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A Stroll Through Istanbul - Part 2

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  • A Stroll Through Istanbul - Part 2

    A STROLL THROUGH ISTANBUL - PART 2
    Ani Hovhannisyan

    http://hetq.am/eng/articles/20046/a-stroll-through-istanbul-%E2%80%93-part-2.html
    11:35, October 31, 2012

    Residents of the Kumkapı neighbourhood of Istanbul regard Anahit as
    one of the oldest and best traders around.

    Fifteen years ago she sold her apartment in Yerevan and moved to
    Istanbul with dreams of striking it rich and enjoying the good life.

    She's now 70; alone and tired.

    In pursuit of a better life overseas, the family has split up. Anahit
    hasn't seen her children, now living in Russia, for many years.

    "We only talk on Skype. That's how we stay in touch. Where can I go
    at my age," Anahit says, assuring me that she has many friends in
    Istanbul to keep her company.

    Since she's an old-timer, Ano watches out and cares for those who
    have recently migrated from Armenia. But she complains that the
    newcomers have cheated her in return. "They come here. I gave them
    stuff to sell but they never paid me back. They cheated me out of
    $28,000. They cheat the Turkish families they work for as well. No
    wonder there's a backlash here against us."

    All that Ano has left to her name is a small table from which she
    sells her assorted Russian food items. She just sells enough to get
    by from day to day.

    Her cell phone is always in her hand. Ano says her girlfriends back
    in Armenia are always calling.

    "They call to tell me that they are planning to come to Istanbul
    to work. When I tell them not to bother, that the streets aren't
    paved with gold, they think that I am trying to make all the money
    by myself. They won't be dissuaded so let them come and see for
    themselves."

    Presently, Ano is sharing an apartment with two women just arrived
    from Armenia. She says that despite the unpleasant experiences of
    the past, it's tough for her to turn down a fellow Armenian in need.

    "What would you have me do? Throw them out on the street? So I put
    them up until they can find a place of their own. So many are coming,
    and with the kids. They come here and have more kids," Anahit tells me.

    During our street-side conversation, many of the passersby say hello
    to Anahit in Armenian. The woman, a native of Gyumri, has made many
    Armenian, Turkish and Kurdish friends over the years.

    "We even teach the Turks some Armenian. Everyone knows me. I've really
    settled in. Even though we know each other, they tried to burgle my
    apartment. They were Armenians. It was at night. One came in through
    the door, another through a window. I woke up, took the rolling pin
    from under my pillow, and frightened them off. I later found out that
    they were arrested for something else."

    Anahit has no desire to return to Armenia. She can't imagine how she
    would live there.

    "If I went back, no one would let me set up a sales table on the
    street like I do here. They'd come and force me to pay taxes and a
    business fee before forcing me to move. No one bothers me here. I
    sell my wares without trouble. If I went to Armenia and wasn't able
    to sit down and make some money, I'd die. Do you want me to come to
    Armenia and die," Anahit asks.

    P.S. Hetq has shot a film of Anahit and others from Armenia now
    working in Istanbul. We will present it to our readers after this
    series of articles entitled "A Trip through Istanbul" has ended.

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