I woke up early on the morning of Monday, July 20, 2026. I was quite excited. There were two reasons for my excitement. First, it was the 52nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. When the operation took place, I had just moved from freshman to sophomore year of high school. It was a hot, oppressive summer. With all the excitement of my youth, I witnessed a historical day that morning, listening to the radio. For this reason, my excitement peaks every July 20.

The second reason for my excitement was that I would be meeting friends in Maltepe. A few days earlier, my esteemed elder and friend, Turgut Hacıefendioğlu, called me. He said that we would be Tekin Küçükali's guests at 3:00 PM on July 20. He asked if I would come. In accordance with the proverb 'Don't hesitate to go where you're invited, don't show up where you're not,' I accepted this invitation. Tekin Küçükali is someone I love, respect, and value. Conversing with him and being together makes me very happy. Furthermore, Mr. Tekin is full of grace and love, respectful, and appreciative. For this reason, it would be impossible not to accept such an invitation.

Ali Kemal Aydın told me that he would pick me up from the Bostancı traffic lights around half past two in the afternoon. Ali Kemal is my fellow townsman from Çaykara. His love and respect for his friends are like an inexhaustible waterfall. He cannot hide his feelings; he expresses them very openly. He never fails to show respect to his elders and love to his juniors. Mr. Ali Kemal was first going to pick up Mr. Turgut from Suadiye. I found a spot on the minibus route and started reading a book. When I learned that Mr. Ergin Kulaçoğlu was also in Bostancı, I called him to come to my location. After a while, Mr. Ergin came to me with his cane, walking slowly and with a smile that never left his face. I stood up and invited him in. We shook hands warmly. We exchanged pleasantries. He asked me to continue reading my book. His thoughtfulness is exceptional... Despite his advanced age, he goes out every day to meet his friends.

After waiting a bit, Mr. Ali Kemal arrived and stopped his car in front of us. We stood up. Mr. Turgut, as always, greeted us with a smiling face and complete sincerity. After getting into the car, we delved into a deep conversation. Soon after, we arrived at our meeting place, Sürmene Pide restaurant. Mr. Tekin greeted us standing. He seemed excited too. After exchanging pleasantries, we took our seats.

Soon after, the server from the eatery arrived. A cheerful, warm person. He asked what we would like to eat. Naturally, at a pide restaurant, one eats pide. We told him. Before that, cabbage soup with cornbread, an indispensable part of our region, arrived. When I crumbled the cornbread into the soup, the scent of home filled everywhere. In an instant, I was transported back to my childhood. Before we finished our soups, roasted pickled beans, cabbage rolls, and other appetizers arrived. Roasted pickled beans are among my favorite foods since childhood. Afterward, our minced meat and cheese pides were served with ayran.

While eating, we also delved into a deep conversation. Later, Prof. Dr. Necmi Kurt joined us, taking time out from his busy work schedule. Mr. Necmi is a general surgeon. He is a versatile, sincere, and friendly person. He is also one of my fellow townsmen from Çaykara, for whom I have great respect and affection. His joining our circle of friends made me very happy, as it did all our friends. With Dr. Necmi's arrival, our conversation became even more intense and profound.

The food was incredibly delicious... The service at the eatery was exceptional... All the staff were clean, attentive, and cheerful... Everywhere was sparkling clean... This place doesn't make you feel cramped. It's an airy place... Naturally, eating with friends adds even more flavor to everything. Mr. Tekin, Mr. Ergin, and Mr. Turgut are all from Sürmene...

When Ali Kemal Aydın meets his friends, he gifts them books and three-dimensional Atatürk pictures. This is a commendable gesture. He brought the Atatürk picture to Tekin Küçükali, who is the father of the eatery's owner. This was an admired gift. He also gave us all Doğan Cüceloğlu's book The Us Within Us as a memento. This habitual gesture made us very happy. In a society where not reading books is considered a skill, this behavior, which almost sanctifies books, is commendable.

It was almost evening. Every meeting has its parting. Reluctantly, we asked Mr. Tekin for permission to leave. It was a heartfelt farewell. The taste of the food lingered on our palates, and the pleasure of the conversation remained in our hearts. Sürmene Pide is a place that those whose path takes them to Maltepe should visit. There, you'll find friendship, deliciousness, and trust.

Indeed, is there anything more beautiful than friendship in this world?

                                                       

Adil Hacıömeroğlu