Over a Cup of Tea

by Chicky Marak (India)

Making a local connection Turkey

We get a gist of the Cappadocia and Ottoman empire when it comes to Turkey. There are many other things which intrigued me when I first landed in Izmit (a small town of Kocaeli province). I took a bus from the airport to another bus station, got down to eat something in a small restaurant which belongs to Enus Yilmaz, a person who has stood beside me more than a friend, less than a guide. It all started with a cup of tea and baklava (sweet dessert) they offered and our ways of connecting through google translation. Izmit is a small town with beautiful and good people. The only stumbling block is a language, although I could relate to them with more gestures and expressions. There used to be a “Speaking Cafe” where all the people gathered to learn English language. There I met Gamze, who became one of my closest acquaintances in a few days. We talked about her dreams, mental issues and how she wants to learn Spanish, over a cup of tea overlooking the Marmara sea. She hosted a dinner party with a finely made Turkish grounded coffee. She flipped the tiny cup leaving muddy sediments and read my fortune perceiving the figures on it. It somewhat came true as to my astonishment. I could spice up my travel diary when I met this young spunk gentleman. We’ve had all types of drinks and on top of it, my favourite go-to cuisine. A person with whom I can connect more on social issues linking our life experiences. I remember him with his convenient formal white shirt, he helped drive me off with my luggage when I had to leave Izmit for good. I knew this town had offered me a lot more than good pictures. That’s when I sat on a bus looking at the windmills through the window, and playing Russian song “Ay Ay Ay” on the way which was a trend in the city. Istanbul! The city of artists and cats. I met a couch-surfer who has a wonderful soul named Sinan. I’ve been to every possible Asian and European side with him. As it was the holiday season going on, we could commute in public transports for free. The best memories are going by a ferry and grabbing a bottle of beer with sunflower seeds as a snack (they are fond of it), and sitting beside the golden horn where folk musicians do more charm. The dorm I’ve lived is a unisex where I met Dong Kim. A Korean man who’s helping the Syrian refugees with his aromatic healing and kindness. We exchanged several topics and shared a good vibe. The only thing that remained unaccomplished is going for a Tango with him and tasting his Samyang noodles. When it’s time for me to go back to India, I said goodbye to him and all my comrades leaving a note in a small jar which says : “Keep up with the good deeds and you surely will get back in bundles” - Love, Chicky. On the way back, I took all my best recollection with me to India along with some souvenirs, a bottle of Raki and certain flavored Turkish tea. Sometimes you meet people in an expected ways and they become a part of one of your best moments. “A lot has happened over a tulip shaped glass of tea.”