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    Nature Boy; A Call to the Wild

    NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

    01.09.2019

    Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Danilo Reynoso 

    USS Bataan (LHD 5)

    For Operations Specialist Seaman Bugra Zamir assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), weekends are without a doubt used for road trips and adventure. Zamir has an insatiable desire for travel and seeing the exquisite scenery of God’s green earth.

    The Salt Lake City, Utah local, has always had an unappeasable love of the outdoors. For Zamir, this has been normal ever since he was a small child in his native land of Istanbul, Turkey.

    “I grew up loving the outdoors and ever since then, it’s something I’ve always have done. Now I’ve got the means to travel more so whenever I get the chance, it’s what I do.” stated Zamir.

    Zamir, immigrated to the United States of America as an international student in 2011 from his homeland of Istanbul. He found work in retail shop at a local mall in Salt Lake City, however Zamir wanted to give back to his adoptive country which provided him with new found opportunities of bettering himself and enlisted in the Navy in May 2017. While at Recruit Training in Great Lakes, Illinois he also applied and gained his U.S. citizenship.

    Since arriving to the United States, Zamir has always had interest in exploring the outdoors. His journeys come from a passion of being out in the wilderness and one with nature. The fresh air, the breath taken sceneries and the wonders of nature are worth wild experiences for Zamir, who admits he can’t get these experience from a textbook or even a high definition television, he has to witness it in person. “I dislike spending time in closed spaces, when being outdoors with no walls suits me so much better.”

    Sometimes the journey of the open road is what all Zamir needs to free himself from the arduous duties of ship life.

    “I also just like getting in my car and driving, it eases the mind. It doesn’t matter to me how long,” Zamir explains.

    Being stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, Zamir has found lots of locations that have suited his desire for thrill and adventure, namely in West Virginia and North Carolina.

    “I’ll look up national parks or places to hike around me and then see plenty of options to explore one weekend at a time. West Virginia without a doubt has the best place to go white water rafting on the east coast. New River Gorge Bridge has trails for hiking. If you’re looking to do rafting, it’s best around spring and summertime,” Zamir explains.

    Along with the travels and rigorous activities, Zamir enjoys capturing the sights as an amateur photographer from his adventures, it goes with telling a better story.

    “It’s where I find my happiness. It’s therapy for me by calming my mind. It heals the soul for me. I just love seeing these views with my own eyes. I can drive to forget all my troubles and stress of daily work.” Zamir explains. “Every time I travel somewhere new, I gain more experience from interacting with new people, culture and the environment. It’s great seeing like-minded people who have the same interest as me that also value and respect nature. Taking pictures helps me capture these memories so I can look back at these later.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.09.2019
    Date Posted: 01.09.2019 11:45
    Story ID: 306511
    Location: NORFOLK, VA, US
    Hometown: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US

    Web Views: 95
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN