confessions of a bad blogger
I prefer to do my housework in style!
I admit it, I’ve been a bad blogger. I spent three months in Africa and only blogged twice. I’m very sorry. You can take comfort in the fact that every time I go to bed (quiet time to remember everything I forget) I suffer from pangs of guilt. I, however, take some (though not nearly enough) comfort in the fact that I’ve at least been active in sharing stuff on Facebook :-)
But there is sooooo much more I need to share with you! The inside scoop on the tandem business, training to become a tandem pilot, how to become a legends sidekick, how I broke an XC record in South Africa, spotlanding on vehicles, personal safety in SA, sex ‘education’ in SA schools, local life… and more!
But first an update of what’s happening at the moment:
At this moment in life I am spending my days in Nice, France. My first week here I worked full days freelancing at a graphic design studio. Unfortunately they dont have enough projects to keep me full time… which is why in my second week here I am now sleeping till ten, lazily enjoying a warm croissant while working on blogging (yes, finally) and Facebooking and watching CNN. (I don’t usually watch news and now I remember why: there is no positive side to life according to news reporters.)
Why am I in Nice?
Because I can stay with my mum and attend her yoga classes, for free (thank you mum!)
Because I had a better chance of finding a job here than in Iceland.
Because the chances of flying are better here at the moment.
Plan in Nice?
Make money to pay for past adventures.
Fly solo.
Make futuristic plans.
And then?
Meet up with a group of 7 Icelandic pilots on Dune du Pyla in middle May. Yay!
Return to the Icelandic flying summer by end of May. Yay!
Plan in Iceland?
Fly solo, fly tandem, fly, fly, fly!
Find a job and earn enough money to make it to Italy end of September, for the WPO.
And then?
Back to Africa!
So, while I’m sitting here waiting to be called into work again… what would you like me to share with you first?
Like this:
pilot profile / Anna, 41, Italy
Anna flying in the South of France
The third Womens Paragliding Open is just around the corner and the Italian organiser is local pilot Anna Capodaglio. We got her to answer a few questions about herself.
Name
Anna Capodaglio
Age
41
Where do you live / where do you come from
Milano, Italy
Employment
With my husband I have a company of digital signage and next month I’m opening a second hand shop for children’s toys, clothes etc.
With husband Luca on take-off
Marital / family status / is your partner a pilot? I’m married and my husband is a pilot
Do you have or want children in the future?
I have not children and I don’t want it
What does ‘Freedom’ mean to you? What gives you freedom?
Freedom is the possibility to decide anythings by myself without waiting for some other people to say to me what is better to do or what I can’t do.
If you had one wish in the world, what would it be? For yourself or anyone or anything?
I think it could be very nice to enjoy life 24/24 when you are young and start to work when you are aged…
Snoopy goes tandem
When, how and why did you start paragliding?
I tried a tandem and decided to start to fly, in 2007
Why do you still do it?
I still do it because it’s a ‘race with myself’ for go further than my limits
Do you prefer XC, acro, soaring…? and what are your goals in paragliding?
I like XC and my goal is to do any year more than last year
Glider?
Gin Sprint Evo
Harness?
Advance Impress 2
Vario / gps?
Very old… I’m waiting to change them! Flytec and Garmin XC
Do you log your flights?
I don’t log all my flights… only the best…
Memorable flying experience: the best one?
My first 50km!!! Last year near Dolomites.
How do you handle fear? Flying, on take-off, etc?
I try to manage the fear by being well prepared on everything I do; for example, before I get to take off safely wherever, I practiced a lot with the inflations. I try not to let too many things ‘to chance’ but to make them ‘mine’ a little at a time.
What’s next / coming up in your life?
I’m organizing the Women’s Paragliding Open, a competition for women only!!!
www.agerwomensopen.com
WPO on Facebook
Join the Facebook Event
Anna's other passion
Anna also bakes creative cakes... maybe we will see a WPO one in September ;-)
Like this:
The perfect time to blog!
Sunset landing after reaching Table Mountain from Lions Head.
I’ve been here in Cape Town for just over a month now, and all that time I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to write a witty and well thought out blog. About how awesome it is here, how lovely the people are, the office on the mountain, the flying, the beaches, the interesting characters I work with, my new flip-flop tan line, my room, the quirky cafe’s, the outdoor gym, the fact that I have a cleaning lady, the art around town, the architecture, the motorbike, Christmas in the sun, waking up at 4am… but there is no perfect time. Between work and well… work… when I have some time to myself I just want to go out and enjoy the world!
I’m barely skimming the surface of socially acceptable minimum digital requirements: replying to friends and family e-mails and updating Facebook profiles. So, the new plan is that there will be no perfect blogs, just blogs… like this one I’m typing now while enjoying my perfect Cappuccino and warm croissant at a perfect outdoor cafe by the sea. While a hopeful dog with a cowboy scarf begs me for a bite. Sorry dude, this croissant aint big enough for both of us!
