Going for four days to Mexico City on busines, what could stop me from asking Family and my Boss for permission to add a few days und take the paraglider. Today I was ready. I left Mexico City with on of these Busses, which can be found all over Mexico and provide a excellent network of public transport. My target was Valle de Bravo, a little town about 3 Hours west of Mexico City. I had made some contacts here by the Internet.

After about 3 1/2 hours of travelling in the bus, I arrived at Valle De Bravo and went to the shop of the local Flying school. I was already expected, could deposit my bag with cloths, laptop etc. and get on the truck to depart to the launching site 'La Torre' (the tower).

The launching site is situated at the highest point, directly above the town. The launch is flat on top and drops steeply in the front. Approximatly 30 Meters wide and ... made of concrete. A tower with some transmission installation stands directly next to it. Still it is a fairly easy take-off, the wind is usually blowing straigth up the slope and is free of turbulences. It's the wind also, which makes the flying here possible. Combined with some thermals it is mostly laminar wind which provides this sigt with a constant motor for hours of soaring.

I take off as one of the first and quickly gain 3-400 meters above take-off. The conditions are rather weak, but free of turbuilences and very steady. A burning forrest on the right of the launch offers an additional source for thermals, I ignore it as much as possibble, the whole thing produces a good bit of smoke.

It is a public holiday and therefor are many pilots in the air. They help me to estimate quickly to 'see' the potential of this site, all good spots are crowded with colorfull gliders. During my flight I notice the time on my variometer, which is still showing Swiss time, turning midnight. I can not help it but to smile. While my friends at home dream of flying, I' up here and enjoy the beautiful view acreoss the mexican hills.

I fly for about two hours and land just before sunset at the official landing zone.