02.24.12

      Out of everything I saw today, from the Grand Bazaar to the Egyptian Spice Market to the historical mosques, what had the most impact on me was a very simple sight. As we were going out this morning, I noticed a little girl, maybe ten years old, bundled in a ragged coat, seated by the entrance of the hostel, selling tissues. As I walked past, she stood up and imploringly said in Turkish, “madam, madam, would you like to buy tissues?” 

      Her face. Her eyes. I see them even now  as I write. This girl was born into poverty, cannot afford to go to school, has no future. She is trying to earn a living by selling tissues on a street corner. It sadly reminds me of the traditional Russian story of “The Little Match Girl.” Anyway, we continued past to the Grand Bazaar, and as we were walking on, my little brother was like, “we need to go back and give that girl money.” So we went all the way back to the hostel and gave her more than was worth for the tissues. As I walked back towards the Bazaar, I turned around and saw the little girl running joyfully to her mother (who had been selling across from her) to show her the money. 

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