"A Pilgrimage for any Antipodean " a Gallipoli Travel Page by Kiwigirlie

I went on this trip not knowing what to expect. Going to a war memorial service is not what some people would call a great holiday experience. But if you come from New Zealand or Australia, Anzac Day is something that is ingrained in your life from an early age.
Gallipoli for me was a real time capsule. Although I was often surrounded by thousands of other kiwis and Aussies I felt infinitely alone with the history of the place. It's a beautiful pennisular but I just felt the sorrow that must have been felt by the veterans who were also visiting. I wish I had taken the time to go independantly and although an important day - I also wish I hadn't actually gone on Anzac Day itself. There were too many people there for a start. I felt like we were all disturbing the place. As with many cultural events the traders and racketeers come out in force and that spoiled it for me as well. To be at Anzac Cove, at a quiet and respectful memorial service and then to be pestered by hawkers was just too much.
It's weird because I felt very proud and patriotic to be a Kiwi but as far as I know, our family was not involved in that particular campaign. So I had no grandfather or great uncle to trace. But I still felt connected and I was deeply affected by the place.