After drinking two cups of coffee and taking a steaming hot bath, I venture out. I know how to say How much? and I don't speak Turkish, sorry. I also have the numbers one through five (bir, iki, üç, dört, beş) and my address written on a sheet of paper, just in case I get lost or get prices all mixed up. I know where the store is, and the now the bakery. I can see the entrance to the market. This will have to be enough to get me by.
No, no, American, I say. English.
And they grin again and say, Ah, American. New York?
And again I laugh and say, as hickish as I can, Texas.
And they smile back and say, Ah, Texas.
Everyone knows Texas. Even in Istanbul.
As I buy my tomatoes and pomegranates, they launch back into their floods of gnarled-sounding words and fluid gestures. And I stand there with 5 Turkish Lyra in my hands, waiting for a good time to motion for my bag and repeat, Ne kadar? How much?
Inside the bakery, I decided on a simit and a round, golden loaf that I thought had cheese in it. (I don't have a sense of smell. Have I ever told y'all that? I can't smell anything and never have. So unless I can taste it, I have no clue what unfamiliar food is.) Anyway, the cheese turned out to be orange rind, but I didn't know that until I sat everything down along a low wall just off the street and settled back against an iron gate to enjoy my lunch.
And as it turned out, I had company. She tried to pretend she was interested in traffic and birds, but she wasn't.
I threw her part of my orange bread and said every Turkish word I knew to her in a really sweet voice. Eventually she came close enough to sit awhile and have lunch with me, there just off the street in Istanbul.
I crumbled the rest of the bread and trailed it around for the cat and her bird friends to have later. And I have to admit, it was one of the best lunches I've had in awhile.
I think we may even have to do it all again tomorrow. Same time, same place.
13 comments:
I don't remember how I first stumbled upon your blog, but I'm so enjoying the Istanbul posts!
Oh how I am enjoying your journey and your sharing "little windows" of Istanbul with us!
I agree with Kacey. I love your blog. I am currently living vicariously through you. Can't wait to hear about your next adventure.
tq tq for ur blog.tq 4 sharing ur journey with us.it gives mu undescribable joy to read ur adventure.tq.keep ur the excellent work
Beautiful! What a treat to enjoy Istanbul through your eyes, Brin!
These posts have been delicious...just wonderful...the sights, the colors, just wish you could describe the smells.
It appears that you are enjoying your time immensely. Bravo!
I love your blog and sharing your Turkish odyssey!
I MISS YOU!!! but i am glad you are enjoying yourself- come back whole again eh? i like the partial brin but the whole brin is the best! :)
Brin, thank you for sharing your adventure with us. It all sounds so romantic, and I love the pictures.
Did you take your new turkish tote with you? How's it holding up? I'm thinking about having a friend make one for me, from that same pattern.
I just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying your stories of your visit. You make it seem like I am there seeing and hearing what you are! Have a wonderful time!! Lisa in Texas = )
Oh my. I hadn't checked in awhile because you were out of town and then today there were 3 posts I hadn't read! So glad you took your computer. It's like a vacation without even going anywhere (for us readers, I mean).
I know what you mean about the language barrier. In Greece I was never sure what I was going to get when I ordered, but luckily many menus had pictures!
This is just soo...soooo cool! I love it! I say it everytime, but Thank you for sharing this with us. It is so enjoyable. I can't wait till the next one!!!
Be Safe : )
Rox
Post a Comment