We have arrived Mardin on a hot day. We stood in front of the city. I looked amazedly at the stone houses lining in front of the castle. I was in front of a city completely different from all I have seen before. I fell into a strange feeling. I sat on the stone wall near the road, I took out my tripod, placed my camera and started to look at the city through the view finder. The sun almost set. The faces of the stone houses looking towards the west were painted gold. It was as if my eyes very painting on the canvas.

        There was a soft breeze. The leaves of the almond tree in front of me rustled. Pigeons flew towards the city. Pigeons met the kites, they wandered on the sky turning dark blue. The panaromic view in front of me started talking. I started noting down the words of the city. What I have felt were the first words of the city, I had to live, to talk with her. What I saw was the personality of the city. I gazed vacantly as if looking at an invaluable painting of the painter. I remained in front of the city till the lights were put on. When they were on, the castle also put on her necklace. It was like a diamond necklace on the neck of a beauty with fair skin. We were face to face. Just in front of each other. The city was looking at me like a pair of eyes looking at her lover. I could feel she had a lot to tell. I was wrapped by a magic I couldn't understand but could feel in my heart. A magic which was impossible to erease. I had to go into the streets of the city and listen to what was said. The city was going to talk. I loved her, she loved me too.
        I felt the love. The magic wasn't ereased, the love either... I went on visiting Mardin for five years. Sometimes in spring, sometimes in autumn, and sometimes in the heat of the summer... I added my essays to my photographs. This book was completed like that. Then, longing mixed to the love in my heart.Now, when somebody mentions Mardin, I say "I miss so much". When you know what has passed between us, you will also understand why you can't abandon this city...