Meltem Özdem found her dream job soaring over Cappadocia's volcanoes and mountains as a hot air balloon pilot. Breaking barriers in a male-dominated field, she fought hard to get here.
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00:00Every morning before sunrise, the hills of Cappadocia are filled with a roar of fans.
00:07Dozens of colorful balloons slowly inflate.
00:11That's when Meltem Özdem starts her work day.
00:15She's one of only a handful of women in Turkey who pilot a hot air balloon.
00:24We've checked the balloon again, along with all of the ropes and the propane supply.
00:29Everything's in order. Now the co-pilot and I are waiting for permission to take off.
00:38Using a propane burner, Özdem skillfully raises the balloon.
00:44Time to board. Today's passengers are tourists from South Korea.
00:50It's time for liftoff.
00:53More than a hundred other hot air balloons take to the skies.
01:12As the first rays of sunshine crown the horizon,
01:16a marvelous spectacle begins above the volcanic crags of Cappadocia.
01:24Meltem Özdem guides her balloon above the rock formations
01:27and stays in touch with the control center by radio.
01:31She's been a balloon pilot for more than ten years.
01:34She says she's never experienced a dangerous situation.
01:39After an hour and a half, we touch down.
01:42It's a good opportunity for the balloon pilot to show off her skill.
01:46A precision landing straight onto the trailer.
01:57We had favorable winds.
02:00We saw the sunrise and the valleys from above and landed safely.
02:04Everyone's happy. So am I.
02:08But it's not enough.
02:11But it's not just the ride the tourists are impressed by.
02:24Not just a woman, but a woman wearing a headscarf.
02:28Özdem knows that's what many people think.
02:31But she takes pride in having worked her way up, into the skies,
02:35despite her traditional background.
02:40If I hadn't followed this path with determination,
02:43I would be living a different life today in Istanbul.
02:46Today, I live my own life. I fought for my freedom.
02:50It's not a line that my parents cross or anyone else in my family.
02:54I've learned to say stop.
02:59Today, Özdem devotes her life to ballooning.
03:02She often pays a visit to the local balloon workshop
03:05to take a look at the colors and patterns of the balloons she's ordered.
03:09But she also wants to serve as a role model to other women
03:12here in East-Central Anatolia.
03:16We try to empower housewives to work here for at least a few hours a day.
03:21That way, they can contribute to their household income
03:24and also do something for their personal development.
03:29Her male colleagues value Özdem's commitment and experience.
03:34These days, it's hard to imagine the tourism business in Cappadocia
03:37without women balloon pilots.
03:42A balloonist needs patience and empathy.
03:45After all, we work with tourists who have lots of questions.
03:48And that's where women like Meltem are ahead of us.
03:52The customers are just happier after flights with Meltem.
03:58That kind of patience comes in especially handy
04:01when Özdem works with her students.
04:04She teaches balloon piloting to students from Turkey and abroad.
04:08Some of them are off to a rather wobbly start.
04:13Her dedication to the next generation continues after her workday is over.
04:18She's a role model, especially for young women.
04:21She makes us women proud,
04:23and her support has made all the difference for my dream of becoming a balloonist.
04:27When I see them fly a balloon with a big basket for the first time,
04:31and they wave to me from above, that makes me happy and proud.
04:37And so, with Meltem Özdem's help,
04:40many more young women will take to the skies,
04:43soaring above the landscape of Cappadocia.