Some Turkish friends strongly recommended a fish sandwich place in town. I was happy to learn that the place was only two minutes from where I stay, but from the outside, the popularity seemed overwhelming – the queue for placing orders was long, and there was another queue for the people who wanted to get seated. Trying to figure out how a new place works can be stressful, especially as an illiterate foreigner, but I didn’t hesitate much, anticipating the new experience. By pointing at a picture, placing an order went smoothly, but I had to wait for a long time until I was called. Every worker seemed busy and I was being pushed in multiple directions by the moving crowd while I was waiting. I decided to take an effective but often the only available approach: being a smiling and patient foreigner.
The man in charge of the hall, perhaps feeling sorry for the long wait or my lost look, made sure that I get a table. He led me to a table occupied by a single person, and that’s where I met Özgür. Now living on the Eastern side of Turkey, he came back to his hometown for a vacation. This unexpected introduction was so much enjoyable that we moved on to a cafe where we were joined by his friends.
Out of the multiple serendipitous encounters so far, this one will be remembered for a long time. And time and time again, I realize that communication is about exchanging energies, where the language plays an important role, yet it is not the whole picture.
with Özgür and friends
@ Çıtır Balık, Antalya, Turkey, January 26, 2020
