Turkish Delights *Videos*
Last month, I visited Turkey for the third time! I was so looking forward to returning to one of my favorite countries and to re-acquainting myself with the fabulous city of Istanbul.
About a year before I started my big 2-year trip, I spent a couple of weeks in the country, heading to Ankara, Cappadocia and the villages dotting the Turkish Mediterranean. Here’re my 3 most popular posts and videos about this awe-inspiring country:
1) Fly Like an Eagle
Check out this video of me paragliding over the Turkish Mediterranean. My ex-Turkish Army pilot, “Whiskey,” and I set sail from the mountains high above the seaside town of Kas.
The term “paragliding” was first coined in the 1970s to refer to a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. The said “aircraft” being a pilot sitting in a harness suspended below a fabric wing. To launch the paraglider, the pilot runs forward generating air pressure that then inflates the wing (or chute).
And that’s what we did as we ran straight off the mountain! View my perilous paragliding adventure here:
Can’t see the video? Click here: Erin’s Paragliding Peril
2) Ripping Around Cappadocia
The Turkish region of Cappadocia is amazing! I didn’t make it on my first trip to the country, so I was sure to visit the second-time around.
Known for its majestic mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, Cappadocia is a rockin’ place (hahahahahahaha). And there’s no better way to get off-road and cover a lot of ground, than on an ATV.
Join me on my first ride on an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) as I hit the high road and the low road (and all the bumps in between) as I snake my way through the Turkish countryside in Cappadocia’s Valley of the Kings.
In fact, ATVs are so much fun, I’ve christened them my latest: Amazingly Tempting Vice. Check out my ATV ride here:
Can’t see the video? Click here: Erin’s ATV Ride
3) To Whirl or not to Whirl
I have to admit, I never really thought of the famous Dervishes as a form of religious expression, but more of a performance representing one of the more unique customs of the Turks.
But on my first morning in Ankara, on the front page of one of Turkey’s English-language newspapers, was an article entitled: “Whirling Dervishes Under Risk of Commercial Erosion,” which got me thinking about the political side of whether or not dervishes should whirl for money.
Here’s the 2-part article on the debate:
What do you think: Are the performance crass commercialism or an outward expression and sharing of their religious beliefs?
Tags: ATV, Cappadocia, Istanbul, paragliding, Turkey, Whirling Dervishes
This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 and is filed under Europe.