VIM11 preview: Page 1

2-plugs caught in the act: live interview on Turkish TV The Turkish Varadero Riders Community

Make up your mind… No, clear up your mind! As promised… our brief report about our first impressions regarding Turkey and the VIM11 location in Assos. I’ve already shared some details with you guys ‘n girls, but that’s only a gimp for what you can expect next year. Karinda and I where perhaps a little cautious regarding Turkey; fed by false information created by the public opinion regarding mainly the Islam and based on (bad) behaviour of a minor Turk group in The Netherlands and Germany. What a mistake to make. This visit – our very first visit to Turkey – could not be further removed from such – false - ideas. Did you know that last week the Turkish celebrated their 85th anniversary of the modern Turk State? Did you know that in Turkey State Politics and religion are strictly separated since the last 85 years; even before the diversion of Church and Government in most ‘modern’ Western nations? We will be a guest, and a good guest respects his host which does not have to say that you have to agree. I have been in many European nations which give me a less ‘developed’ feeling as I encountered these few days we’ve spend in Turkey.

Istanbul – Today’s Constantinople…

We have been guided through Turkey’s wonderful city of Istanbul on the Bosporus Sea Street connecting the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea. Erkut Dora and his lovely wife Behàn where the perfect guides and took all efforts to let us breath the wonderful atmosphere on the location where the European continent joins the Euro- Asian continent. The people, the food, the atmosphere, the culture… Wow! I can not judge for my wife, but I have seen many countries in the World and amongst all these countries only once I was totally overwhelmed by all the impressions I received – which was in South Africa.

And now? It happened again! But it did not even make me feel exhausted or tired… Istanbul ‘pumped’ energy in every fibre of my body. This city is an organism fully alive, breathing, pulsing, moving; 24 hours per day. Over 3.000 years of history are at your disposal. Enjoy it. Feel it. Taste it. Smell it. See it! Most participants will not ride through or via Istanbul, but directly from Bulgaria and Greece to Assos. But if you have some spare time, it is recommendable to visit Istanbul. Don’t mind the crowded traffic – just use your horn and high beam.

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