Hang-gliding in Rio

Today was my favourite day for two reasons - the morning visit to the favela and hang-gliding in the afternoon. I'll write more about the favela to add to Martha's post later but right now I'll tell you a bit about our hang-gliding adventure.

8 of us went to try hang- gliding today with one of the most famous pilots in the world Ruy ?last name?). He's done over 22000 tandem flights (where he's the pilot and u are the passenger tethered to the glider ) which is a world record. He was also featured on the Today Show where he took Natalie Morales on a flight, something I was thrilled to learn about since I watch the Today Show on a regular basis.

The group that went hang-gliding was Tia, Sam, Natalie, Diane, Amanda B., Cheryl, Liz and myself. We drove up to a mountain where the ramp to take-off is located and were each given instructions and had practice runs with our respective pilots. Unfortunately we weren't able to take our own pictures since cameras aren't allowed (people have dropped them) but everyone brought back pictures that were taken by the camera attached to the glider.

The glider looks like a kite with enormous wings like a bird. After getting into our harness and practicing with our pilot we were hooked to the glider and ready to take off. The basic idea is to run as fast as u can off the ramp and keep running a few seconds after take off. We watched several people take off before it was our turn. Natalie was first followed by Liz, Diane, Cheryl, Amanda and Tia. Sam and I had to wait about 40 minutes for our pilots to land, and then drive back up. Tia and I flew with Ruy which was especially thrilling. Ruy has an interesting background - he used to be a lawyer until he decided to do this full time. He has written a book and works with people in Hocinha, the largest favela in Rio.

It's hard to describe what flying was like. Exhilarating, amazing yet strangely relaxing once we were in the air and circling around. Ruy called to some birds and we played 'avatar' with them as we flew. It was probably as close as anyone could come to know what it would be like to fly. The view from above was breathtaking and I believed Ruy when he said no matter how many times he took someone , it never got old.

Once we had all landed we compared notes and it was generally agreed that this was the most incredible experience we had ever had.

Parents there will certainly be some amazing pictures and stories coming home!!