We were glad that we finally decided to do the paragliding, after much hesitation this morning. Risk and cost were our major concerns, I admitted: 70 euro for just 20 minutes' jumping off the cliff, not sure if there was any real insurance.
Before we were to be picked up at 11:30, we had some time for a nice walk. Although she was not planning to do it, Y. still accompanied us to the office, and during the next half an hour's waiting, we tried to relax by reading some magazines and books. However, a feedback book did carry many scary stories, like this piece.
About half an hour later, a van came to transport us to a hill village called Sarangkot, 1592 meters, also known as a good platform of watching sunrise, with better view than Nagarkot. When the van was driving closer and closer to the destination, A. kept mentioning the building of the nerveness, a side effect from readying those feedback. I behaved pretty calm, strangely for no good reason.
Some people came carrying their own big bags of facility. About six, including us this batch, were 'naked'. After we got off, we climbed a little higher before we were introduced to our pilots. One young woman was for me, and a man for A. My instructor, named D.D. smiled assuringly and asked to remember simple actions, when helping me to put on lots of gears and head helmet:one: not to sit but keep running, second: to bend forward, when pulled from behind. Easy! I told myself, for flying. I even asked her how I should do when we land. Next to me, the male pilot with A. was explaining and she seemed better and calmer now. And our friend, Y. kindly helped recorded our moments.
Yes, I'm ready to go. But not so ready to be the very first and so soon, when D.D. judged the good wind. After adjusting the big balloon's direction, she said something I didn't hear. Then she gave a strong pull and I was suddenly realizing the actions she taught was for taking off but not flying in the sky.We seemed a little hurried, for she even stamped on the back of my left loose sneaker. So I was running, off the cliff, relaxed and nervous only about my shoe coming off too.l, I folded my left leg for me to reach for it, as my other friends and her pilot observed, I was kinda pushed from my pilot from behind and I was already so scared and kept looking to the ground.
After I saved my falling shoe, D.D and I had nice chat while we were flying. Over those mountains, over the terraces, over our platform, and over the lake. We danced with the wind higher and around. D.D frequently checked with me how I felt and answering today to be a perfect day, clear and with some wind. She was one of the only two woman pilots for paragliding in the whole country.
We turned around and rose a little higher too in the sky,about 1600 meters now. Near us, other colorful balloons and big eagles were flying too, against white clouds and blue sky, over sapphire lake water, I really hoped to fly away forever.
Afterward, I felt a second of headache and boredom and like throwing up, after so many circles, I assured my pilot I was feeling fine and got assured to hear from her that we were landing soon. Over Phewa lake, I saw our shadow over the water ripples.
'Easy, just run with me.' I was so afraid that when landing my legs were so soft that I would fall over. But fortunately it didn't happen, we had a very smooth and safe landing. And about three minutes later, the Korean boy landed, but immediately found the lawn to lie down. And then A., had a hesitating landing but she was so excited afterward after their three times of taking-off and the allowance to maneuver their para-glider. And then, another team landed and did, as in my worst imagination, unfortunately fall over.
Many kids would help to pack. On a busy day, a pilot, like D.D would fly six times. On the way back to the town, we were surprised to get to know that she was already with baby for five months. We wished her well and a mom with a child born to fly. On the way back, after reuniting Y., A. couldn't hide her excitement about this experience, especially her huge crush over her pilot,' finally calming down because of feeling so secure'. After the lunch at Hotel Meera, we worked out our trekking tour with a local tour agent Jomsom, and rested for the whole afternoon.
Many kids would help to pack. On a busy day, a pilot, like D.D would fly six times. On the way back to the town, we were surprised to get to know that she was already with baby for five months. We wished her well and a mom with a child born to fly. On the way back, after reuniting Y., A. couldn't hide her excitement about this experience, especially her huge crush over her pilot,' finally calming down because of feeling so secure'. After the lunch at Hotel Meera, we worked out our trekking tour with a local tour agent Jomsom, and rested for the whole afternoon.
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