Date:	Tue, 13 Dec 1994 12:35:20 -1000
From:	djskites@aol.com (Djskites)
Message-Id: <3cl7j8$2f2@newsbf01.news.aol.com>
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Subject: Columbia, not just for drugs

When we think of Columbia, we tend to think of violence, drug cartel, and
Jon Velidez. 
I did't see any of them. Accept for Jon, he says Aloh.
I just returned from 2 weeks of flying kites in Medellin Columbia and in
the mountains surrounding this city in a valley. The people are warm(so is
the weather) and friendly. And they love kites! Single line mostly, but to
me a kite is a kite. 
My job was to promote kiting as much as possible and to  teach as many
potential dual line flyers as I could. The winds are tough and unsteady,
but I accept this and any challenge. I found out that you can fly just
about anywhere you put your mind to. The first challenge was to buggy on
top of Bolodar hill which is located in the middle of the city. Traveling
at 30mph in a short space on a small concrete road while trying to keep
the foil from hitting the steep incline in front of me was a challenge to
say the least. Although I wore pads and a helmet, cuts and scrapes were
the price I paid. The second challenge was flying at the old airport for
an air show. They said no planes would be landing while I gave a Buggy
Demo. They lied. Close call. I didn't give a Demo the next day.
Third challenge, fly in a deep valley for the school children. 360's were
mandatory becuse that is the way the 10mph wind went. around and around
and around.
next challenge. Fly on top of another hill for more children. I mean on
top of a hill.
Well, the kids(nino's) liked it.
The next challenge was doing a national TV interview with no interperter.
FUN! They showed my video,  but I doubt to many understood it.
THe last one was flying my Aerial and also buggying with a Quadtrack 8 in
front of 55 thousand screaming soccer fans at half time in a outside
stadium on National TV for thier finals. All I can say is that I'm glad I
had practice in all those bad winds and my team won. YEAH
Thanks to the wonderful people, Yarippa, and the children of Columbia for
giving me the best time I have ever experienced in my entire life! I'm
comming back soon! Hasta la vista

Dodd Gross



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