adventure, Taksim is in sight. It's a cool square full of shops, cafes, and restaurants and is way more touristy than our area. I'm super stoked because I've heard great things about it so hopefully it will bring some more good memories.
As for the modeling, another city is in the works. So we will see what this week brings. I'll keep you posted. Have a wonderful day!! and HAPPY OCTOBER!!!!!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Model Van
Greetings again from Istanbul. So if you've ever seen pictures of the insane city, you would know that is it absolutely massive! The tiny little hilly stone paved streets are a mess and the most confusing thing I've ever seen in my life. I believe today was the first day I actually saw a street sign. It would probably take a person about 3 hours to go across the entire city; Europe side to the Asia side. With traffic, crazy drivers, and the vast of land it covers, there would be no way to navigate this city with a map and bus routes; therefore, we get a driver :)
Now you would think, "Oh shit, that's pretty cool. You have your own driver." BUT the two cars the agency has is shared between every single model in town. So if you have a casting close to the time that someone has a job then you are that van quite awhile in order to drop people off and get to where you need to go. And these cars are NOT the most comfortable or spacious when every model is crammed in. There may be 3 rows of seats but those 3 rows are filled with 12 models at times. A great example of this wonderful thing called having a driver was yesterday.
So yesterday myself and two other girls had castings starting at 7 and 2 girls at a job at 6:45 so in order to get the bathroom I was up at 5:30. Yea, 5:30! You might ask well why didn't you shower the night before? Well that is for a different blog. So the driver shows up at 7 and us 3 girls that live here hopped in the car to go fetch the 4th girl from the other apartment. We snag her and off to drop them at their job. Weaving in and out of traffic, up and down the steep hills, dotching speed bumps, we finally arrive 30 minutes to their job. Our wonderful driver makes sure they made it inside okay, and then us 3 remaining girls are off the Asia side of Istanbul. Traffic was too bad on the way there so we made it to the casting at 8:15 am and was told that client wouldn't even be in for another 45 minutes!!! WHAT!!! We were almost an hour early! WTF! After an hour, other models showed up and then we were told that one of the designers was running late so we waited almost another hour before we even saw the client. ALMOST 2 HOURS OF WAITING!!!
The clients are there so we go up, and they don't like any of us ICE models so that was a pointless ass trip. On top of that, our driver had to leave to take another girl to a job so another agency's driver was taking us home, and who did the client like, those models in that agency that we were riding with. So after 3 hours of being there, we finally were able to leave and were heading to the agency. Once there I learn that me and one other girl have a casting in about 20 minutes so we get back in the car and off again to the most traffic filled part of the city, the rich shopping district. Now we had already been here yesterday but this young, non-English speaking driver told us the wrong building so we missed the casting. So back we were at the same spot and the driver, again, told us the wrong building! So we walk out of the building, he's like no no this one, and it was the one I had pointed to and asked him if it was it and he said no. We enter the right building and finally get to the casting which went real smooth. The client spoke really good English and the company was actually part American owned so I'm glad we finally made it. After a quick wardrobe change, we were back in the car and back in the traffic heading to a fashion show casting for some god-awful dresses.
We were the last ones to show so we waited for the other 10 girls to go and then it was our turn to impress the client with these wonderful curtain like shorts and nasty makeup covered white shirt. Needless to say, I'm pretty sure I didn't get that job. Once everyone was done, 2 girls went in the small car and the rest of us were off to drop only 3 girls off at their casting. So we drove dropped them off and waited 30 minutes in the cramped, smoke-filled van for those 3 girls to finish. Then off to drop 1 girl at a job and one more casting for the rest of us. We go and after 30 minutes we leave. Finally at 6:45 we are heading home!
Now having a driver is pretty nice just so we don't have to worry about getting lost or being late, but the majority of our days if we don't have jobs are spent seeing Istanbul through the dirty windows of the model van. We've been to some pretty cool parts of town but I only witnessed them in the van. And this van attracts a lot of attention
Imagine seeing a van filled with 5-10 models slowly drive by (windows not tinted). Your eyes would be hooked on that van. As are all the Turkish people that see us drive by. And when we stop it's like a freakin circus car. Model after model after model jumping out of this little van. So many eyes turn our eye and gawk at us. and they aren't shy about it. They will stand and stare and talk Turkish right at you. And you know they are talking about you because they point and comment and look you up and down. It's as though no one has ever seen girls wear sky-high heels and move in packs. gosh :) Our model van is an attraction to say the least. It is like a creep magnet for all those weird Turkish men to get their fix of beauty for the minute or two they see us. Imagine being on the inside of the van and feeling like a piece of meat from the moment you exit until you get in the building to the casting or job. No fun!
So now you know a little about the model van. We ride in it for hours through the crazy, tiny, ever-so bumpy, hilly Turkish streets with no seat belts and filled to the brim. Now that's what I call luxury :)
Next up, a little story I like to call Models on Parade. Have a wonderful day my little readers! MUAH!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Bunk Bed Living
Model Apartments. What can I say about model apartments...
They are interesting to say the least! Crammed little apartments that smell of cigs and filled with bunk beds. The goal with the model apartment is to charge us girls as much as possible and have as many girls stay in it as physically possible. Even if they have to sleep on couches or make-shift beds, they will fit 9 girls in a tiny one bedroom apartment if need be. Maximum possible profit!!
