We boarded our Turkish airlines flight and before we even took off, the flight attendants were handing out little Turkish delights! In the words of the cherry Englishman next to me "What a delight!" I immediately think how my Dad would appreciate this comment. This little morsel left us wanting more. More we would get once we reached Turkish land.
Istanbul airport was definitely not the most organised airport I have been too. The que was hideous and an hour later we made it through to the baggage carousel where we waited for the luggage we thought would have long been waiting for us to come past on the belt, it didn't come out. Our waiting was in vain and we realised this when Sarah went for a wander around the other side and saw our bags hanging out on the ground hence they weren't circulating on the belt.
Water and bathroom break, a couple of hours after landing we were now on our way to the metro! Dumping our bags at our hotels could not come soon enough. We notice very few other blondes around and in fact not a lot of women alone in general. We also notice the men are unashamed to stare and mutter things in Turkish as you pass by.
We part ways to check into our different hotels and make contact with the fellow Topdeck workmates in town and arrange to meet them at a bar in the old town of Istanbul. The sun went down quickly after I left my hotel and I suddenly had that feeling that maybe I should not be walking alone right now as the only other human spieces around was that of the male variety. I didn't see one other blonde and the only women I saw were with partners and mostly had head scarfs on. So naturally I tensed every muscle in my face to give my best effort at looking unapproachable, I quicken my pace and stare straight ahead avoiding eye contact - this proved embarrassing when I tripped twice along the way.
Every 10 steps someone would be approaching me asking if I'd like to buy something, asking where I was from, if I needed help, was I lost or would I marry them. It was unavoidable though as it is not safe for a girl to jump in a cab straight off the steet in Istanbul - it must be called by a hotel or restaurant/bar for your best chances not to have a dodgy driver. However I was quite ok and the walk got better when I caught my first glimpse of the Blue mosque and Aya Sofia.
The next morning a group of us Trip leaders were briefed on how our 4 day trips were to go. I managed to squeeze in a traditional Turkish kebab for lunch with Sarah and also my two really good friends, Hayley and Logan from New Zealand who also happened to be in Istanbul. By 2pm I was all set up in my hotel lobby to meet passengers until 6pm. I met my Turkish guide, Onur, who I would be working alongside then we had a meeting with all the passengers to run through our plan for the next few days. Once the admin was out of the way it was time to head out to sit on cushions at low tables to get to know each other, enjoy some Turkish cuisine and smoke some shisha.
Hitting the road just after 6am we were on our way to ANZAC cove on the Gallipoli peninsula of Turkey. We made fantastic time getting ourselves in a good position in the que and due to this privilege we had the consequence of a lot of waiting! It was a stunning, hot day and we had a nice shady area near the beach to spend the afternoon. Hundreds of young people gathered, playing hacky, lounging on hammocks and going for short walks would have been a visual contrast to the allied soldiers that 99 years earlier also occupied this beach front.
There was about a 3km walk between here and the entrance to ANZAC cove where the grand stands were set up for the service. This walk was beautiful. Before reaching the ANZAC cove entrance there were a couple of cemeteries that could be visited. One laying next to the beach. One was even right up high on a hill looking down over ANZAC cove.
By 6pm they opened the security gates and we all filed through to find a good possy for the night. Between the grand stands were grassy areas for those sleeping over to camp out. Myself and fellow Topdeck crew laid out our sleeping bags on the front right facing the stage. I was wowed by the scenery I was surrounded by. Behind me was sheer cliffs and in front of me was the stage with the most beautiful ocean backdrop. This beauty was emphasised as the sun fell. Photos simply don't do the setting justice. What rang through my thoughts was how something so ugly could happen somewhere so beautiful.
Topdeck crew all had 45 minute slots at certain points throughout the night on the info desk in case passengers needed assistance. Of course I got 2:45am through til 3:30am. I fell asleep about 1am, apparently missed the most amazing choir - although I swear I dreamt of angels singing. I woke at 2:30 feeling like I was floating away in some sort of crazy world and wasn't sure of where I was while an incredible symphony orchestra played pulled me out of sleep. Seeping into every part of me as I woke - the music that was playing was actually indescribable. I got up to get ready to take my turn at the post. Tip toeing over the sleeping bodies to make my way to clear ground and the info site.
Once I was up at 2:30 I was up for the day. So over the two nights I had had 2hrs and 15minutes sleep. Somehow still coping. The dawn service was an incredible moving experience. Follow if the service, everyone departed on the walk to either Lone Pine (Australian memorial service) or Chunuk Bair (New Zealand's memorial service. It was a bit like a pilgrimage walk the path that our soldiers once walked in battle. Sitting upon where many of their bones lay to pay respect to their bravery. Gazing out towards the Dardenelles, the strip of water on the other side of the peninsula and think how it must have felt to be one of those kiwi soldiers to reach this high ground and see this. I was able to do this walk and NZ service with one of my very best friends and her husband (Hayley and Logan who I mentioned earlier).
The rain held off till coach loading time, groups and groups of people huddled together as it poured and eagerly awaited their coach number to be called. We only waited about half an hour before we were on our way! Hurrah! Adrenalin pumping from such a busy and emotion filled time somehow I still did not nod off to sleep on the coach. I think knowing I had to push through for one more outing with the group before bed kept me going.
We had a nice terrace area for our Turkish cuisine and shisha tonight. When I got back to my room I lay on my bed and checked my phone. The next thing I knew my hotel phone was ringing and it was the Turkish guide asking whether he meets me in reception of breakfast room - right now! Argggh! It's 8:30am and I still have yesterday's make up and clothes on, fell asleep before setting an alarm, have to leave on Istanbul walking tour by 9am and had said to passengers I'd be around at breakfast from 8! Oops. Not to mention I hadn't packed my bag ready for check out yet! Mad stressful panicked rush, somehow all gets sorted and off we go - I just feel out of sorts in my head. Seems my lack of sleep finally caught up.
Relaxed over my last Turkish meal at lunch with other Topdeck crew after we farewelled our passengers before heading back to my hotel to repack for my flight. Couldn't help but go via the famous grand bazaar to pick up some more Turkish delight and a beautiful Turkish scarf!
All in all it was a whirlwind but an amazing experience that I was so honoured to have. I can't wait to get back to experience more Turkish delights!
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