Pilgrimage to ANZAC
Thursday, April 30, 2015
A true Pilgrimage
Monday, April 27, 2015
ANZAC Day
Friday, April 24, 2015
Awaiting ANZAC day
5 am and we are up and at um. Thinking back on this morning I am so pleased our tour had us up this early.
After a quick breakfast we loaded the bus and started the 4 hour journey to the Gallipoli peninsula. The landscape is so different to that of Australia or New Zealand. There is a love of high density multi level housing here. The quarter acre dream that we aspire to is not quite realized here. The valleys and scenery we passed was very impressive. The country is so green and inviting. We stopped for a break at a service station. Here I experienced something new, having to pay for the use of a toilet! I reckon the guy who maintained the toilet loved today as he made about 180 lira from our 4 tour buses. A good pay day for him.
After traveling through various checkpoints we made it to Gabe tepe. Here we waited, then waited and finally waited some more. Although this sounds bad, it actually wasn't. We got time to sit on the beach, talk to people from our tour or catch up on some sleep. Eventually we were released to walk to ANZAC Cove. We stopped at some of the Commonwealth cemeteries. These were especially moving. Seeing the names of soldiers, their ages and where they were from brought emotions bubbling to the surface.
Finally we made it to the main commemorative area. Here we laid out our sleeping bags and attempted to get some sleep. This was a lot harder than it looks as thousands of people were (and are) constantly arriving.
The time is now 1 am and there is 4 hours to go until the service starts. We are currently sitting and listening to different documentaries and speeches from various secondary school students.
It is a little overwhelming to think that the space that us as visitors now occupyis just above thousands of brave men from both sides who are at eternal rest.
Kia Kaha and God bless all of those young men.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Ogling at Old Istanbul
Yesterday started with a fantastic Mediterranean breakfast. I had my first and possibly last Turkish Coffee (was very sweet and very strong), and Bryan and I played the game of "What do you think this food contains?"All items had a unique taste. One thing that we have noticed about Istanbul, everyone always has a good breakfast, from little street cafes to all hotels offering a hearty breakfast to their guests.
Istanbul is very hilly, more so than we first expected. We have covered many kilometres up and down various inclines. However, you find gems along the way. Like yesterday, following the tramline (trams speed along and don't have obligations to stop at intersections or for people!) we came across the Hagia Sophia Museum. The Hagia Sophia translated means "Holy Wisdom". This is the third building of the Hagia Sophia. This one encompasses the two designs previously and builds upon them all. The history within the building is amazing. You can see the East Roman Christian Influence clearly. Paintings of Jesus adorn the walls, as well as portraits of John the Baptist and The Virgin Mary.
What was truly amazing was even in the 10th Century there were "Selfies". There were mosaics that consisted of Jesus being held by the Virgin Mary however they were also conveniently alongside others like the Emperor and Empress Komnenos and their son Alexios. What made it really interesting was the sign that stated the Emperor and family donated money to the Hagia Sophia. How much do you think it would cost now to be included in a selfie with Jesus?
The Hagia Sophia had amazing artworks and architecture. The mix between the Christian roots of its creation and the Islamic ties that now adorn it after the area was taken over following Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s (1451-1481) conquer in 1453 make it such an interesting place to visit. This mix eans the visitors who come to see it are from various cultures and religions as after the conquer Hagia Sophia was renovated into a mosque as it now stands today.
Following the experience of the Hagia Sophia, Bryan and I were treated to the truly cultural and traditional experience of Turkey. We were invited into a shop to buy a Turkish Rug.
The nice man who led us into his store, paid us both compliments and led us to the showroom. We were treated with apple tea and stories. After hearing that I was married, he turned his attention to Bryan. He offered him a carpet as well as a Turkish girl to marry. He even got the choice of what colour hair she had! However no deal was struck, all in good humour, Stav keeps her boyfriend Bryan; while all arranged marriage proceedings have been called off. To get out of the store, someone had to bite a bullet. It happened to be my wallet as I purchased a nice table runner, to go with our new table (Sara I really hope you like your gift!). This was probably the cheapest way out of a potentially stick situation.
The Grand Bazaar was the full on, not unlike the markets in Singapore or Thailand, there were lots of traders, selling various items. There was a lot of people and a lot of sales pitches. Most of the items repeated, however there were some interesting items for sale; like the traditional turkish instruments as well as various types of clothing. Bryan purchased a jacket, however to find one his size we had to venture into the showroom, this consisted of going behind the counter and climbing down to an underground area where you felt somewhat obliged to purchase. They were very helpful and friendly, as we both found out. When a particular style of jacket did not fit Bryan, one of the employees was off to a different location to get one. I too had an experience similar, where a pair of jeans I purchased were too long. The shop assistant ordered tea which arrived in a couple of minutes bustled in by some market orderly. While drinking the owner of the store took my pants to the tailors and had them all sewn up. Service with a smile!
