[cs_content][cs_section bg_color=”rgb(136, 135, 136)” parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false” class=”cs-ta-center”]A Jovial, Bazaar Man[/x_custom_headline][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]By: Kenisha Leonhardt
October 23, 2017[/cs_text][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]Bülent is a larger-than-life small business owner in Izmir, Turkey, who sells local fruits and vegetables at the local market (pazar).
Bülent is a larger-than-life small business owner in Izmir, Turkey, who sells local fruits and vegetables at the local market (pazar).
Throughout Turkey there are open-air markets that pop up all over the city, selling anything from fresh fruits, vegetables, and cheese, to clothes, household items, and anything in between. The Bostanli Pazar (market) is the largest in the city of Izmir and opens for only one day each week: every Wednesday from 7 o' clock in the morning until 8 in the evening.
Bülent (left) and three of his eight siblings, including his brother Levent (in blue), own three stands at the Bostanli Pazar (market), selling local, seasonal fruits and vegetables.
As shoppers pass by, they are able to taste any of the produce before buying.
The western region of Turkey where the seaside city of Izmir is located is known for some of the most flavorful produce in the world.
All the pazar workers are like family because most of them, life Bülent (left) and his brother Levent, have been working at the market for decades.
Bülent and his family have owned their business in Izmir since they migrated from Macedonia when he was 10 years old.
There are more than 100 areas of the city where Bülent and his siblings negotiate to find the best goods to sell each day.
Bülent travels with his family to different parts of the city five days a week to set up shop at different markets with the freshest produce they can sell.
With every passing hour the produce gets picked through, and many of the prices lower significantly. This is when most of Izmir's residents come out to shop for the best deals.
Bülent is jovial and kind. He clearly loves his job and enjoys interacting with people throughout the pazar (market). He is pictured here with his sister Melahat.
As the day moves from morning to afternoon the market gets busier, and Bülent spends his time switching between the three family stands to offer help where needed.
Now in his 60s, Bülent still takes pride in his work after laboring 50 years to help provide for his family.
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