Keebap! Keebap! Keebap! (Post-dated, April 28)

Next stop: Turkey
Destination: Istanbul-Gallipoli-Istanbul-London

But before I get to that, in the space of 48 hours before leaving I had my bankcard stolen so ran home to cancel it, got Carol to dye my hair (a completely unnatural colour), played netball in the ANZAC Weekend Cup (on a most brilliant 22 degree day (yes, celcius, thanks Dad) where we were subsequently sunburnt, drank Coopers on the tube on the way home - hurrah, then as I was packing, realised my credit card had also been nicked. What a start to the weekend. (NB - As it currently stands 3 transactions have been made to the tune of over $600 and now I have Westpac and the bloody UK police involved. Argh.)

Now, back to the story.

So we depart Heathrow after a hellish journey to get there (an hour and a half at 5.30am is just not cricket) only to find that we could have arrived at a more leisurely pace because we weren't checking in any luggage and Luhftansa now have express self-check ins. So angry! Anyway, we stopped over in Frankfurt for an hour (god I love the German language). Then a 3 hour flight to Istanbul.. who said 9 hours of travelling wasn't good for you?!

We arrived to a highly baron and confusing airport. Once we got our visa's we tried to get directions for the metro - no dice, although the Turks speak a fair amount of broken English we discovered they mostly can't understand us. Even with OTT gestures. So, it was off to test out the cab rank. (NOTE TO SELF - never catch a cab that looks like your Mum's old beat up Datsun painted yellow). We baggsed a taxi with some Canadian chick, sat in seats with no seatbelts and held on for dear life. The next 20 minutes were the longest of my life. The only thing I remember is seeing tons of Turkish flags and people crossing the road in front of our cab... and the driver not wanting to stop. He actually nudged a woman out of the way!! Enough was enough and thank god 15 Lira later we were outta there.

Our "hotel" was the next obstacle. We looked like we were in some dodgy movie setting.. there were stone streets and mangy cats EVERYWHERE. The guys in the lobby were nice enough, spoke fairly good English.. warned us of the dangers of men and pointed out the local Police station with armed guards out the front. Ahh, I felt comfortable.

We had unfortunately missed our tours dinner that night so we were on our own. After briefly walking up the road to find food, it only took three separate occasions of men shouting 'Ladies!! Ladies!!' at us for Megs and I to look at each other and walk straight back to where we staying via the dodgy supermarket for a feast of beers and chip sandwiches.

Next morning we were up at 7am, ventured to the breakfast room to get a squiz at just who was on our tour - interesting bunch.. a few lookers.. we were set! 8.45, all aboard the On The Go bus to head to the Bosphorus river for a cruise - nice, but the weather wasn't forgiving so most of us enjoyed the views from inside the cabin. We still hadn't really spoken to anyone at this point and wondered if it was just going to be us two for the entire weekend. We were wrong. During the 5 hour bus ride from the river to the shores of Gallipoli people around us starting piping up (with a little help from Efes beer - the beer of Turks).

The majority of the bus were in their early twenties and everyone was up for a laugh. The guy sat in front of us (Dean - commonly referred to as "Cockhead" - a kiwi, clearly) made quite an impression the night before - got quite pissed, tried the moves on a fellow tour goer and stumbled home. He became a legend, letting everyone dump on him in his hungover state. For once, it wasn't me.

By the time we arrived at ANZAC Cove (around 6.30/7pm) we were buggered, but after hiking up to the shores we were to sleep on and gazing at the scenery which surrounded us it didn't seem to bother us anymore. It was really emotional just being there. The ground which we slept (When I say slept I mean, closed my eyes for a few hours and tried not to freeze to death - BIG UP TO BONDS EXPLORER SOCKS) was looking right down onto the sea and all night huge screens next to us replayed footage, reenactments and interviews of those involved in the war. I finally began to really understand the importance of coming to this ground and paying my respects.

Come 5.30am Megs had to literally snap me out of the deep sleep I had finally found (let it be said that Ipods do not go astray on this journey). We were surrounded by bleary eyed Antipodeans tired yet eager to to be part of the Dawn Service. Despite having had no sleep at all the service captured everyone's attention. It was quite emotional, the Governer General made a speech, the Ode was read ("at the going down of the sun and in the morning.."), the last post was played and the National Anthem sung (*tears*). After this it was off up the coast to walk the mighty 1.5km rugged track up to Lone Pine for the Aussie memorial (and when I say 1.5k add one very full backpack, a sleeping bag, a winter coat and 25 degree heat together). Again, the same kinds of respects were paid - including a very rousing version of Advance Australia Fair - then it was off to the Kiwi memorial at Chunuk Bair. This time we endured a 3km walk up an even bigger hill (albeit paved). As we walked we passed the Turkish celebrations... those guys know how to do it - flags EVERYWHERE, full military guard and we passed about 200 Turkish kids all eager to test their English 'Hello!!! hello!! ANZAC!!!'. During the hike we stopped off at some trenches from the original war - untouched, they were still riddled with bulletholes and were surrounded by some very old barbed wire. It was truly surreal to stand in them (about 1 m deep), thinking of those who used them to hide in during battle. Scary.

