Nihat Kahveci’s Trabzon adventures – 1

Ask for directions in Turkey and you’ll get answers with terrifying confidence and absolutely no scientific basis. “Four and a half minutes” remains one of Anatolia’s most ambitious transport estimates.

Milli takim and Besiktas legend Nihat Kahveci spends a chunk of interviews talking about the strange accidental comedy of everyday Turkish life; especially while travelling constantly with football teams.

One of his favourites: He lands in Trabzon and asks the locals how long it takes to get to the hotel.

The response?

“Dört buçuk dakika.”
(Four and a half minutes.)

Not four. Not five. Specifically four and a half.

Nihat says this kind of ultra-confident randomness is everywhere in Turkey and became part of the fun of travelling as a footballer.

Another example came when he phoned hotel reception asking for:

“İki çay… biri açık olsun.”
(Two teas, one light.)

The receptionist replies:

“Hangisi açık olacak abi?”
(Which one will be light, brother?)