Gallipoli - Part 2

I think I just got up to the over night stay in the last post. It actually wasnt very cold by their standards. I had on a poly prop and hoodie with beanie and was alright in my sleeping bag. At night the grass areas looked like little bugs all in rows - sleeping bags. by 4.30am people were beginning to rise, and we ended up moving up into one of the stands, so at least we could sit, if not see. the dawn broke, with the sky lightning up from behind and the sea in front. the service wasnt as moving or sad as i thought - the most moving part was the two Maori ladies starting the service with a karakea - that was very emotional. The Auzzie PM was there , and our MP for veteran forein affairs or something. I thought J. Gillard spoke quite well, our one was more a show pony! there was deathly silence throughout, except for the National Anthems. After the service, every one then moved out, and up 1 and half KM track to Lone Pine, half way up the hill. Everyone was still dressed in their night woollies, and after about ten minutes there were continous groups of people at the side stripping off! Very big presecence of Medical staff and police up the track to make sure you were ok. From Lone Pine, the NZers had to then trek 3 more KM up hills to get to Chanuk Bair. On the way, there was time to reflect on how the soldiers did it, esp. looking down on the views and the steepness. there are some old trenches and cemetries on the way as well, so we stopped off and looked at some of the grave sites. Very emotional reading - some kids as young as 15! I must have looked puffed because some Turkish aide workers driving up the road to Chanuk Bar stopped and asked if we wanted a lift, so Dave and I got a ride for the rest of way! Yay! Our memorial is at the highest point, because we actually managed to hold it for a couple of days, with great loss of life before the Turks took it back again. This was a strange memorial, because right beside it, (a big steeple thing) was a huge statue of the Turkish commander who won the battle. app. he was very impressed with our bravery and courage. During our service, and we were at the front cause of our ride!) there was a big screen with the Auzzie ceremony at Lone Pine on, and then the big wigs from there came over to ours. So they had to sit through two. Ours was less formal, more Kiwi with a few laughs but still the main point was the futility of it all. As one speaker said, our boys were fighting for the 'Empire', bu the Turks were fighting for their land! and I dont blame them. there was constant thanks to the Turks for letting our two countries hold this ceremony year after year. the place is maintained by the Turks, and they certainly made sure security checks were thorough. We werent sure who actually paid for it, such as the staging, lighting, cleaning up etc, but it was obviously the Turks see this as a big PR exercise, with lots of tourist dollars ringing in the tills. (Over 200 buses were parked there!) Anyway I enjoyed our ceremony, the NZ band of 8 played and entertained the crowd, there were a few RSA veteren types there (in special seating) but not many. Less than I thought. Afterwards was a nightmare, with everyone trying to get out and join their tour group. We had to meet up with our Auzzie mates outside. It took 2 hours for the bus to come and load up, as they only allowed a few buses up the road at a time. Once on the bus, it was sleep! nana naps etc until we got to our hotel at a place 3 hours away! By the time we got there it was 8pm and we had tea and bed! for a very long sleep. (oh a shower was in their somewhere!) So that was oour Anzaac Day Exp. not as moving as I thought - some of the stories by the veterans on the overnight screen were emotional, however the spookiest part was after the main service and we were waiting for the crowds to move, so we went down onto the beach below. Then I could feel the boats landing, men being killed and so much blood the water was red - very spooky. All the speeches mentioned about this battle as being the defining starting point of our two nations as being independent countries away from the Empire. this seemed right, because we certainly werent commemorating victories by any means!