Paragliding and back to Kathmandu

The weather was finally alright enough to paraglide on Boxing Day! They picked us up and took us to the launch site at Sarangkot, near where I'd watched the sunrise the previous morning. People were taking off as we climbed up the slope, and it was really surreal seeing people running off the side of the mountain and just continuing to float onwards.

My paraglider was Krishna, the brother of Sano Babu who did the Everest paraglide I've mentioned previously.
"Look up. Run. Don't stop running."
Those were my instructions.
So in no time I was in a harness and then clipped to Krishna.
"Ok. Go!"
"Run?!"
"Yes. Run. Run run run run run. STOP STOP STOP STOP."
We hadn't managed to get enough lift with the parachute to take off due to the average conditions and had to stop running and plant ourselves in the ground before we tumbled off the edge. Wasn't graceful.

Second attempt at take off I found myself with a lot of adrenalin considering I'd become very aware of gravity and felt like actually flying just wasn't possible. It's also very hard and awkward to run with a Nepalese man strapped to your back. It kind of felt like those dreams where you're trying to run but you start floating of the ground so it's impossible to actually get anywhere. Does anyone else get those dreams?!

So the second launch was successful and it was super surreal to just run off a mountain and float away. The flight was really fun. I felt like an eagle.

Waiting for the flight and then doing it took up most of the day so I had a very late lunch and then lemon meringue pie for dinner. Happy Boxing Day.

I could have stayed another night and hung about Pokhara alone but I decided I was done and booked a bus back to Kathmandu. Zak was flying in this morning before we start the group Architects without Frontiers/Aussie Action Abroad expedition tomorrow evening so I figured I'd hang with him for the afternoon.

Turns out there were quite a few of us already arrived so we all headed out to dinner tonight. I went back to Northfield and the barista boys greet me with big smiles and the Nepali hands together greeting, whatever that's called. They've been perfecting their coffee/milk frothing skills since my instruction and have improved greatly. Everyone here is just super lovely. Candy is even putting me up in her spare bedroom tonight before I move into the flash hotel the expedition group is staying at tomorrow!

I will miss my independence/ being able to decide what I'm doing and when.. But I'm really looking forward to getting started on the project! If you haven't already watched the documentary, "the day my God died" then watch it (warning: it's full on).. We're going to Maiti's Kathmandu facility the day after tomorrow and it's bound to be an intense experience.

Alright I'm tired - off to sleep (in my own room, by myself.. Going to miss this)! Goodnight!