Casi (almost)

Our first meal was downtown with Chip Hildebrand and Brad Gunnucio. The 1/2 chicken was delicious and it was great to reunite with friends. Chip said he flew over 140+ hours in 42 flights over a 2 months period. That guy is all smiles. 

The days have been relaxed yet productive in preparation for the first group this Saturday night. 

There is yet another comp going on here and many pilots from the world championships are still here to attend, including Bradley.   I saw 2 poor souls land right I front of the hotel today as the rest of the armada skied out and raced on. I haven't flown yet, as it is a great chance to prep and rest up for the busy weeks ahead. 

Pyro-cumulus cloud from a burning sugar cane field. 

Walking to town takes about 8 minutes and is all downhill from the hotel. We were carrying bottled water back each day until yesterday, when Brian and Rob ordered several 5gal bottles and stands so we can refill out bottles here. Nice. 

Found this beautiful butterfly (sleeping). 

We heard a loud boom near town and the power went out to the hotel around 4:30pm. Brian and I were cleaning out the solar showers (no hot water in the rooms) and it turns out that the water is pumped with electricity. No power = no rinsing. We let the bleach solution soak the vinyl showers in the tub and decided to take a dip in the pool until the power was restored. Ahhhhhhh. 

An hour later, still no power. Dinner time was drawing near when we got a text from Rob. He was in town at a bakery, enjoying a guanama smoothie while using the wifi and charging all his electronics. We took the hint, headed to town with cords in hand and grabbed another 1/2 chicken dinner before ordering a smoothie to hang out and 'recharge' with Rob. 

Since all Brian and I have left to do is rinse the showers, we are thinking of flying tomorrow to rev up for the following day with clients. Brian flew for a few hours yesterday and figured out the routine to get to the launch. It goes like this:  6am Tuk Tuk to La Union. La Union bus to Roldanillo. 8am (or 9am if it doesn't show up) Roldanillo shuttle bus to launch. Whew!  

The humidity is comfortable, the sun, intense. It's hot during the day, but the wind blows over the mountain in the late afternoon and it is fabulous. Tomorrow I will fly with my friends and fly for fun. I hope to visit the clouds and drink in the clean fresh air at cloud base. What a divine treat!

Ciao para ahora. 

Salúd!

Marty