Today we stopped for lunch in the town of Didim, site of the ancient ruins of Didyma. The meal was a wonderful buffet of fried sea bass, chicken stew, rice, fresh salads, and cooked vegetables.
 |
Ruins of Didyma After we'd eaten our fill, the owner's wife went from table to table to collect the 10 Turkish Lira (about $6.75) from each one in the group. She was clearly agitated as she did so, and when she finished she declared—rather angrily—that 9 people had not paid. So, after much discussion (with our guide translating) I paid the final amount she claimed she was short: 60 lira. I hated losing 60 lira, especially since I knew all of us had paid, but such things happen in every country. But I hated even more that the students had come away from this delicious meal with negative feelings. The sun was shining on the ancient ruins across the street, the restaurant windows were open, two friendly cats roamed the dining room, and the sea bass was perfect! But all this magic was gone in a flash with her harsh accusations. About 10 minutes after leaving the restaurant, a student held out a hat, and inside the hat was 57 lira that the group had collected. They had actually “passed the hat" for me. They really are quite marvelous, these Austin College students. And I really am happy I get to travel with them. |
No comments:
Post a Comment