Before I put on my helmet and whisk myself away to new adventures on the Moto Mia I wish you all a happy New Year and thanks for keeping in contact, reading, commenting… just for being there. May 2012 bring you everything you wish for… and world peace! ;-)
I now live in a city where…
I now live in a city where people sing as they walk along the street, they smile at you and say hello, how are you? and they have all the time in the world, just for you. I now live in a city I have just begun to explore but fell in love with on the first day.
I now live in a city where…
... people stand on the back of trucks.
... they make Wildebeest, Crocodile, Zebra, Ostrich and Springbok paté.
... rugged fencing and alarm systems come as standard.
...they sell Olde World Icelandic Cod Liver Oil, or as we prefer to call it, Lýsi.
... what they call Black Taxis are white minivans packed with black people, shared taxis for R5, $0.6
... you can buy the Bible in the Supermarket, R75, 1.000 ISK, €7, £6, $9
... the trees are as laid back as the people.
... condoms go together with childrens stickers.
I now live in Cape Town and I experience something new every day :-)
Like this:
pilot profile / Elín, 37-47, Iceland
Skógarfoss, 2008
Name?
Elín Guðrún Gunnlaugsdóttir
Age?
37 or 47, being sagittarian I don’t think about age too much. Anyway, I’ve lived half my life already but feel like I’ve just started enjoying it these past two years.
Where do you live / where do you come from?
I live in Reykjavík but am born and bread on the farm Hellnar at Snæfellsnes.
Employment / studies / what you want to be when you grow up?
I am a self-employed architect and did my degree in Germany. I always meant to become an archeologist, veterinarian or farmer. But I am very happy with my career choice which is also my hobby.
Marital / family status / is your partner a pilot?
I’m divorced, but it’s been a while now since I looked under my bed for a prince charming who might be hiding there!
Do you have or want children in the future?
I am childfree. I just never felt it was the right time for me, even though my ex-husband offered to fully take care of the child if we were to have such a thing! I think it would be a rather high risk for any child to have me as a mother!
As Heidi at the costumed spotlanding comp, 2011.
What does ‘Freedom’ mean to you? What gives you freedom?
I consider being able to make my own decicions and to do things myself without too much planning really good fate, or freedom. Being your own boss at work also gives you a certain sense of freedom.
If you had one wish in the world, what would it be? For yourself or anyone or anything?
Being healthy is number one. Many doors close if your’e not healthy. I want to be able to experience new things, experiences I can learn from and enjoy at the same time. To be able to combine my work and hobbies. Ideally, I’d like to have to work 6 months of the year only to be able to finance everything I want to to for enjoyment and fun. I think many people would prefer such a life!
—
When, how and why did you start paragliding?
I saw a paraglider for the first time in 1995 in France and decided I wanted to give it a try. I then learned to paraglide in Germany in 1996, but it wasn’t until 2003 when back in Iceland that I bought a wing and really started to fly.
Why do you still do it?
It’s difficult to describe to non-pilots but flying gives me a somewhat mental inspiration and I’ve noticed that when I’m feeling a bit sad, irritated or just downright pissed off that flying picks me up right away and I feel completely revitalised. Worries and gloom completely vanish and I’m all smiles and in a happy mood. Magnificent!
Do you prefer XC, acro, soaring…? and what are your goals in paragliding?
It varies a lot according to my mood. Sometimes I enjoy soaring in good weather and beautiful scenery but I’d say I’m more interested by XC. I’ve never really done acro but assume I would enjoy because of the full-on adrenalin boost. Anyway, I love doing deep spirals which is rather easy!
Glider?
Airwave Sport 3, DHV 1-2, size S
Harness?
SupAir
Vario / gps / radio / camera / other electronics while flying?
Flytec 4005 / Garmin GPS map 60CXSx / YAESU VX-3 / Contour HP 1080P / Skywatch windmeter
Do you log your flights, how many hours / flights do you have?
Unfortunately I didn’t start logging until a year ago and I regret not starting earlier. I have no records of how much I’ve been flying through the years.
Snæfellsjökull glacier, 2009. Elin flies through a heart-shaped cloud, descriptive of her love of this flight.
Memorable flying experience: the best one? the worst one?
My most memorable flights are from my first flying trip abroad, to France (Laragne) in 2003, but especially the flight in Monaco. Flying over the houses and swimming pools and then landing on the beach between the sunbathers was brilliant. But my most precious flight is the one off Snæfellsjökull in 2009, as it turned out I was the first person to paraglide off the glacier.
My most horrible life experience was hitting cloud suck in Medellin, Colombia, in 2005.
How do you handle fear? Flying, on take-off, etc?
Weirdly enough I’m not afraid to die but I do fear injuries or paralysis. It’s been a long while since I felt fear in flight and when I find myself in uncomfortable situations I’ve thankfully kept calm. I sometimes feel uneasy on take-off when launching in strong wind. But I also get a bit of a kick from the fear. I always remember what my friend said once when I experienced a slight shock and didn’t become anxious or nervous: Elín, are you one of those people who go numb when you are supposed to be stressed out? But this describes me well as I’m seldom agitated or obviously scared… apparently I manage to keep my ‘cool’ … at least on the surface.
