Jordan Takes To The Skies

One of the amazing opportunities in this area of the Turkish Mediterranean coast is paragliding off of Babadag (Father Mountain) that overlooks the sea. Paragliding is basically running off a mountain with a parachute already deployed. There is no free fall, just the trust that if you keep running you will experience an amazing fifteen minutes before walking to a stop by the beach.

At a serendipitous lunch in Oludeniz, the restaurant owner introduced us to Abo, who wears a Batman shirt and keeps his “office” in the back of the restaurant. Abo, the type of person who immediately inspires confidence, has been paragliding for twenty years. This reminds me of a famous Lennyism, “There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots.” Since Abo had been paragliding for so long, and his youngest flyer was a three-year-old a few days prior, I felt just fine sending Jordan Thrillseeker Paret running off the side of the mountain with him.

Russ and Jordan headed to the top of the mountain via cable car (teleferik) with Abo. Christina was in town and she, Rosie and I waited at the beach to video from below. About thirty minutes later, we saw the tiny flag marking Abo’s parachute and then we heard Jordan’s infectious, full belly laugh as they literally performed spins in the sky.

At the end of the paraglide, Abo downloaded 3D photos and videos (he even has a speaker for music during the flight) directly to my phone. Anywhere else in the world, the photo package is extra; here, it’s just one more reason we love Turkey. Jordan had a blast and wants to go again. None of us were brave enough to do it that day, although Christina regrets not going. Next time you feel the need to run off a mountain, I have the perfect guy for you, and Jordan will happily go along.