I haven't posted in a while but it doesn't mean a lot hasn't happened. In fact how do I cover what has happened and not miss all the important bits? September I was flying in Pakistan with 2 friends Oriol (Spanish) and Paul (English) it was great to be back enjoying the people and the flying in Booni. Then it all changed, I was preparing my wing to launch, Oriol had climbed out high above, Paul was working a thermal close to the hill. Paul lost control of his glider and crashed. As I made my way across the steep rocky slope to him I wasn't sure if he was alive or dead, when he talked calmly and I knew he wasn't going to die everything was ok. Well, his L-2 vertebrae was crushed and the bone splinters pushing against his spinal cord had paralysed him from the waist down, he was in a lot of pain. But you see he was alive, and 
everything was ok. I remember thinking at one point during the rescue, when this is over I'm going to drop out for a while, do a vipassana course and get my head together. 7 days later he was on an air ambulance back home to the UK, Oriol and I never left his side and Oriol accompanied him on the flight to england. Those 7 days require a story of their own. I cannot begin to thank all the people who helped, especially the amazing people in Pakistan who made rescue, treatment, and repatriation a reality. Without their help it couldn't have been done. My heart is filled with love every time I think about the difficult journey and all those who helped in our time of need. I am humbled.
Immediately after I went to Bhutan where I met my Mom and Ken (my step dad) for whom was their firs
t visit to the Himalaya's and my first visit to a country I've been dreaming of for years. Doing a 12 day all inclusive paragliding trip with Adam Hill and Frontiers paragliding was just what I needed. No hassle, no decisions to be made and an unspoiled paradise with unique flying was the right prescription after the stress of the Pakistan trip. My Mom and Ken loved it as much as I did. Flying is in my family's blood because my mom, who's afraid of heights, loved her first experience from the moment we left the ground. Getting to share my love of flight with all my family has been so amazing, no longer trying to explain why I do it, once in the air it makes sense and they can understand why I choose this life.
Without a stop I was back to Bir India for my first serious paragliding competition. The comp was a learning experience, just a little advice for anyone in their first comp, "Don't leave low and in front of the lead gaggle!" I'll look forward to another experience in the future, it's a great opportunity to work on building patience and humility.The more interesting story was that 5 friends from Pakistan were invited as special guests. The camaraderie of the flying community extends beyond borders and nationalism. To see Pakistanis in India shaking hands and being welcomed by Indian military personnel was... well it was just awesome! It gives hope and reassurance in
the inherent goodness of humans and our ability to get along and get past differences when we find common ground.
From there I went to Bangalore where I fell in love, an amazing girl I met last year, finally the time was right to spend some time together. Only staying for a week because I needed to get back to Pokhara Nepal and start making some money. November the tandem business was in full swing and so were Parahawking flights. It was a great time to catch
up with friends and share the love of flying with tourists from many countries. Kevin, the Egyptian vulture, has learned and matured over the last year, how lucky am I to have him as a flying partner! 5 weeks later without a day off I was ready to leave Nepal and take a break from flying. I was excited to return to Bangalore to see where this new romance would lead. And for that another post.. soon!
