Gazientep

Alternate black and white stones line the windows of the Kurtulus Camii mosque in Gazientep. This was the most noticeable architectural feature I saw as I walked around the outer wall. I eventually found an open gate and walked through. There was a good view of the minaret in the late evening sun and I took a couple of pictures. As I looked at
some further possible images through the viewfinder I gradually became aware of someone watching me. A man wearing a woolly hat and yellow Wellington boots smiled at me and said some words while pointing at a set of keys. I shook my head as I didn’t want to go inside. The man smiled, as did his companion who had materialized from behind a door. They were very friendly, smiling and muttering pleasant sounding words as I waved them goodbye.

I walked 300 metres to a local café, ‘Kadir Usta’, which specialized in kebabs and lahmacon, the local thin baked pizza which is eaten rolled-up. The place was filling up
quickly with locals, always a good sign from my point of view. I walked in and held up one finger to the waiter to show I was on my own. He indicated all the available tables
which were set for four people. I sat down and asked for a menu.

I decided to have a Beyran soup, a local meat soup with rice, chili peppers, and garlic. For main course I wanted an Ali Nazir kebab made with meat, yoghourt, and aubergines. I
was then brought a large freshly baked flatbread, a mixed salad, a parsley salad with lemon – to counteract the garlic – and a small bottle of water. All these were provided free of charge.

More locals came in including a woman who sat on her own and looked as though she was waiting for someone else who never came. The soup arrived in a metal bowl. The meat was lean and contained little fat. The chili stained parts of the bowl and the
overall taste was of meat and garlic combined. A family of father, daughter, and two older brothers sat down at the table nearest to me and while the brothers visited
the toilet, the father took his daughter to the display counter.
by the door so she could see what was available to eat.