Troy and Victory Day

Sorry for the double post but time is running away each day.

Thursday



This is situated in Cannakale city.  Froie and the movie 'Troy'
and donated byt the Japanese company that made it.



We rose early to board the 6.00am bus to Canakkale.  The drive out of the city seemed to take forever but eventually we reached the outskirts.  Treeless plains seemed to stretch to the horizon and intermittently the rural aspect was interrupted by more heavily built up areas that the locals refer to as ‘villages’.  We will show them what a village really looks like when they come over.  We stopped for breakfast at Tekidag and you can guess what was on the menu.  We seemed to be travelling well but we couldn’t determine how far away we were as the road signs indicating the distance to our destination seemed to change all the time.  Long straight stretches of road seemed to make it go faster.  We arrived in Canakkale and continued on to Troy having picked up our English speaking guide in the city.  Troy was quite a treat.  No doubt Brad Pitt and Eric Bana have done quite a bit to increase the romanticism of this place but it was a special place nonetheless.  We walked amongst ruins that are 5000 years old and I had to pinch myself a few times to remind myself of the significance of this historical site.



The Odeon at the ruins of Troy.  Patch is sitting where the king
would have sat.



We tracked back to Canakkale and arrived at our hotel (the Grand Anzac) and the teachers were relieved to be informed that they had their own rooms with all the trimmings.  It was quite a luxury for us although 852 TV channels of which about 842 were non-English was a bit much to bear.

Australia’s ambassador to Turkey, Ian Biggs, accepted our invitation for a visit and he was chuffed to meet the students.  I think he was of the opinion it was only to be a few students and was surprised to be talking to 30 of them. 

Friday

The huge monolith.  Look at the size of it
compared to the people on the ground.

We were informed early that today was going to be a long day.  It was a very long day but in many respects, worth the wait.  We travelled to the end of the peninsula where the Dardenelles strait lies.  The Turks have erected this gigantic monument which defies belief.  We didn’t know what to expect but we guessed it was going to be big because military security seemed to be stationed at every stop way along the peninsula road.  It seemed to be one big chaotic affair when we arrived with people heading in every possible direction.  The venue had so many uniformed military personnel of every persuasion that we began to wonder what was going to eventuate.  A long 4 ½ wait was what eventuated and the students were magnificent.  I think they defied their generation with the patience and fortitude they showed today.  After the wait we were treated to a show and a half.   The Turkish Prime minister arrived (by helicopter mind you) and gave his speech, we stood as the Turks sang their national anthem and then we all started moving off toward the monument.  What occurred next was surreal.  The crowd witnessed an awesome air show with helicopters and jets doing fly-bys and people generally walking around taking photos.  This is their Victory day but whereas on ANZAC day we pay tribute to the lives given, this means so much more to them.  This victory was in many respects the foundation of their struggle for independence.

One of the fly overs.  Maybe Dad can
tell us what they are?

 It is also clearly evident that they love Australians.  Whilst many were getting photos with old Turkish Mehmets dressed in traditional clothing, the most popular attraction was an Australian military dignitary who was attired in full military dress.  He was more popular than Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.  Talking with our Guide yesterday, he said that Australians were loved in this part of the world because of what they share at Gallipoli.  Both countries were compelled by other nations to fight their wars and because of this there is a strong affinity.  Apparently, for some particular commemoration, Australia and NZ were invited by Turkey to attend.  Great Britain wanted in on it and Turkey politely declined.  There is still some sentiment felt in that respect and I can understand why.  After all, to them, we were the invaders.

Tonight I was in for an unforgettable experience.  Metin’s team (Fenerbache) was playing Galatasaray (Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill’s team) and he secured some space at a café where they game was being shown live on TV.  Talk about passion.  It is not hard to get infected by it all and I took upng backi the Aussie team whilst Metin showed his one eye support for Fenerbache.  It was a game for the ages and I enjoyed every minute.  Fenerbache won 2-1 which was a good thing because at one stage Metin had picked up a chair and I thought he was gonna toss it.  And that was after his team scored a goal.  Not being a soccer fan, I could see why they are so passionate but give me AFL any day.