The Benevolent Sandal Brusher Offers no Tea

Turks are known for their hospitality, and so far my time here has proven the legend true.

There was the bald sixty year old man that owned the restaurant I ate at last night. Today, when I walked by his restaurant, he invited me to have some apple tea. Not pay for it, mind you, just sit in his restaurant and have some tea.

There was guy who stopped me outside of the Blue Mosque to try to sell me a carpet. His name was Goakan. Goakan? I asked. Yes, like the pickle, he said. Ohhhh.... Gherkin. He invited me to have tea at his shop, despite my repeated assertions that a floor length Turkish carpet would not fit in my budget or backpack.

Then there was a shoeshine guy on the square here in Sultanahmet, where I am staying. I was sitting on a bench with this guy from Australia that I've met here. The shoeshiner came up and asked if he wanted a shine. I looked at his feet... he was wearing Teva sandals. They are very dirty, he said, maybe I should just brush them clean for you? Just a little bit? Sadly, my Australian friend said no, so the disappointed Benevolent Sandal Brusher just sidled away. He didn't offer us tea.