Days 1 and 2, tour 2

The day was spent staring at my ceiling, aching from flu like symptoms and wanting nothing to eat while forcing myself to keep drinking water. 

I had a short bout of something similar just a day or two ahead of the first tour as well and figured I'd be okay by the next day again. I wasn't. This time I had a decent fever and it wasn't getting better.

Perhaps it will take two days?

Everyone took my guys on the first day  and great first flights took place. I missed everyone coming back to the hotel, I missed dinner and instead had some pepto tablets and a bowl of fruit in my bed. 

On the second day, my fellow guides stepped up again and took my group while I had an appointment with the local doctor at the La Union clinic.  I don't fancy hospitals, injections, blood tests or IV use, but the idea of missing yet another day was worse than my fear of sharp things. 

Two hotel staff accompanied me to the hospital to ensure me getting there and to make sure we all understand one another. I explained my symptoms and my dislike of puncture wounds but they informed me I would be on the receiving end of a shot in my but and an IV in my arm. I was too weak to complain (much) and they took care of business right away. 

It was an hour and a half later when the plump IV had drained completely. 

I was still groggy and found it hard to sit up without seeking a horizontal position almost immediately due to my light-headedness.  Surprisingly, I was able to pound a bottle of water that Viviana brought me. Eventually I did feel stronger and walked out of there under my own power to a waiting taxicab. 

Within an hour of returning to the hotel, I had my appetite back and was slurping up some homemade chicken soup with amazement and great satisfaction. I still had some Doritos from just before my appointment and ate them as well. Yum.

It wasn't long before guides and pilots started trickling in, at it seemed that there was some fender benders this day, and some glider repairs would be needed. Fortunately I felt really well and dove into some of the repair work with all the other guides and we mostly finished before dinner. 

We sat down to dinner and finished up in minutes afterwards.

Dinner was great but my now shrunken stomach wouldn't hold as much as it did before. Sadly, I had to leave the table with food still on my plate.

I was so amazed at my transformation back among the healthy. I met with my group for a little chat and went to bed, hoping my health would stay strong tomorrow. 

That's all for this two day stretch. 

Ciao,

Martín

Day 7 Tour 1

The last flying day for the first tour dawned cloudy and dark. 

While eating breakfast a rain shower pored down on the hotel and made the surface of the swimming pool dance with splashes and endless rings from the droplets as they fell. We pushed the departure time an extra 30 minutes to let the rain pass. 

It was a nice change of pace. 

The rain stopped and we loaded up as usual.  

Our chase driver Flacko assured me there would be no more rain. He was right. He really is great with Maya. 

Cipriano wrapped all the wings in plastic just in case.  It wasn't necessary this time, however. 

The guides: Matt, Rob, Brian, Dave and yours truly. 

The horse on launch was ready to go but wind blowing downslope (over the back) has many of us hiding out of the cool wind. I felt chilled and put on every warm thing I had. I sensed that I was getting sick. 

Not everyone felt as cold as I did. I was hoping a snack might give me a boost in energy. 

Eventually we hiked up the stairs and readied our gear. Tyler and Christan know how to chill when waiting for the wind to switch. 

Despite the bad wind direction and dark skies, there were some brief Windows that allowed 19 of the 25 pilots and guides. They soared around in light lift and stayed in the air for an hour or more. 

The wind started picking up and we decided to pack up and ride down. I still wasn't feeling tip top anyway, so it was best on many levels. 

We went to lunch once back in town and I was really feeling ill. I couldn't wait to get back to my room and lay down. Some people were leaving tonight and some the next day as others would be arriving on the next tour.  I missed the end of tour fiesta and was pinned to my bed for the next 24 hours with a fever, nausea, body ache and no desire to eat. The next morning I stayed in bed until noon and still found it difficult to sit upright or stand. I really wanted to welcome the next group but found myself laying on the couch in the lobby and didn't dare let anyone get too close. By night fall I was feeling better and joined some others for pizza in town. Somehow I was able to walk all the way there and back. After a few slices of pizza I had to lay down again. I grabbed a bench and got horizontal. In short while my queasiness passed and we made the trek back to the hotel. I was optimistic about guiding the next day.  

I've been staring up at my ceiling a lot as of late.  I'm ready for a change of view. 

Hoping to feel better soon,

Martín 

Day 6 Tour 1

It began as a spectacular day. It ended that way too. 

Fresh fruit, scrambled eggs and watermelon juice with a little café was just the ticket. I am flying solo with my group today. I'm prepared to fly for hours. 

I was DJ for the ride up by blue tooth from my phone to Flacko's radio. Good tunes, good times. 