The Spice market was amazing. All different smells and tastes. We purchased yummy Turkish Delight while sampling different teas and spices used in traditional cooking.
We feel we have walked most of the "Old Istanbul" by now. Even today we found ourselves in a long walk by the sea side in a truly local community. Even the taxis were touting to pick us up, on we walked though. Eventually making it to the Blue Mosque. This was the first time I had been into an Islamic Temple. We followed all of the correct customs and politely and respectfully made our way through and marvelled at the architecture of such an old place of Worship.
We have seen so many great sites over the past two days, however I think I have seen one of the worst. It came to me as we were looking for somewhere to eat dinner, after 10.30pm. Walking along the main road we passed a young mother sitting on the footpath with her young (around 1 year old) child. This really got to me as they looked me straight in the eyes with their cold expression, they shouldn't be there. Money couldn't just fix this scenario though, as it was all around. It made me think of all of the wonderful things that we have in our society of Australia and New Zealand. We take for granted the social structures we have in place to assist us. In reality though, not everyone has access to this around the world. Seeing this young lady with her child made me think instantly of Sara in Bendigo with our two children Lachlan and Brodie. I would hate to see them in this situation. We have a lot of wealth in this world, but there is still desolation and poverty. Will this ever be fixed? Can it be fixed? Or in some people's view in relation to the spiralling population of this Earth, should it be fixed?
As a Catholic I believe Jesus lived and died for us to show us the way that we can be an ideal citizen of this world, He showed compassion and understanding for all around him. Much the same as in recent history our fore-bearers took up arms to protect what we hold most dear in our country, our freedom, our freedom to choose a life of our own, a freedom to help others and make something of ourselves. Those soldiers we commemorate in two days time (as well as others post WW1) paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we had a right to freedom. My question is: how are we now repaying that favour?
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Making our way to Istanbul
What a journey 23 hours after leaving Melbourne, Bryan and I have made it to our hotel.
This was my first trip to Europe. I know I was nervous about flying a long haul flight. However not as nervous as the young lads we have ventured over here to remember. What it must have been like leaving Albany on the "Adventure of a lifetime". Their long trip on a troop ship must have been the longest those boys and girls (female nurses) must have been on. I thought my 16 hour flight to Doha was bad.
However the first leg went well, the landing left a bit to be desired though! Doha airport was amazing. Very clean, friendly and lots to see. The 4 hour stop over went so fast.
While there I took a couple of pics that reminded me of Melbourne on a hazy summer's day.
Our connecting flight to Istanbul went off without a hitch. Istanbul is a massive city. My expectations of a large city have been blown.
Talking about blown, the journey from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to our hotel is one that will stay in my memory forever. I have never been in a vehicle that traveled so fast, never indicated and merged by pushing in to what ever gap on the freeway he wanted.
The worst bit was, every other driver on the road was doing the same! There is so much going on all of the time on these roads. I thought the Bolte bridge in Melbourne was bad.
Everyone has a job though. Even in a traffic jam, food and drink can be purchased. There were these brave vendors who have food piled on long poles to feed truckies, boxes of sweets and water could also be purchased. The food available is amazing, I imagine the first ANZAC's thoughts when they arrived in these distant ports. They would not have had previous experiences they could relate to.
Our transfer to our hotel got even worse at one point. Our driver stopped and aid that he had a call from his office and he had to return. He pulled over and said that this guy will now take you to your hotel. This appeared to be the start of a very real horror movie, starring me and my friend. However we were not mugged, we were not injured, what we were treated to was an exhibition of what a formula one driver can drive like. Ross older Turkish gentlemen flew through the inner city streets, giving us advice about shops, traffic and how to deal with people asking for money on the streets.
He got us to our hotel with a minimum of tooting horns. Our journey from the airport to the hotel equated to 50 km and it took us two hours! So all up from Melbourne to bed in a comfortable Istanbul hotel 23 hours.
This place looks sounds and smells so exciting, the people that we have met have been so friendly. They know why we are here and they respect our journey and we respect their country, culture and people. Just as the early ANZAC's respected their Turkish foe.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Karakia for Taonga
God Bless
My privilege!
From the Sandhurst diocese, I am taking an Indigenous Journey Stone, to represent the journey the soldiers of Central Victoria took to get to the shores of Gallipoli.
I am also carrying with me a crucifix from the diocese. The spirituality of the soldiers who fought in these battles was very high. There were a large number of Catholics. This crucifix helps us to remember their Christian faith
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From St Liborius Primary School I am very excited and privileged to take with me two items that the Student Social Justice Team handed to me last Friday at assembly.
They were a set of Mary MacKillop Rosary Beads and a Journal.
All of the students and teachers at St Liborius Primary School have signed this Journal and some have written some very heart felt messages to the soldiers of Gallipoli.
Parents of our students have also written messages of thanks for the soldier's sacrifices. This is a very powerful item. There were so many soldiers who journaled their time at war. Now as they rest they have messages from us, grateful citizens of Australia and New Zealand 2015.