What’s next / coming up in your life?
I’m going to continue building up my business. At the moment I’m working on design competitions with a colleague. I was planning to go on a paragliding trip somewhere during the holidays but I’ve had to postpone it to February and already have my flight ticket :-)
Anything else you want to add?
I believe I inherited my fascination for flying from my late father. What I’m experiencing now with my glider is something I’m sure my father would have wanted to experience too, so my mind is often with him when I’m flying.
Like this:
Safety in Cape Town?
I’ve received many and varied responses upon informing family and friends (and sometimes innocent bystanders) of where I’m going. Everything from Wicked! to Are you nuts?! Some people tend to think of Cape Town as the tourist destination of choice if one is aiming to get murdered, and have sworn off ever going to South Africa. I’ve been warned that it’s not a question of if I’ll get mugged but when.
So I did a quick Google search on Safety in Cape Town and here are my findings:
Cape Town usually ranks high on various lists for the most dangerous cities in the world, though it didn’t make it to the top ten list for 2011 where an American city comes in third: St. Louis, Missouri… swearing off America, anyone?
Kidnapping, murder, robbery, rape, hijacking and drug warfare are words commonly used to describe the city… but so are visually breathtaking, eclectic cuisine, great nightlife and shopping, miles of sugary beaches, history and sights, exceptionally friendly and helpful locals.
People sharing info on the internet seem to either find the city rather safe (applying common sense safety measures) or count themselves lucky to get out alive. One site I found, although a bit sketchy, illustrates rather well, I think, in it’s comments section, all the contrasting info out there on Cape Town safety.
In 2005 an Icelander was murdered in South Africa. He was shot dead and the body cemented in a rubbish bin. But that was in Johannesburg.
The typically issued safety tips, I’d apply this anywhere though:
. Try not to carry large amounts of cash and be discreet with expensive cameras, jewellery etc.
. Do not walk in deserted areas, especially after dark and always park in designated, well-lit areas.
. When driving, keep your doors locked and while parked lock your belongings in the boot (trunk).
. Ask locals or your hosts to advise you on areas that should be avoided.
. More extensive and dramatic but non-the-less perhaps useful tips here.
. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has extensive safety advice here.
. WordTravels forum offers advice on how safe Cape Town is from actual people living there.
My own conclusion is parallel to one commenters offer of advice:
Cape Town is safe enough if you take precautions. There are really two cities here, but the crime stats blend them together. The poor communities of the cape flats see 95% of the crime while the city centre and suburbs are pretty safe in terms of violent crime.
I’ll take all this advice in, stay out of danger zones and the dark, avoid ATM’s in the night, stick to my penny-less parabum fashion style, insure all my equipment and embrace Cape Town as it is, with it’s beautiful mountains, beaches and people.
6 days to go!
Sidenote: Very good and not Cape Town exclusive anti-theft tips for travellers here.
South African Adventure
Photo nicked from the Para Taxi FB wall. www.para-taxi.com
How it came about:
Four weeks ago Para Taxi contacted The Flying Effect in need of tandem pilots ASAP, they had seen our ‘cry for a PG job’ on the Paragliding Forum. As I am unfortunately not a tandem pilot yet I suggested that if they needed a retrieve driver, assistant, intern or whatever… in a couple of months (as I’d just taken on a big freelance graphic design job and I really needed to make some (or a lot of) money to cover my last travelling stint and a new glider) … I’d be there.
They immediately wrote back saying they actually did have an opening for an internship, ASAP. So, naturally, I threw my well paid option to the wind and eagerly replied Yes, please! We spoke on Skype, came to an agreement and I booked a flight to South Africa. This is the kind of opportunity you don’t shy away from when it comes falling at you from the sky!
The Internship:
Para Taxi, Cape Town, South Africa, 6 months.
I will learn all about running a PG company by being immersed in the daily operations of a PG company.
I will get the chance to train as a tandem pilot.
I will fly in freakin’ South Africa!!! :-)
I will see, live and breathe in a new-to-me country and it’s culture.
And last but not least, hopefully my skills from previous jobs and life experiences will benefit the company and the team.
Ása and her brand new Niviuk Hook 2
What about Ása?
Ása is going to enjoy winter flying in Iceland on her new Hook, pursue her other passion which is graphic design and spend time with family. She is an adorable little Christmas child at heart who spent last Christmas alone in a 3 star hotel in Agadir, Morocco (while I was stuck in Arcachon, France, supposedly on my way over but never made it, that sucked) and the Christmas before that she was freakily ill with food poisoning in Pokhara, Nepal (with me force-feeding her salt-solutions and running out for more toilet paper). Good times, for sure, but she’s more than ready to spend this holiday season being merrily fed Christmas brew and running out for more wrapping paper.
I know her witty posts and grinning face will be missed from this webpage so I’ll be sharing news of her here from time to time.
8 days to go!
anitahaf
Ása
