Walking through the Turkish Quarter, I checked my shopping list and at the top was “a fan.” How do you explain a fan to a non-English speaker? Fortunately, I’ve discovered, there is usually one person who can speak enough for translation. I employed my unique skills of pantomime to the
shop owner, who enlisted the help of his daughter. She sat behind the counter and pointed to an oscillating floor fan near the shop’s doorway. She explained I could buy one and assemble it.
Could I just buy this one? I queried.
She evaluated this option with her father. He said yes and quoted a price.
I paid.
He unplugged the fan, wrapped the cord around the neck of the fan, and held it out to me.
So it was that when I crossed the Marktplatz to head back to my hotel, I was the woman carrying the fan.
Georgia Confidential 