Today was a huge day. In the morning we stopped at the very ancient city of Troy before driving on to Gallipoli. Truthfully, Troy was a bit of a let down. It's only a small place now and it's mostly all overgrown however there is still quite a bit to see and the replica horse is pretty cool too.
We arrived at Gallipoli mid afternoon and already the crowds were starting to build up for tomorrows Anzac action. After being denied access to most places due to the preparations for tomorrow and deciding to bypass the rediculously long queue for the museum, we went down to Anzac Cove to set up camp for the night.
On the way we passed the place where the Anzac service used to be held. The memorial above is there and it reads as follows:
Those heroes that shed their blood
and lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
here in this country of ours
You the mothers,
who sent their sons from far away countries
wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons aswell.
and lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
here in this country of ours
You the mothers,
who sent their sons from far away countries
wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons aswell.
Ataturk 1934
As fortune would have it (or Buddah belly luck maybe) we scored a front row position right next to the Fanatics. After a brief wander round the area for some sight seeing and orientation of the loos and food stalls, we settled in for the long, cold night ahead...
To keep those of us who couldn't or wouldn't sleep occupied during the night there were various doco's shown as well as the Army and Navy Bands playing the hits of the early 1900's. This year they had a complete alcohol ban and the crowd seemed kinda subdued however you couldn't shake the eerie feeling lingering in the atmosphere. Snatching short kips here and there, I managed to accumulate a couple hours of light sleep, staying toasty warm inside my sleeping bag and wearing thermals, jumpers, jacket and beanie...
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