Date: Wed, 16 Aug 1995 05:16:18 -1000 From: jtavo@aol.com (JTavo) Message-Id: <40t242$i5v@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: RE: Colombia for the 4th time. Come on Dodd, this has to be your fourth or so posting on going to Columbia and you still haven't told us about the Columbians and there connection with kites! For example, What is the kite design most associated with columbia? When did the columbians start flying kites and why? (history) What materials do they use for kites? Do the columbians have spiritual connections with there kites? Do they have any kite Gods? (besides you) Are there any holidays or festivals that revolve around kites? Who flys kites today in columbia, the kids, adults or both? Are there any regional differences in kites or philosophy? What is your role in going to Columbia? Come on, people want to know! Wheres the BEEF? aoxo, John Tavolacci #3 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 16 Aug 1995 03:46:24 -1000 From: djskites@aol.com (Djskites) Message-Id: <40ssrg$go8@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Colombia for the 4th time. Not many people in this world get a chance to visit this wonderful country, and I consider myself very lucky to have survived 4 trips there in the period of only 1 year. This last trip of mine happened to be at the exact same time as the 3rd Colombian International Festival. Miguel Rodrigus, Roger Manning, Jason Robbins, and others were treated to a great trip that I hope you and I get a chance to hear about. I heard a little about their trip my last night in Medellin, and I was told the Colombians were treated to some great flying and demonstrations by the Americans. I am sorry I did not get a chance to travel with them but I had my own agenda. After meeting every one at the Medellin Airport, I quickly started my journey to another city called Bucaramanga. With Buggy(Boogie), Buggy Boat(Boogie Boate) and many foils and kites(Cometas)in hand, I arrived at my final destination the next day. While the other American flyers were traveling around the country side (been there, done that) I was treated to a life of luxury, put up in a first class hotel/Country Club, and shuttled every day to another club (one hour away on bad bumpy dirt roads) where a beuatiful lake and club house awaited me and my hosts. With the boat assembled, the work began. One Colombian had no problem with the buggy boat because he was used to flying a quad foil and the Quad Track 7 easily pulled him across the lake and back. Others had more difficulties, but they sure got their practice winding up lines and paddeling back to shore. Me too! Buggying was difficult, but fun and a big challange. Hills, dirt bike course, and tall weeds made buggying dangerous but exciting as many Colombians got a chance to see this strange sport for the first time. Also, many Colombians now own sport kites both dual and quad foils(my old stock) and it is indeed a pleasure for me to see this sport growing so rapidly in that country. I saw many flyers there with kites I sold them over the past year, and watching their faces, I was again renewed with the joy of flying. Alot of my time was spent waiting for Nacho my host who now has the nickname, Slowcho. Every one seems to run on a different clock, I call it "Colombian Time". The clock runs about 2-3 hours slow. But hey I was at a country club, so after a few lessons I now have a couple of new sports to enjoy, golf and tennis. Yes, I do see a potential for Sport Kite growth in Colombia. A few of them are already doing axels and advanced tricks (I sold them my videos too, please forgive the plug) and talk of competion there is in the air. These people really enjoy their sports! And they are very into this one! After shooting the footage for the new video that will come with the Jam Session and the Maestrale, I keep comparing it to the Stanger video. I only had one location in my filming and this bothered me. So,,,,, I rented a video crew in Colombia and footage of this fasinating country will now be edited in the video. Scenes from the lake and mountains of Bucaramanga Colombia in three different locations will now be on tape for everyone to see.(another ploy to get you to buy my kites). Not all of the Colombians have enough money to buy kites, so kite making is becoming popular as well. I saw some great copies of Jordan Air kites, Aerials, Phantoms, all from pictures alone! I am so excited about the potential down there, I am working with a group now that wants to have a festival in December. I am charged with inviting a few flyers there for about 1 week, and as soon as the logistics are decided on, I will post. This time in Colombia was the most scared I ever was though. The politcal climate is not good. More bombings and masacares, kidnappings are a daily part of life(and death), and now their President is in trouble for his past "aledged" involvement with the Cartel. I saw more Policia, Military combat troops, and security than ever before, but for some reason, they greet me with smiles and I hardly ever get searched! Colombia is not for every one, but I have taken upon myself to risk my well being for the advance ment of kiting. can you believe it? Thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope you enjoyed hearing about it as much as I enjoyed doing it. Dodd = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =