Preparing My Tea

 

 

"Preparing My Tea" - Proprietor of the "snack bar" in the alley of the salt refinery in Kotwali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh prepares my drink. It is a small unpretentious establishment - tin/tarp roof, one shared wall with refinery building, no other walls and one rough wooden bench that seats three (four if one is not me) that provides tea, coffee, chips, and biscuits (cookies) catering to the local work force and ... occasional intrepid travelers. Dining is solely “al fresco”. The guy had a sense of humor. He handed me my tea and as I brought it up to drink he said “Salt! Salt!” After catching my reaction and everyone was laughing, he indicated no salt. When he was not looking, I slipped my lower plate out and hid it in my hand. I then exclaimed in pain and astonishment. He was startled and quite concerned as I revealed my lower mouth with just a single tooth. I told him that his tea had dissolved my teeth! Getting his astonished reaction, I smiled and put my plate that he had not seen back into my mouth. We all then enjoyed an even bigger laugh.