Everyday, the coffee pot or dzezva is always being used. In little time multiple coffees can be made. Coffee is a way people bond and socialize in the Balkans. It is an important aspect of the culture. There are even traditions within coffee such as reading the cup in order to see the person’s future. With coffee, a lot of new friends and bonds can be made. Many of my friends and family shared happiness due to dzezvas. My mother would read the future of her friends and cousins who would come over almost every day. Due to the war, my family immigrated to the United States. In New York, there is a lot less free time for people. People are always working and do not necessarily have time to hang around with people and socialize. It’s even hard for people to create a whole new life and make friends in America if they just moved here. My family didn’t really know anybody. After spending some time here and working with a lot of people around them, they would invite co workers over. Some people would come and when they came, the coffee pot that was brought over would be used. My mom would for example, make coffee and when the person would finish, my mom would read their fortune. They would exchange in laughs and build a friendship. For those who didn’t drink coffee they would drink whatever they could drink and when my mom would finish, she would share her own fortune.The transition to America was hard but it happened. America felt like home due to the magical aluminum coffee pot. 

– Alen N.

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant