War Zone

WOW o WOW I am so far behind on this blog. We are actually on day 11 but my blog is only at day 6. I'm only posting one per day (when I have a internet connection... and no world cup match to watch :{.

Day 6 Canakkale- Gallipoli

This morning begins with a departure from Bursa early in the morning and a trip along the Sea of Mariana (Northwest Turkey) to the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea. This whole area is lots of coastlines and hills. Very Beautiful.

As we have been traveling our guide, Oran, has been giving us background information about the areas where we travel and about many of the sites. I am not yet sure how much to believe (just kidding, Oran) but it's all very interesting while providing depth into the history and culture of Turkey.

Our sites today revolve around WWI and the invasion of the land by a combined force of Australian and New Zealand armies, under British command. These men fought against Ottoman (Turkish) forces  to control the Waterways that lead ultimately from the Atlantic Ocean to modern day Russia, Ukraine, and the Caucus region.  As many students of history know, controlling the methods of travel and the areas where fighting occurs is very important. This area could be compared to the Asia Minor version of Normandy but with less successful results.

The land has a serene and almost holy feel to it. The number of soldiers that fought and died on this land is depressing. You can see and probably walk in (I didn't) the trenches, which are only 2-3ft deep in places. And must have made for miserable living conditions. Soldiers if they stood up were likely to be shot by opposing forces. We stopped at several locations that day that connected to the fighting from this series of battles during WWI.

One of the sites had a statue of the oldest survivor from these battles (108 years old) holding his granddaughters had. The statue had such great joy to it like it was saying a message to his granddaughter and the children of Turkey that great sorrow happened in the past but peace and happiness can be the future.

Another stop was at a memorial dedicated to the fallen Australian and New Zealand soldiers. The post-WWI reformer of Turkey is quoted saying "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons." The leader's name is Mustafa Kemal, but he is called Atatürk which means father of Turks. He is still a very important national figure much like George Washington. You can find him in every city. He is on all of the currency bills and busts of him are a common site while walking the streets of big cities. In my opinion and with very limited knowledge  Atatürk made some great decisions as a reformer of the sultanate but his work is not yet done and another round of reforms is needed to make the Turkish society more equal.

The plan was to continue on to see the famed city of Troy (thanks Brad Pitt) and then head to the hotel for some much needed rest, but the trip and stops have taken too much time. Therefore we headed to the hotel which was like a small beach side resort in North Carolina. Down a short path brings you to the Dardanelles and some very refreshing saltwater.

Evening was spent with my cohorts on the balcony over looking the pine trees to the water. I also had my first true Turkish coffee and my fortune was read by our waiter and a Selma, a Turkish teacher from Istanbul who came along as a cultural guide and translator. There are good things in the near future although there will be some struggles. Real specific right? He was able to tell me the secret number I choose through reading the cup, though.

For your info: Turkish coffee is made with a special cup that is used as an individual boiler. The coffee is ground to a fine powder then is put into the cup (made of metal) and boiled. After it is at a rolling boil for 1minute you pour off the top layer then let it boil for a few more minutes. Pour directly into a mug and then let its it so that the grounds can settle. Drink slowly and let it settle often or else you get a mouthful of sandy coffee grounds.

To do the reading, after you finish drinking the coffee. Take the saucer and put it on top of the cup. Then flip them over together. After the cup cools you can read the remains (a lot of grounds stick inside of it). When the cup has been effectively read, pour the coffee from the saucer back in to the cup and then you can have the saucer read.

I think there are some regional differences because Selma to put some metal on top of the cup while it cools and the waiter seemed to scoff at this.