After finally reaching the peak, we found that it was well worth it. The view was spectacular to say the least. On one side you could see the coastline spanning out for kilometres and on the other was green hills rolling on forever. It was the end to a good day.

After enduring another 6 hour or so bus ride back to Istanbul - an hour of it slept away, the other 5 drinking... - we arrived back to our hotel with a 50/50 mood about going out on the town. Despite being tired as buggery, how could we not. About 10 of us headed for the Aussie quarters of town (for that weekend anyway), to the TINY 'Just Bar'. It was bloody small but the vodka's were 5 Lira...and they don't use measures here. The bartenders, obvious locals taken in by our, err 'charm', decided to mark the occasion by playing My Happiness (and other Aussie tracks) thinking they would go down a treat, and weren't they right. The whole bar was absolutely heaving and the patriotism whilst singing such anthems could bring tears to the toughest Aussie's eye. (This was of course all forgotten once they launched into Living On A Prayer - FUCK YEAH).

The bar tenders had of course made the big mistake of getting us all rather trolleyed and gee'd up. It was around 5am when they tried to get rid of us. Nah, don't think so. At this point there were only four of us left (Megs had thrown in the towel a few hours earlier - how I wished I had followed her lead). I was left with Dean (aka Cockhead), Neil (aka Cockhead's apprentice) and Mel - the only other Adelaidean I have met since getting abroad!! In what seemed like a rather over the top, yet fucking cool, way of saying goodnight, the tenders poured alcohol on the bar and lit it. I am still trying to track down photos of this as it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen!

The next day was bloody horrible. Megs basically had to beat me out of a comatose "sleep" to pack and get out of the hotel (FYI - I left a shirt, some medication and a brush behind). After being harrassed by the hoteliers for apparently waking up all our neighbours by "getting jiggy jiggy" (THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE) we were on our way to hit the town (about 26 degrees... fabulous if you aren't hungover). It was off to the Main Street Maccas - where some sampled the 'McKebab' (I fucking shit you not) then to the Bazaar markets. This marketplace made Reynella Markets look like a joke!! Every alley you turned down would present another 5 to turn down, I wish I could have spent a whole day there. We ended up buying little fez hats anyhow - and proceeded to wear them around town. We also bought some evil eye braccelets, which, I'm not sure how authentic they are to Turkey - but they apparently protect the wearer from evil spirits by warding them off. Very cool little things.

We had juuuust enough time to swing past the blue Mosque in the centre of town. It was HUGE. Before entering we had to cover our shoulders and knees and remove our shoes. The outside of this place was impressive, but the inside was spectacular. I'm not a huge church buff or religious by any stretch, but I could've spent a lot more time looking around here.

At this point it was a mad dash for all of us to pile into a bus taxi and catch our miriad of planes home. Megs and I were the last few to leave - we kept Trevor company as he sat around waiting to see if he could get an earlier flight. (Last we hear he camped out at the airport and finished a shitload of Sudoku's.)

The plane ride home was unbearable.. we had to retrace our steps with a flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt, then Frankfurt to Heathrow (all in all about 6 hours of transfers). As we boarded the final flight home we were rather delirious and the poor guy next to us had to put up with us cacking ourselves over really shit jokes. "What's red and looks like a bucket? A red bucket..... What's blue and looks like a red bucket? A red bucket holding it's breath".

We finally hit the ground around 10.30pm and landed in bed around 1am.. got to love budget flying and cramming in as much activity into one weekend as possible. Now I have a 3 month visa in my passport I'm really hoping I can get back to Turkey to use it (any excuse really).

Vicariously I live while the whole world dies

Ahhhhh Barcelona!! Officially my favourite place in the world. We were greeted by three days of SUPERB sunshine (31 on Sunday!!) - only to arrive back in London to 11 degree weather. I'm really beginning to think I'll be giving the UK the big flick come winter, I can't fucking bear this weather.

Anyhow, I must finish my Turkey blog before starting on Barca.... but suffice to say the Tool show Monday night was the highlight of this year (and I can't see that changing). I can die happy now!!


