Cousins' Dinner @ Sakız Restoran

When we changed our travel plans and moved our annual family visit from fall 2022 to spring, Mui's sister (Işıl) had already made plans to come to İzmir with her son, Kerim, and his family for the post-Ramadan holiday that we call Şeker Bayramı (known as Eid al-Fitr by Muslims around the world). So, on Friday, Mui and I moved to my mom's place to make room for them at Işıl's condo, where we usually stay during our visits to Turkey.

Işıl et al arrived this afternoon and after resting for a bit they joined us for dinner at Sakız Restoran on the waterfront. This was an opportunity for us to get together with Esin, one of their cousins, and her husband, Cenap.

This dinner has become a tradition in recent years. If they are in town, their other cousins often join in as well. But this year, one of them is in southern Turkey and the other came down with COVID-19 a few days ago, so it was just us this time.

As is always the case, the food was excellent ... the conversation boisterous and non-stop. A lovely evening was had by all.Read more