Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Afternoon Stroll
By Lia of the Yum Yum Café blog
The sun is shinning: a miracle after weeks of raining, miserable, grey weather. It takes exactly one morning of sunshine to put smiles back on the faces of people. I wander around town, from one place to another doing chores - pick up a DVD (Hot Fuzz), a quick stop at the cash automat, drop off a book at a friend’s place and buy vegetables for this evening’s dinner.
Buying vegetables is always last on my list. I know the owner, Nuia, of the shop. Actually, I’m not sure she’s the owner; she runs the shop. Her father does the product purchasing at the distribution centre at Hamburg’s harbour. Her mother makes and bakes Turkish specialities, which Nuia sells with the fresh fruits, vegetables and a selection of Turkish and Arabic dry goods.
If Nuia is not busy, we sit in the corner of a storage room across the hall from the shop and drink together a glass of tea or some “drink yoghurt”. The storage room’s door is always open, so when someone comes into the shop, Nuia wanders over, serves the customer, and then comes back and sits at the table with me without the slightest blip in our conversation.
Her sister, husband and young children live in one apartment above the shop. Her parents and Nuia’s younger brother live on the floor above that. Nuia and her teenage daughter on the top floor.
This afternoon, while Nuia and I sit and drink a cup of tea, her father comes in and I am formally introduced to him in Turkish. I answer back formally in German. I must have passed some test for ten minutes later, Nuia’s younger brother comes down and mans the shop for a half an hour. Nuia and I luxuriate in some uninterrupted conversation.
After a half-an-hour, the brother quietly, wordlessly goes back up to his parents’ and his apartment. Nuia and I quietly, wordlessly get up and go over to the shop. I buy my vegetables, thank her for the tea, and stroll on back home under the late afternoon sun.
Posted by Ronni Bennett at 02:30 AM | Permalink | Email this post
Comments
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What a nice story, Lia.
Yes, it was all understood without anyone saying a word. You had passed the test with Nuia's Father and he was delighted that she had the chance to take a break and spend time with you,uninterrupted by customers.
But, HE set the time limit. I hope you and Nuia have the chance to have a chat again soon. I have a feeling you will.....
Posted by: Nancy | Tuesday, 11 March 2008 at 05:37 AM
What fun. You give us this moment of peace and friendship. Lovely.....thank you.
Posted by: Mage Bailey | Tuesday, 11 March 2008 at 01:00 PM
This story was a pleasant read. We all understand rush and hurry. This offering is like the garnish on the dish of a gourmet day; quite appealing. Thanks for the serving.
Posted by: Herm | Tuesday, 11 March 2008 at 08:44 PM