Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The simplicity of good things.

We turned down one of the small winding streets off Istiklal Caddesi and had supper at a small restaurant. Flat chargrilled bread with a dish of finely chopped tomatoes, chili, parsley, olive oil and pomegranate molasses.


Behind us there was a man sitting and cooking over a fire, underneath a big copper hood. We had minced lamb kebabs with crispy edges. Yoghurt, mint, grilled chilies - the long green ones. A beer each.


Piles of pomegranates everywhere. You stand and watch as they press a glassfull. It's dazzling.

If I had to make a sweeping first impression of the Turks: they are first and foremost friendly. Yes, some of the men stare. It was worse in Rome. They are a nation of fast walkers. I couldn't be happier.

5 comments:

Karen Bekker said...

I bet that flatbread tastes exactly as good as it looks......and the size of those pomegranates!

the sourcerer said...

and four bucks a piece!

Petro said...

Lily,
Ai, hoe verlang ek nou. Die kos is wonderlik. Granate en vye is my gunsteling vrugte. Hoe water my mond nie.
Kyk of jy my hart daar iewers sien...ek het hom in Istanbul verloor.

the sourcerer said...

Petro, my hart sal joune company hou wanneer ek hier waai...

Marie said...

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speechless