Panama & Bucaramanga Colombia 2011 Blurb







   First let me start by saying that this particular vacation, was really one hell of one well earned. And so, I describe my trip to Panama and Colombia like so - two very beautiful countries that are chock-full of beautiful people with culture, and like everywhere else on this planet, there's some great places to visit and some not so great places to visit. I lived very cheap and simple. I hadn't lived so light for some time, and it was a very welcomed change. I miss it as I write this here and now. Damn, there are so many beautiful women in South America too (had to say it), and everyone had perfect white teeth in Bucaramanga. It's like the dental center of Colombia or something. Some pilots were having their dental work done during their flying vacations. Also like all my adventures down South, I'm reminded time and again about how important it is to speak the language - I really need to formally learn Spanish... Thankfully English was spoken where I spent most of my time, at the flying hostel. My 15 days down South were perfect, and if all of a sudden I go missing, look to Bucaramanga for me. I'll be swaying in a hammock drinking my freshly squeezed juice, waiting for the switch to flip.

   The accommodations setup by http://www.colombiaparagliding.com/ were outstanding, do yourself a favor and click that link. A little hint though, if your looking to stay in a room at the fly-site hostel, you'd better be traveling with a mate. The rooms are for couples only. Us singles get to stay in the bunk room, with 5 other pilots. Which isn't so bad if your tea leaves fall advantageously, but I can imagine how torturous it could become if not... That's not the case here though, the other touring pilots were great company, we often found ourselves sharing stories of the day over food and drink. It was nice sharpening my skills with the help of the instructors and the three students too.

    That also reminds me, I can't think of a better place to learn to paraglide. With consistent conditions comes consistent lessons, after all - we learn from the air we spread our wings in. The conditions really drove home the lesson that we are the conditions we fly in. To improve we have to travel to other venues and experience different air. Never underestimate day to day consistant conditions. I saw students ridge soaring and thermalling with under ten flights, staying up for hours at a time. Of course under the supervision of radios and good instructional judgment.

   It just blows me away, there was perfect flying conditions seen day in and day out. Everyday I flew flights that seemed to push my skillset forward, from launch to landing they demanded my attention. I couldn't have chosen a better place to go paragliding - 30 flights in 12 days with every personal best I have ever had being completely demoralized by the next. Where else can you wake up from your hostel bed, drink freshly squeezed juice, strap on your gear and walk 75 yards to launch? Where you find the conditions are consistent from day to day, and where one can expect 2+ hour long flights (bring water) with cloud base the norm. Usually it's a couple flights in the morning and 1 long flight in the afternoon. Rinse and repeat... Something has to be said about the locals too. The local pilots are some of the best unspoken pilots I've ever seen. There's 12 year olds there that have more flights than most P3 pilots. The old timers and tandem pilots are weathered in the consistent conditions of Bucaramanga, so you can imagine their skill levels too. Very impressive, and very unspoken. This newbie can't imagine a more consistent place to fly and learn new skills. Highly recommended destination for anyone looking to increase their piloting skills or looking for consistent day to day air. Absolutely astonishing! I'm flipping hooked to good air and I will certainly be returning.



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