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| Tea Making Station |
The Dolmus slowed to a complete stop in front of the bus station. Whenever I wait for another bus the owner and employees interact with me. Please note that I am being less enthusiastic, try not to laugh as loudly, and smile less frequently. When you make and hold eye contact this can be misconstrued. Quite frankly? This is difficult—I like to make eye contact when people talk to me. Smiling at women is okay and I do this as much as I want! Especially in the market. But? This is encouraging to Turkish men in a way that I do not mean to be communicating!
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| Tea: Up close and personal! . |
Squishing into the Dolmus these past few weeks has been nice. Sitting close to people when your cold encourages body heat, and cars that are full are usually warmer. Unless someone throws up. That did not happen today, but I have experienced this before
Anyway, the owner and employees are nice. While I waited for my bus to come they made me a cup of tea. The hospitality here is really special. So I walked around their store drinking tea and meeting their newest employee: Buse (boos-ay) who is 20 and moved from a city to be with her boyfriend. She told me they were in a fight—at least I think this is what was said. Her English is a little worse than my Turkish—which isn’t great yet. Yet. I am hopeful!
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| Tea steeping on the work counter. |