I <3 TooL

There's no room for you here girl

I should be packing for Barcelona but Vanessa and I got distracted my showing Julian photos from back home.. our farewells, nights at the Grand (OMG SO MANY NIGHTS), Carly's farewell... we look so healthy (ie THIN!!!) and happy... come rescue us Australia.. we need you!!!

X

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Thanks to everyone who sent messages for my birthday... as I replied to Matt's Mum.. "I'm getting so much love from Oz today!". And as for you, Beccyboo.. you almost had me in tears after calling!

Well, after a big lunch - treated to champers by V - yay!!!! It's 2 hours and counting before heading home to punk it up for 80's Roller Disco extravaganza. I'm turbo excited!

And p.s. I love everyone who told me today I could eat chocolate and not put on weight because it's my birthday. I'm so glad you're looking out for me.

X

Steady as she goes

Last night we were given the news that - after contacting the promoters - we will be given replacement tickets. I expect backstage fucking passes after this!! At least our stress levels have now all but disappeared.

I think these next few weeks will rival this time last year. Tomorrow is the big day (ahhh!!!), Roller Disco a go go - 80's style, then I have a mystery package being delivered (do I smell tim tams??) Saturday, tattoo's on Sunday followed by the longest week at work before flying off to Barca... then TOOL!!

Phew. I best sit down and get on with concentrating on anything but my birthday.

****

And Jen, huge congratulations... wow, you floored me with your email!!! If you do make it over here - or to Amsterdam for that matter - count me in! x

You'll get yours.

Well. After weeks of wondering where our Barcelona Tool tickets were (as we knew of people in the UK who had received theirs) Andy was informed yesterday that he had actually signed for them over a month ago.

Err, don't you mean some FUCKER signed for OUR tickets?

We now have 12 days to track them down or demand new ones be issued. I will be absolutely gutted if this goes to shit. We'll still have to go to Barca as the flights and all have been arranged, but it just won't be worth it without Tool.

Slap me

Iiiiiiiiiii'm going to Reeeaaaaaaading, Iiiiiiii'mmm going to Reeeeadddding


Friday 25 August
FRANZ FERDINAND, KAISER CHIEFS, AUDIOSLAVE, YEAH YEAH YEAHS, BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, FALL OUT BOY, PANIC! AT THE DISCO, FIGHTSTAR, PRIMAL SCREAM, MYSTERY JETS, PEACHES

Saturday 26 August
MUSE, ARCTIC MONKEYS, THE STREETS, FEEDER, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, THE FUTUREHEADS, WOLFMOTHER, THE RACONTEURS, JET, CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH, THE FALL, THE SHINS

Sunday 27 August
PEARL JAM (FUCK ME), PLACEBO, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, SLAYER, LESS THAN JAKE, DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, MAXIMO PARK, THE RAKES, THE KOOKS, BOY KILL BOY, GOLDIE LOOKIN' CHAIN, THE DRESDEN DOLLS, THE AUTOMATIC, ¡FORWARD, RUSSIA!, THE MARSHALS


After this I can officially die happy.

Ha!!

A few weeks back I emailed The Living End online crew and asked them for a copy of the bands symbol,



as I want it for my next tattoo. They wrote back very impressed that I would etch this on me forever and asked to send them a photo of the final result.

Well, well, well... what appears in their next newsletter?!

"TATTOO YOU
Do you have a tattoo of The Living End logo or symbol? Send a photo of it to info@thelivingend.com along with your name, city and what year you got the tattoo - where is it? Maybe even a quick paragraph about getting the tattoo would be cool. We want to start a page on our site showcasing them!"

I'm such a trend setter.


Oh and Happy Birthday me... here's the poster I just ordered myself. I can't help it!

Read on

Phew.. what a big couple of weeks it has been. Since last writing I have-

- Been on the Eurostar and spent four days in Paree
- Played in the ANZAC Weekend Netball round robin comp
- Taken on a new and 'different' hair colour (you knew it would happen people!)
- Had my credit and bank cards stolen (what a JOYFUL experience)
- Made the pilgrimage to Gallipoli for ANZAC Day/visited Istanbul
- Starting captaining our netty team in the local comp
- Organised my birthday.. roller disco here we come!!
- Got broadband, well, I get access on Wednesday and should have my pc by this time next week. Get in!!


It's all below people, work it out yourselves!

The time has finally come

Things have been set straight after so many years of anguish. The Nasty Cup has found it's rightful place back in our arms again.

South Adelaide 20.16-136 def Sturt 13.10-88



Bring on the Tigers next week