This week Pegman takes us to Taşlıçay, Ağrı, Turkey. You’re welcome to mine street view and photo spheres anywhere within its borders to write your story. The Pegman challenge is to write 150 words or less inspired by the prompt.
As always, a hearty thank you to Karen and Josh for facilitating the fun.
I didn’t exactly go to Turkey with my story but there is a link to it in my story. 😉
Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 150
TURKISH DELIGHT
At first glance, Mediterranean Market, with its dusty shelves, cheap souvenirs and a calendar on the wall above the cash register didn’t look like much.
The smoky baba ghanoush and succulent kabobs more than compensated for the lack of atmosphere. And who could resist flaky crusted Spanakopita stuffed with spinach?
As much as the cuisine, I enjoyed co-owners Jihan and Sinan who loved to reminisce about the homeland they had left several years before.
With a faraway look, Jihan would smile. “I miss the mountains and my mother.”
Sinan, the more outgoing of the two brothers, would serve friendly chatter along with strong Turkish tea. His slicked black hair curled just below his ears and his huge eyes never quite went the same direction.
“Best meal ever,” I told him every time.
With a wave of his hands, he’d prance around and reply, “When the womens is heppy, everybody’s heppy.”
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I wish I’d thought to take pictures of Jihan and Sinan in all of the many times Cuz Kent and I spent three hour lunches plotting plays and laughing until we cried. The guys are still around but have closed the shop. My taste buds ache with longing.
A lovely slice of life, Rochelle! I can almost taste your story. And I love the eyes that never quite look in the same direction.
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Dear Penny,
I’m glad you liked my descriptions. It’s hard to describe someone who’s wall-eyed. 😉 I’m very hungry myself after writing this. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story of fond memories. They did have some great food. Even if it wasn’t my favorite fare. They were fun.
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Always my favorite. 🙂 Thanks for the comment, m’luv.
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My wife frequently shops at the local Asian and Mediterranean markets. She loves middle eastern cooking.
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Thank for reading, James. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You make also me wish this place was still open!!!
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I really miss it…and them, Frances. 😀
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Dear Rochelle,
Such a lovely memory to share with us. Things come and go but our memories keep them around…
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I just read that they closed 6 years ago. Doesn’t seem possible. Kent and I wrote and rewrote a play there. Of course it would take an hour of just quoting movies and moldy jokes before ever getting down to business. One night we were there so late that Jihan came to our table and help up the keys. Told us to lock up on our way out. Glad you enjoyed the memory as much as I enjoyed recounting it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is fantabulous!!
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Wonderful story, Rochelle. I had a Turkish neighbor named Turul. He invited me to his tiny apartment for coffee, an experience I never forgot. Up to that point, I had considered coffee to be a liquid one drinks in the morning. His version was somewhere between a sacrament and a meal. I’ve loved strong coffee ever since.
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Dear Josh,
Turkish tea and Turkish coffee are amazing, aren’t they. Spoiled me on wimpy light roast for good. As I said, I miss the guys as much as I miss their amazing cooking. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely memory. Thanks for bringing these two men and their shop to life for us. Masterfully done!
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Dear Karen,
When I chose to write about the guys and their shop it sounded more like an article out of a food magazine. I almost chucked the whole thing. I’m happy that I didn’t and that it came across the way I intended. Thank you for taking the time from your vacation to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Mm, you have my mouth watering with those descriptions! And what a warm memory — thank you for sharing it.
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Dear Joy,
Fair enough. My mouth was watering as I wrote. I’m glad you enjoyed the memory.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I echo the comments above. Like the title, too. I wasnt disappointed that no candy was involved. Much. 😊
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Dear Andrea,
I’m pleased you liked my title. Actually the candy…or rather, eye-candy was Jihan. He was a cutie. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Smart man! He knows it’s a storm when the woman isn’t happy. I find it hard to imagine a man with big eyes. He either ends up looking owlish or beautiful. And I’m not sure how to process that. 😀 It is well.
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Dear Ade-Oluwa,
Actually both of the guys had unusually big eyes. And Sinan was wall-eyed besides so you never were quite sure which one was looking at your. He reminded me a lot of comedian Marty Feldman. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Feldman. At any rate I miss those two men. Great cooks who provided entertainment with the delicious food.
Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A warm and friendly remembrance well written, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. Glad you enjoyed. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can feel that longing in your story, Rochelle, for fine food, for good company, for better times. A mouth-watering flash which hits me… right there.
Shalom
Kelvin
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Dear Kelvin,
Glad to hit you…right there. 😉 It made me hungry to write. That place had a character all its own. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your lovely story is a delight Rochelle ! I can imagine being in the Market with Jihan and Sinan. What a treat.
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Thank for for your wonderful, comment, Francine. Those guys were fun and half the reason we kept going back. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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WEll, I fell in love with Sinan the minute you mentioned his slicked black hair curled just below his ears and his huge eyes. This line is a delightful touch, “I miss the mountains and my mother.” You must have had so much fun listening to the stories. Thanks for sharing a bit of your past. Lish
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Dear Lish,
I’ve no doubt you’d have fallen in love with both of them in person. They’re adorable. It was fun to take a walk backward in time a few years. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Certainly sounds like a delightful place 🙂
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It was a delightful place in more ways than one. Thank you, Bernadette. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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