XC FROM ÇAMELI, TURKEY

May 7, 2024, Çameli, Turkey. Along with my two paragliding friends, Igor and Alex, we try a cross-country flight from Mount Yaylacik, a 35-minute drive south. We anticipate tough conditions. The wind direction shifts continuously due to intense thermal activity early in the afternoon. We even endured a super dust devil that wrapped me in my wing like sushi as we prepared.
The first two minutes after takeoff proved explosive. The wing went in every direction, and I had many wing collapses. Holding on and gaining 200-300 meters became crucial to regain some serenity. My two friends, having taken off just before me, missed this chaotic moment and managed to ascend more calmly.
Unfamiliar with the region and its aerology, this flight remained exploratory and educational. After 1:50 in the air, I found myself in a dead end above the village of Güzelyurt, a few tens of kilometers north. I had to land. Igor, familiar with the area, completed a triangle and landed not far from Çameli. Alex landed about ten kilometers from me.
During my landing, I flew just above the heads of two village women who didn't see me but heard the noise of my landing in the grass right behind them. This led to an unexpected meeting and exchange, filled with laughter and kindness. We connected without fully understanding each other. A few minutes later, a girl aged 8-10 emerged from nowhere and offered me three pancakes. My heart melted. How could one not appreciate the immense kindness and hospitality of these people?
And the return to Çameli? It happened on a motorcycle. On this small road, where only a few vehicles pass, an old, wheezing motorcycle came by and stopped. The rider asked me where I headed. "Çameli," I replied. He gestured for me to get on. For 45 minutes, his old machine tackled the ups and downs. My biker savior dropped me off right in front of my little hotel. Another act of kindness.
Thank you, dear friends from Turkey, for your hospitality and generosity!
And a big thanks to my two friends Igor and Alex, for the great moments we shared together.
Wing: Niviuk Artik R
Harness: Woody Valley GTO Light 2
GPS Track: www.xcontest.o...

[@tubelesskite]

Et dire qu’il m’a suffit d’une seule petite asymétrique avec ma 16 pour me décider de descendre me poser aujourd’hui 😂😂

[@noubel]

😄 Haha ! Eh bien tu as bien fait de t'écouter, tout simplement. Il n'y a que ça qui compte.

[@43aziz]

Hadi şimdi sıra yelliceye geldi. Kütahya yellice take off sizi bekliyor 😊

[@travelingsapiens]

@@43aziz Memnuniyetle! Bir sonraki sefere bu bölgeye geldiğimde.