Aussies, Aussies, Aussies...

Apparently the weekend before our spring break was an event called Anzac Day. It is a day where many of the later generations of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Gallipoli in WWI come back to honor the fallen heroes, and to give their respects. The two primary groups of people who come to this event are Autralians (Aussies) and New Zealanders who see the battles in their history as a part of their national identity. Therefore Istanbul was packed full of pilgrims from Australia coming to honor the dead. The tourist season is now fast approaching Turkiye. Typically I don't like all the tourists because I constantly get mistaken as one. I feel I must correct the record. I am an official resident of Turkiye that lives and works in Istanbul. I have celebrated local festivities, I have included myself into Turkish culture, and I have fully imersed myself for the time being into Turkiye. However, I love the backpackers that travel through.

One such backpacker that I know, Annika, just so happens to be the Aussie I met in Greece. Basically I spent an entire morning and afternoon with her on the Thursday before I left that very night. It was fun. We met up the night before for a drink and conversation. I learned a great deal from her. I learned all the ways of getting around Europe fairly cheaply, and how to bypass certain obstacles. For instance, I learned about the Europass, cheap flight tickets throughout Europe (Ryan Air), couch surfing, and produce stand eating.

The next day, I met up with her in Gulhane and introduced her to my good friend Huseyin. He wined, and dined us like always told some of his crazy stories, introduced Annika to the world of Turkish carpets, and to the ways of bartering around Istanbul. It was a fun day. She got the rare treat of Huseyin, and I recieved interesting company in return. After we left Huseyin's, we went to the Spice Market in Eminunu to see the Spice Bazaar and to possibly figure out where to guide Annika to go to in order to link up with Emily, and Katie to go to a hamam. That didn't work out so we just talked and walked the spice bazaar. She helped me get a nice backpack for the road, and I pitched in for a dress she wanted so much. We later on said goodbye, which sucked but I will probably see her again since I plan on trying to get an intership in the Land Down Under.