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
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