Kiraathanesi for poor and homeless people

Last Sunday I visited, with one of my flatmates, two bars for homeless and poor people. The bars are also called Kiraathanesi. Before I went to such a bar I was expecting some dangerous or weird place with people who are isolated of the community. But happily after all, it wasn't anything like that. The people in those bars were very friendly and eager to get on the picture with me. They also liked to talk about their occupations in the bar. Such as playing games, have a betting or just have small talks about their past days.

On the following picture you see me with an owner of a Kiraathanesi. He loved to be on the picture with me. Later he also explained how to play Tavla (also known as Backgammon). Unexpectedly I even won the game.
These funny looking guys were playing the cards and they tried to explain how it works, but I couldn't exactly get the rules. When I asked who is winning, they both said 'I am'.


On the first Kiraathanesi I joined some gentlemen in front of the bar. Because it's not allowed to smoke inside, there are always people sitting outside.

These guys were betting on horses. They were arguing all the time which would be the best horse today. During their discussion they could make some time for a picture.

After a couple of teas and some traditional games I went home with a new experience in my pocket.