Afiyet Olsun (Bon Appetit)!

I was strolling along the Bosphorus with my family. It was a quiet, peaceful morning in Istanbul. We walked past a group of about 20 to 30 somewhat older men who seemed to be out for an early morning swim (and smoke). They had a bunch of wood fires going on the rocks where some kind of cooking was underway. Seemed like a very nice way to enjoy the sunrise. As we walked past them, I heard someone calling for attention. When I looked, he was gesturing towards us. I have decent language skills but my command on Turkish is non-existent. I don't even know how to say 'yes' or 'no'. Good thing that wasn't a problem because the language of hospitality is universal. The gentleman was passing out fresh made lentil soup and Simit bread. I should've known better but the American in me took over: 'No Lira', I said. The man, unfazed, did not even bother to acknowledge. His simple response: afiyet olsun!

When you cross over from the 'West' to the 'East', two things shift immediately. Public bathroom stalls start to feature bidets and offer privacy. And the general life philosophy shifts from 'what can you do for me?' to 'what can I do for you?'.

From Istanbul, I continued my journey on to a place called Pakistan – where the very idea of the 'self' ceases to exist. You don't own your time, your space or your digestive tract. It's an entirely different way of being. But I will have to save that discussion for a different day.