This post is about running errands with a baby in these parts of the world. One of the most interesting (in my opinion) aspects of Turkish culture is how turks love children. Young or old, male or female, poor or rich, they all love to stop and get a child to smile at them, they love to protect them from any evil they see, they love to give them anything sweet. Case in point:
On my way to the post office the other morning, Oliver and I were stopped at least 5 or 6 times:
- a young teenage boy stopped to make him smile and snapped a picture with his cell phone.
- a lady in her forties stopped us to pinch his chubby cheeks and threw about a thousand 'maşallah's' (a word they use constantly here to ward off evil) at us.
-at about the same time an old, well-intentioned man, stops to tell me I need to put some gloves on my son, because his hands are cold. Mind you, although it has been frigid cold around here, this was the warmest day we've had. Plus, O isn't as coordinated to put cheerios in his mouth when he is wearing gloves.
- two teenage girls pass us and I overhear them say (in a high-pitched-baby-talk): 'ai, what a cute baby!!!'
- a little girl, not much older than 8 years old, follows us around the store, and every time she gets a chance she waves at O. O, busy with his cheerios, lifts his head up on occasion and gives her a big grin. That makes her day.
Some days, the incessant requests to put more clothes on my baby, or to not carry him on the Ergo carrier, or to not get him out because is too cold, they can really wear on you. So much so that it makes me think twice before I leave the house with O. But most days, when I see how sociable my child has become, how he smiles at everyone, goes to everyone and just seeks to make eye contact with anyone he sees, I am thankful that I am raising my baby in a culture that embraces children so lovingly.
And just for kicks, check out the loving chubbiness of our little valentine:
 |
| I know this is kinda cheesy, but I just couldn't resist!!! |
2 comments:
aaaaaiiiiii those thigh rolls are the best thing gummie bears.
the other day chuck and i were leaving the house with our kids. i made it downstairs first with rachel and 2 little old ladies were instantly all over her saying how "ugly" she is. then chuck came down with lucas and it started them up all over again. their voices got even an octave higher and one said lady "oh, he is even uglier!" good thing that here in opposite world ugly means cute :). miss you!
Precious! Put it on FB!!
Post a Comment