fast talk * slow read: Visiting history

We recently returned from a two and a bit week trip to Berlin, Istanbul-Turkey and Amsterdam.

All very different places,

All have there great parts.

In Berlin we visited Levis cousin and his partner in Berlin, knowing locals was such a treat as we were introduced to a vibrant area of Berlin which had great bars, perfect cheep food and walking distance from Templehof airport- which is great to walk around even in a cold wind which keeps all the locals from picnicking like they would in summer.

Levi and I spent a large amount of two days in the Museum of German history, Museum of Photography and a walking tour of Berlin.

It was, fantastic (for lack of a better word)

We have learnt here how open Germany is about their past.

Levi and I have felt overwhelmed with the in-depth knowledge around for anyone to learn- that is if they are willing to read and learn from history.

Istanbul- Turkey was a complete culture change from any country we visited so far. Although it was colder then we expected.

We really enjoyed staying in the old part of the city called Sultanahmet.

Our apartment was very close to many small and large Mosque. The largest being Sultanahet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by us foreign travellers due to "the colours of the light reflected by the cobalt tiles". Also the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is in the same square, which was previously a church for 800years, then a Mosque and now a Museum.

We really liked being woken at dawn by the prayers/singing in the morning coming from more then one Mosque.

The grand bazaar was eventful, Levi enjoyed being harassed by men talking about his beard and blond hair. I was the bargain hunter and taught Levi a thing or two about bartering. Although we felt sorry for more then one shop-man since we were getting things for such a low price we once added money.

Regardless of trying to only buy a 'few' things we still brought way to much- struggling to pack it all in our one bag when we left haha.

We tock a day trip to Galipolli- our guide knew Turkish history beyond what I thought would be taught. His non-biased opinion left little to the imagination when it came to the ANZAC battles.

It was unreal to stand at ANZAC cove, North beach and Chunuk Bair.

I made sure I honoured the men who served us while standing still for a moment during the fast pass tour.

I stood and looked down at the sand mixed with rocks, while the small waves ventured in and out close to my shoes. Trying to imagine that day, almost 100 years ago, is hard when there is silence around you and all you can hear are those small waves in and out.. it must have been just - madness.

Sultanahmet Mosque

Hagia Sophia

(below are from Gallipoli)

Looking from Chunuk Bair down to North Beach, ANZAC cove to the left.

We took a delayed flight from Istanbul back to Berlin then got on a later bus and traveled about five hours north, Stayed with Tanja at Basti's flat then caught another bus to Amsterdam the next day, four hours of the best seat on the bus (very front so I didn't feel sick and could take photos) we made it finally to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam was as beautiful as every one said.

Yes you smell the 'green stuff' a lot and yes there are many shops selling all sorts of 'things and stuff' you never see anywhere else but it seems to be sort of 'the thing' and no one seems to be phased.

I think if we had been there with friends, locals or not feeling unwell from Istanbul food then the weekend would have been different for us.

It was still a fab trip, the canals are large and calming, the space the water brings to the city helped me feel like I wasn't at all in a city.

Apartments on all sorts of angles and leaning all sorts of directions made me happy to not own property there ha but I'm sure if you did own property in Amsterdam it would be fab since it is very cute.

We lined up with many other people in a slow cue for almost two hours to visit Anne Franks House, the secret annxe- It was an amazing place and the in-depth stories you learn again make us feel beyond blessed to live now. I was personally inspired and I will never forget the interviews they have playing with Otto Frank, Annes father- he made me cry- a fathers pride for Anne and heart break for his family.