Van in the snow, coffee, and cold bones

the first thing i noticed was the cold. not the 'oh it's chilly' kind of cold, but the kind that gets in your bones and makes you question why you left the house. the kind that makes you wonder if you’ll ever feel your toes again. i’m talking about -5.13°c, and the 'feels like' is the same, so there’s no mercy here. i just checked and it’s -5.13°c there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.

i pulled into town, and the streets were quiet, the way they get when the weather is doing its best to freeze everything solid. the kind of quiet that makes you want to find the nearest cafe and just sit there until your fingers stop shaking. the air is thick with moisture, 82% humidity, so it’s not just cold, it’s damp cold, the kind that creeps in through your jacket and makes you wish you’d packed an extra layer.

i heard that the best coffee in town is at this little place on the corner, *Cafe Van, and let me tell you, it was worth every step in the cold. the barista had this look like he’d been up since 5am and had seen it all, but he still managed to make a latte that could warm the soul. i sat there for what felt like hours, just watching the snow fall and the world go by. if you get bored, Diyarbakır and Malatya are just a short drive away, and they’ve got their own kind of charm, though i’m not sure if they’re any warmer.

walking around, i kept thinking about how the cold changes everything. the way people move slower, the way the light hits the buildings differently, the way even the air feels heavier. someone told me that the best way to see the city is to just wander, and i have to agree. there’s something about getting lost in a place where the cold is so present, it almost feels like another character in the story.

i ended up at this little shop, Van’s Vintage Finds, and spent way too long looking at old postcards and maps. the owner was this older guy who kept telling me stories about the city, some of which i’m pretty sure were exaggerated, but hey, that’s half the fun. he said the best time to visit is in the summer, but i’m not so sure. there’s something about seeing a place in its rawest form, even if that means freezing your butt off.

if you’re thinking of visiting, just know that it’s not for the faint of heart. but if you’re up for it, there’s a certain kind of beauty in the cold, in the quiet, in the way a place like this can make you feel alive, even when you’re shivering. and if you do go, make sure you stop by Cafe Van* for that latte. it’s worth it, even if you have to thaw out afterward.

You might also be interested in:

• https://votoris.com/post/local-etiquette-and-traditions-how-not-to-offend-people-in-al-barah
• https://votoris.com/post/rustling-leaves-and-damp-socks-a-whirlwind-in-89570
• https://votoris.com/post/nanjing-a-city-thats-seen-too-much-and-ive-only-seen-a-little
• https://votoris.com/post/cebu-city-where-my-guitar-case-gets-a-workout-and-my-patience-tested
• https://votoris.com/post/ikares-hidden-pockets-where-families-chill-and-young-guns-hustle