My knowledge of Istanbul before I came to Turkey was very limited. One day I read an article about Fener and Balat area and felt attracted by the buildings and nostalgic atmosphere.
Jews and Greeks used to reside in the areas before the population exchange. Now, Turkish people from central Anatolia flocked to Istanbul for work and occupied the buildings. Some of the buildings look a bit run-down. Doors locked down. Spirits down. Colorful as they look, the overal feeling is not so vibrant however.
I wanted to know about Istanbul other than tourist areas such as Sultanahmet, the old town. So I made up my mind to visit Fener and Balat alone. I cherish the chance very much. It helps me to understand Istanbul deeper. By reading the memoir by Orhan Pamuk, my memory of the area is now connected with the whole book. When I watched the movie, The Edge of Heaven, I was able to capture the what the director and the plot writer want the audience to see.
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