My Mission: 16 Countries in 6 Months

Tonight was a tasteful occasion. I convinced Hande, our Turkish teacher, to have Turkish lesson at a meyhane instead of at our flat. After painstaking hours of burdens of proof, cases, cross examinations, and rebuttals she final conceded that it was comparatively more advantageous to have Turkish lessons at a meyhane than at our flat. Debate surely paid off this time. A meyhane can be described, for those cultural connoisseurs, as a variant of the well-known Asian dim sum experience. Instead of push-carts loaded with various selections of foods, soups, deserts, and other unique items the meyhane servers bring around a large platter that is shown to the customer at the beginning of the meal. The guests then choose the mezes (may-zays) from the platter; however, the mezes on the platter are not the ones the guests eat. The ones on the platter are for display only. Here's a picture of us at the meyhane.How could I forget to mention the raki? At the meyhane it is customary to have raki with your meal, and usually your main course is fish. At this particular meyhane, I ordered 'fish on tile' which was some of the BEST fish I have ever had. I have yet to get accustomed to the taste of black liquorice (raki), but hopefully by the end of the trip I will have acquired the taste for this Turkish drink.