So here in Turkey our apartment is actually on the same floor as the modeling agency and the only thing that separates us from the agents is a bathroom. Talk about watching over us; they can just walk in and make sure we are here and not doing anything bad. But the apartment isn't too bad. It's two bedrooms, one full bath, one half bath, cozy kitchen, and a main space with a tv and video library. The kicker: there's 4 sets of bunk bed and a single bed all crammed in here. Plus, every girls suitcase. The lucky ones who got here first were able to hang their clothes in the whopping two wardrobes per room and as for the rest, well it's still in my suitcase. There is quite a lot of shelf space and a fridge in our room but my space has become my lil top bunk with baby ladder. Yes, I am currently on the top of a bunk bed from the 90's. That is a models apartment for you. Crammed, suitcases everywhere, and expensive!!
The amount they charge us for rent is unbelievable! It equals about $500 a month and times that by 7, and they own it, so this is all profit for them. The sucky thing is is that we had no choice. We don't know anyone in Turkey so where the hell are we suppose to stay. And I learned yesterday that apartments here are so freaking cheap; I would say this one rents out for around $400 maybe. So do the math.
It would be a dream come true if there was an agency out there that actually gave us fair prices for everything. We have to get comp cards, books, prints, put on the website, have to have a driver here, and other miscellaneous expenses that show up on our accounts. This is the part of the modeling world that people are trying to change, but honestly, you can really change the power of control here because there are way too many models and not enough are going to actually stand up. There are always going to be those ones that will work for cheaper so everyone has to work for cheaper. It's a dog eat dog world and luckily I'm American!! Us American girls get a little bit better rates (or atleast use to) and once we are done over here, we get to go back home to a great country with all the comforts and our rates raise when we come back. The more traveling you have under your belt along with the more tears and foreign photo shoots, the more your rate goes up which means more money for you and for the agent. But the country you go to has to do its job too, if they are getting you those shoots then boom out of there. Also, being American means we don't have to worry about visas as much. Now I did end up having to get one here but to get into America is so incredibly difficult for foreigners. They usually have to pay hundreds just to get into the country and plus the ticket over so I am sooo sooo happy I'm an American.
Well anywho that was just a snippit into what a model deals with when overseas. Small apartments and crazy expensives. Why do it? Because if it works out, then you can land some major money and shots that will benefit you in the American market. It seems crazy but what isn't crazy in this industry.
Talk soon! Spill more about Turkey some other day!
They are interesting to say the least! Crammed little apartments that smell of cigs and filled with bunk beds. The goal with the model apartment is to charge us girls as much as possible and have as many girls stay in it as physically possible. Even if they have to sleep on couches or make-shift beds, they will fit 9 girls in a tiny one bedroom apartment if need be. Maximum possible profit!!
So here in Turkey our apartment is actually on the same floor as the modeling agency and the only thing that separates us from the agents is a bathroom. Talk about watching over us; they can just walk in and make sure we are here and not doing anything bad. But the apartment isn't too bad. It's two bedrooms, one full bath, one half bath, cozy kitchen, and a main space with a tv and video library. The kicker: there's 4 sets of bunk bed and a single bed all crammed in here. Plus, every girls suitcase. The lucky ones who got here first were able to hang their clothes in the whopping two wardrobes per room and as for the rest, well it's still in my suitcase. There is quite a lot of shelf space and a fridge in our room but my space has become my lil top bunk with baby ladder. Yes, I am currently on the top of a bunk bed from the 90's. That is a models apartment for you. Crammed, suitcases everywhere, and expensive!!
The amount they charge us for rent is unbelievable! It equals about $500 a month and times that by 7, and they own it, so this is all profit for them. The sucky thing is is that we had no choice. We don't know anyone in Turkey so where the hell are we suppose to stay. And I learned yesterday that apartments here are so freaking cheap; I would say this one rents out for around $400 maybe. So do the math.
It would be a dream come true if there was an agency out there that actually gave us fair prices for everything. We have to get comp cards, books, prints, put on the website, have to have a driver here, and other miscellaneous expenses that show up on our accounts. This is the part of the modeling world that people are trying to change, but honestly, you can really change the power of control here because there are way too many models and not enough are going to actually stand up. There are always going to be those ones that will work for cheaper so everyone has to work for cheaper. It's a dog eat dog world and luckily I'm American!! Us American girls get a little bit better rates (or atleast use to) and once we are done over here, we get to go back home to a great country with all the comforts and our rates raise when we come back. The more traveling you have under your belt along with the more tears and foreign photo shoots, the more your rate goes up which means more money for you and for the agent. But the country you go to has to do its job too, if they are getting you those shoots then boom out of there. Also, being American means we don't have to worry about visas as much. Now I did end up having to get one here but to get into America is so incredibly difficult for foreigners. They usually have to pay hundreds just to get into the country and plus the ticket over so I am sooo sooo happy I'm an American.
Well anywho that was just a snippit into what a model deals with when overseas. Small apartments and crazy expensives. Why do it? Because if it works out, then you can land some major money and shots that will benefit you in the American market. It seems crazy but what isn't crazy in this industry.
Talk soon! Spill more about Turkey some other day!
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