The day was on!  All but three got up and stayed airborne for long satisfying flights. I got super low with one of my team and he landed as I got my low save for the day. Tomorrow we fly tandem together to maximize the experience and airtime. 

We gaggled well today and as a result many made it across the valley and either landed on the other side or flew back with me to make a modified box pattern connecting most of the four cities we fly over. 

As the day went on we experienced some taller clouds and some shading too. Overdevelopment was a concern. 

Rain was visible south and behind Roldanillo so we knew it was likely to gust and as late as it was, we expected strong west wind at any time. 

Carl and Spencer made it back to Roldanillo from Zarsal with me and climbed to nearly 9000 feet there. 

Carl took his glide to Oscars LZ below the take off, effectively making his flight an 'out and return,' something special in the flying world.  He reported strong west wind later as we flew on to La Union and   climbed out again. Spencer was the last of my group and wisely flew away to the east towards La Vitoria to land in the middle of the valley. Brian Howell had been with us the whole time and he and I easily made the glide to La Vitoria ahead of the wind and landed uneventfully. Five to 10 minutes later the wind picked up, but it was nowhere as strong as the La Union side where Rob was calling on the radio that the wind was gusting to over 25 mph. 

Our welcoming committee remembered us from previous years and hung out with is as we packed and then led us to the bus stop. 

Back on the bus, we headed home for chicken and juice. Always a welcome end to a long day in the saddle. 

Ahh, love this place. Good times with good friends and sharing good food. 

We still had a full dinner just a few hours later, and it was wonderful. 

After a debrief with my group, and call to home, it was off to bed.  I was exhausted. 

Sueños Dulces para mí. 

Martín

Day 5 Tour 1

Today had the morning clouds we like and it looked as though it would clear to be a great day. It would be our chance to make up for the day before.  

The ride diqwn on the truck roof yesterday took its toll on Dave, Rob and me. We sat up top to make more room for our guests. Took one for the team.

Negrito was making his rounds for a pat on the head and scratch behind his ears.

We blew a seal on the power steering pump today, nothing that Flacko couldn't fix.

Spencer had another great flight today. He has done very well.

Christian landed early with a few others today after being the last to land a few days ago. It happens.

Spencer and John both had great flights today. Spencer in this altitude shot, John was just out of frame. 

It was a great day for the flying monkeys T-shirt. Good times.  I was so stoked for these guys. John landed at the bridge to Zarsal and spencer just past Roldanillo.

I landed at the stadium and it was locked, so I had it all to myself. 

A friendly groundskeeper let me out and it was just a few minutes until I flagged a small van for a ride to Rolda. The guy was nice and we talked about how the dry weather has affected the flying here.  He wouldn't accept any money and dropped my right where the La Union bus would be. 

In two minutes the bus arrived and I was on my way. I grabbed a few groceries and hopped a Tuk Tuk for $3000.00 COP ( about $1 US Dollar)  to get to the hotel. 

There was much activity when I arrived. 

Koyoko made some more adjustments to her pod harness. Super sweet.

 Yummy dinner and deserts. We polished these off with ease.

Dave gave a great presentation about SIV, and everyone enjoyed it. 

Happy 10th anniversary to my lovely wife Carmen. I wish could celebrate it here but we are countries apart right now. Something to look forward to, when I'm back. 

Besos a mi esposa dé diez años. Te amo mucho. 

Ciao,

Martín 

Day 4 Tour 1

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Some clouds gave way to full sun and we made sure to be to launch on time.  Farmer launched just after 9am hoping to catch the early lift up to cloud base and top land before everyone else arrived. 

He searched around for a while in light lift but was unable to get back in on his faded green glider due to west wind over the back creating rotor turbulence. This also put launching on hold for all the rest arriving to the strong and switchy wind. 

The sky looked really quite good, but there was significant wind and the turbulence near the mountain made launching too risky.  

Riding down on top of the Cipriano bus. 

One other from our group launched in a good moment, and later Brian launched to guide him. They both flew towards Zarsal and landed safely.  It was not the best day to fly here, but very educational watching pilots from a separate group launch anyway and have very bumpy looking flights. 

Back in town it was chicken and mango/banana juice for John and me.  

Everyone is ordering all kinds of juice combos now. Good times. 

Love these birds. Mmmmm

Back at the hotel everyone relaxed, swam, showered and had a cold drink or two until a rain shower cooled everything off. 

I took a nap and missed the rainbow afterwards. It cleared up quite a bit after all the wet. 

Spinach soup?

Brian gave a nice talk tonight, then dinner followed. 

We started a little friendly poker game that made great use of the  devalued coins we have accumulated so far. 

We are hoping for a better launch window tomorrow. 

Adios!

Martín