Just before the sun came up on ANZAC Day, the MC began to tell the story of the soldiers being readied for the drop off on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The story is well known to us for its mismanagement and the poor decisions made by the English command. It would seem unbelievable that a person would knowingly follow and order which would take them to their death, so I guess we are very lucky never to have faced war.
The commentary was choreographed with lights that lit up first the water they came in on and then straight up the cliffs where the ANZACs had to climb. Very eerie. Then the music, speeches and singing came. We listened to John Key, who spoke very well and also spoke well about the Australians, then Tony Abbott who did mention us...a little. In fairness, we were totally Aussied out as we were overwhelmed 1:4. Even the souvenirs were for Aussies!
Last post was haunting, but I think we were so tired, the depth was a bit lost. When it was over, getting all the people out began a day of waiting. Moving thousands of people is tough and since I am involved in organizing events, I won't go into details. Suffice to say, I loved the walk from the beach up to Chunuk Bair, going up with the Aussies and being held up while their passes were scanned was a bit of a fag, but once past Lone Pine, the next 3 km was a great walk.
Our commemorative ceremony was about 2 pm, so we had time to relax and take in the views.
Worst thing- missing the curb and splating on the ground in front of a whole crowd.
Funniest things-
Ian, who is now known as Iron, because when you sound out his name with a Turkish accent, that is how it sounds and that is what he has been called all trip and our position during the ceremony....but I'm out of battery, so that will have to wait.
The commentary was choreographed with lights that lit up first the water they came in on and then straight up the cliffs where the ANZACs had to climb. Very eerie. Then the music, speeches and singing came. We listened to John Key, who spoke very well and also spoke well about the Australians, then Tony Abbott who did mention us...a little. In fairness, we were totally Aussied out as we were overwhelmed 1:4. Even the souvenirs were for Aussies!
Last post was haunting, but I think we were so tired, the depth was a bit lost. When it was over, getting all the people out began a day of waiting. Moving thousands of people is tough and since I am involved in organizing events, I won't go into details. Suffice to say, I loved the walk from the beach up to Chunuk Bair, going up with the Aussies and being held up while their passes were scanned was a bit of a fag, but once past Lone Pine, the next 3 km was a great walk.
Our commemorative ceremony was about 2 pm, so we had time to relax and take in the views.
Worst thing- missing the curb and splating on the ground in front of a whole crowd.
Funniest things-
Ian, who is now known as Iron, because when you sound out his name with a Turkish accent, that is how it sounds and that is what he has been called all trip and our position during the ceremony....but I'm out of battery, so that will have to wait.
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