Following the revolution of October 1917 in Russia, the opponents of the new regime fled to different regions of the world: Turkey was their first stop on the route of escape to freedom in 1919 and 1920. This was a life of exile for the Russian aristocracy. The Belarusians, in particular, wrote about what they lived through in Turkey during these times. According to a book published in 1924, "after more than a hundred Russian ships set anchor in the cove of Moda three years ago, followed by cries of 'Russians are coming!' Istanbul was swept by a flood of thousands of gray-uniformed, blonde, and Russian-speaking people." In presenting an overview of the experience of Russians during the six-year period of exile, this book suggests that these emigres were grateful to the people of their host country, which was itself under occupation at the time.