registration day/ opening ceremony

FYI---Facebook page that we will all be making comments to and uploading photos to is here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Paragliding-Team/209439312410942

We had a nice sit down breakfast together this AM thanks to our house host who made us French toast, salami, cheese, Spanish olives and fresh espresso thanks to Nick who purchased an espresso maker at the store the day before. 

North winds will keep is grounded for today and likely tomorrow (over the back wind doesn't work here). So we will check in today, and register, and parade for the opening ceremony tonight. 

Our house has several rooms and has a back patio with a canopy overhead with grape vines for shade and a fountain too. It is very pretty here and especially in the morning.  

Upstairs covered porch area outside my room with Rob. 

Looking down at Canadian pilot Brett Hazlett and Josh Cohn below through the grape vines. 

It is the start of our day, and the end of the day at home. Sweet dreams from the other side...

Cheers,

Marty

First day

I got up around 9:30 am and was told we'd need to hurry to get a flight before thunderstorms developed.  We took too long at breakfast and went up the tram late, around 11. The view was nice and it gave us a chance to see the area, though we heard thunder shortly after we reached the top of the lift. 

Many launched quickly (that were there for a two day comp ending today) but everyone had to descend fast and those that didn't got a good blow from the gust front from the rain cloud. No injuries, but it did reinforce our good decision to ride the lift down. 

Lunch ensued and we ate with the British and German teams. Ordering is a challenge and you are wise to keep a sense of adventure and come hungry!

A nap was in order, and my jet-lag genie app has proven to be a real gem.

There is a fountain in the main square that I'm told is excellent drinking water. 

It's 9:15 pm now and we managed to  find  an open restaurant in this small interesting town. 

 Tomorrow is check in, registration and so forth.  The next day is the practice day. 

Good night from Bulgaria!

Marty

PS. I had some stow-away notes in my luggage that were just too sweet:

Thanks Carmen, Mia and Darla. Now I can decorate my room!  Love you all!

Home for now...

Josh and I met up at Munich and flew to Sofia where Rob and Nick were there with some tasty McDonalds and a rental van to drive the two hrs to Sopot. Josh's glider didnt make it so he did the paperwork and we will sort it out tomorrow. It's 1:30am and bed time for bonzo.  

Josh sorting it out in lost and found. 

The room with antlers will do fine. 

City center:

More when I'm awake.  Oh, and Facebook is where all the blogging will be.  More on that soon. 

Cheers,

Marty