I have never drank so much tea in all my life! You always, always drink tea with 2+ big, fat sugar cubes...forget that sweet and low stuff. I actually have never seen sugar substitute in turkey. huh? Also it doesn't seem to matter what time of day it is...8 a.m. after you woke up or 5 a.m. and you still haven't gone to bed. Why not have another glass. Tea is very much a social thing. Total strangers will take you into their homes and insist on making you a cup of tea. Actually I would feel rude saying no. You drink tea at stores, the police station, school, and with just about every person you meet in turkey. The hand in this photo belongs to my beautiful friend Rahmi. He was my first friend in Turkey with a huge, pure, kind heart. My friend from Cali and I had just gotten to Istanbul and were staying at a hotel. He heard us speaking English and initiated conversation with us. He was with his adorable daughter and another kind friend. He took us under his wing...no questions asked. He feed us cheese and salami toasts and plenty of tea. He told me he drinks 20+ cups of tea a day. At first I thought it may be an exaggeration but no...very normal in the Turkey. Really...Wow! (he always says that in an adorable way). I feel very fortunate to be here in the turkey and to have met Rahmi. Mother you would approve(miss you mom and family!!!).
