To be so close, yet so far away from the city  Istanbul - June.2011

They left their former village years ago, as it was to be replaced by a mass housing project, and moved to their new homes on the outskirts of the city. They continue to live in adjoining, 40 square-meter low-income apartments. They speak their indigenous language. Every family has painted their house a different color. Upon entering the house, you can see their colorful lives in every aspect. If you try to look from the outside, your prejudices may preclude you from seeing this colorful life. I met this neighborhood in 2006. The young girl running around the street on my first visit got married, has a child. Sahin, who was trying to play the toy clarinet in his hand, is now using a real one. He is following his brother's footsteps. If you ask how they make a living, I'd say everyone has a solution, ranging from playing music to recycling.

I was the guest of the most beautiful weddings in this neighborhood, which is a part of a metropolitan city. I watched the most beautiful dances young people do as they send their friends to a new life. You cannot see the henna nights elsewhere held in front of the lights of the big city, and the enthusiasm of street weddings held in front of recycling sacks. It is a separate ritual for the groom to shave in front of them while their friends are playing. While he is shaving, he is called to dance by his friends. After the dance is over, the barber continues where he left off. This goes on like this. The friends of the groom come up to the girl's house, dancing in the streets of the neighborhood, accompanied by music and songs. The bride is taken from the family home and delivered to the groom. Together, they walk down the streets of the neighborhood and come to their home under the envious glances of other single girls.

There is so much we can learn from this community with its unique and colorful culture. Perhaps the most important one is to learn to be happy with small things in today's complex world. How many of us can do that?