Late night Tea Time on the Roof

So I went to ask my neighbor who lives in one of the houses on the 4th floor of my apartment building about baking a cake for a friend who wanted one for a birthday party and somehow scored a free cake, and an invite to late night tea on the roof, because Turkish people are delightful and very charitable.

Turkish people LOVE tea. It’s called çay, (pronounced Chai) and they drink it at any time of the day.

A tea making device called Semaver

Now my friends already know how I feel about Turkish people, but for the sake of my readers I’ll share here. I have GLOWING recommendations. Honestly if you’re looking to travel and experience another culture for a couple years start with Turkey. You’ll have the time of your life.

I haven’t started to experience the sights yet, but the people are just amazing. They don’t speak much English, but they definitely speak nice. They’re very warm and kind and very very welcoming.

My neighbors came together to have tea on the roof tonight, and since I’m still learning Turkish I don’t know what they were celebrating, if anything. I think it’s just something they do from time to time.

Döruk really is the cutest little boy I know.

I’ve found that Turkish people generally live like family - their families are usually big, and they embrace living together as an extended family, so it’s common to find 3 generations in one home, but I’ve also found that in Arnavutköy where I live, they’re big on doing things together as neighbors - meals are shared and exchanged, the kids come out to play together in the evenings on the streets, barbecues on the pavement and things like that are some of the things I’ve encountered.

Turkish people also love nuts. I think it’s a staple to go with tea. They’re also really really big on sweets and desserts.

Tea and an assortment of nuts.

I also tried out Sunflower seeds which is something I think that Turkish people love as I’ve encountered it a couple of times and seen it in almost every store. I don’t like them much as I think they have a bitter aftertaste, but that’s a personal thing.

Sunflower Seeds are called Çekirdek in Turkçe

All in all I had a good time tonight. I would love to do it again.

Love, Yoma.