Unlike last Saturday’s spit and miss weather, today is a perfect day for market. Because it’s a long weekend, and in some cases perhaps because people have gone away for a Christmas and New Year’s break, there are fewer stalls and fewer buyers, but still cheerful and some bargains to be had. English vendors tend to be selling on behalf of charities whereas Turkish speakers appear to be entrepreneurs, selling anything from used clothes to high tack kitsch to fruit and nuts. We buy a kilo of peanuts from the fruit and nut seller, as well as half a kilo of dried apricots and a couple of heads of garlic - obviously local as much of the garlic is braided. He’s an enthusiast, throwing in an extra handful of nuts and one of fruit. Then a half dozen oranges followed by three apples. Extra smiles. Good thing we brought the backpack.
Buy a jar of honey from an old man with five jars for sale. Purports to be wild flower honey. The man, who doesn’t speak English, points to the label with picture of flowers and identification in both English and Turkish.
Final stop at the second hand book stall. Run by Caroline (our Blue Song acquaintance) and another woman. It’s an extensive display in support of animal rescue, impressive for quality as well as volume - and we leave a half dozen books heavier.
Back home honey proves to be every bit as good as hoped. And international gold prize winner.
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