Thursday 28 february 2008

Pokhara

Breakfast at H.E. The children were very late, towing the line to school and then running back to H.E. for the paragliding. With a bus of Blue Sky Paragliding to Sarangkot.
Gurash and I were the first to go.
Gurash was gliding with Patrick, French, with his own school in France. I have to mention from her that she made a perfect take-off AND a perfect landing.
Just because I -with Pascal, also French - had a terrible first take-off. The glider did not catch enough wind, Pascal said to stop, but I was with my legs in the air, so how to stop?
We slided a bit down the hill, before we really came to a halt. Climbing back up and there we went:
CLOUDBUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pascal had his photocamera with him and was sometimes almost hanging upside down (in my eyes) to get good pictures. From another company there was one paraglider who goes flying with his hawk. When he whistles the hawk is supposed to land on his arm. Today the hawk decided different.
Our glider had the same colour and at one point the hawk was following us. Pascal told me to take over control of the glider, he was making pictues.
Scared to death following his instructions, but it started to be fun watching the hawk playing with us, Pascal enthousiastic shouting look Rita Rita, the hawk! I forgot my fear.
Although I did a cloudbuster before, it was still magic, fantastic!!

The landing was a bit clumsy, as I am. I landed on my bum, Pascal trying to stay standing up.
A big hug from Pascal for the great flight and back with the bus down to Pokhara. We walked the last bit to Lake-side to have a well deserved lunch.
After lunch it was shoppingtime. Great shopping, that needed a drink.

But then the man of the photoshop called us: pictures leady!
They were brilliant, even the enlargement ordered for the headmaster. Searching for frame; they found one.
Have to come back and pick it up later, dustied, fixed, and probably looking great.
No drink, rushing first to the toilet, then to the school.

At the home a few tickle-atacks, teatime, homework-time.
After all the excitement of earlier this day we were watching the clock.
Thanks Buddha, there she was: a teacher to help the children to prepare for the exams. Of course we did not want to be in her way, so freedom, here we come.
Again it was the plan to have now the celebration drink, but there was a pashminashop on or way.
Just have a look and 45 minutes later we were getting on our way, running to the photoshop to get the frame, my watch. I left that in care 3 years ago with Sofia and got it back yesterday. Dead. Battery? No, even with a new battery dead!
What can you expect, I bought it in Kathmandu for 300 Rs 3 years ago!!

Oho, run, run, 18.30 Diner at H.E. A nice meal with lots of vegetables and something crusty, fried.
Coffee and Gurash chocolatecake (again trekkers came back).

To finish the day finally to TeaTime to have that glass of wine.
James- who we met in Bandipur - joined us. Later Internet and then to Busy Bee for a nightcap.
Never made it to the internet, but straight to Busy Bee.
Escorting James home, so he would not get lost again or attacked by Djangila, the dog of H.E.
We got him safe to his room, but then we faced a problem: all the shutters of the hotel entrance were closed, locked!!

Ringing the bell several times, finally someone came down to let us in!

Another great day to remember, more to come!

Suba Rathri, Peri Betaunlah,
Sanghita, Gurash