October 6, 2016. It is 5 am as I stand in a quiet mass of people on an open field in the middle of New Mexico. The nearing winter mornings creep through every single part of my body. The only thing maintaining the feeling in my hands is the hot chocolate I carefully slurp. At this very moment, the steam from my cup was the only thing that rises into the air, yet that was soon to change.
The quiet mass that surrounded me were, to be exact several hundred passionate hot air balloon owners and helpers who prepared their hot air balloon of different shapes and sizes to rise in the air to the beat of the sunrise. Not just one of the many hot air balloons but all the 500+ hot air balloons are to set off to sunrise.
Ladies and gents, welcome to the world’s largest hot-air balloon festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Getting into contact with locals will always result in a big value gained when you make your way around the earth. Yesterday as we had our first day on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, we got into a chat with the group of Sunny Boy, their beloved hot air balloon, a sun.
That brings us to today, the 7th of October, where I am currently, after finishing my today’s hot chocolate, together with a whole team of wonderful men and women helping to prepare Sunny Boy for take-off.
Incredible to imagine how this big mass is soon to rise into the air guided by the winds. A game between warm air, cold air and the winds as they blow in the very moment the hot air balloon makes its way through the skies.
Getting into contact with locals will always result in a big value gained when you make your way around the earth. Yesterday as we had our first day on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, we got into a chat with the group of Sunny Boy, his their beloved hot air balloon, a sun
That brings us to today, the 7th of October, where I am currently, after finishing my today’s hot chocolate, together with a whole team of wonderful men and women helping to prepare Sunny Boy for take-off.
Incredible to imagine how this big mass is soon to rise into the air guided by the winds. A game between warm air, cold air and the winds as they blow in the very moment the hot air balloon makes its way through the skies.
After many minutes of spreading out the balloon on the ground (mum, do you hear me over there? Yeah? No? Oh well.), throwing on the propeller (oh, there nearly goes my cowboy hat), and several other steps of preparation, we made it just in time.
As the sun had already risen, and the bright skies now awaited the ascendence of all hot air balloons. Sunny Boy straightens up from the ground. There it was, that compassionate hand five we all gave each other. Ohh Yeah!
Sunny Boy seemed cute as we prepared him for his ascend, yet now, where he stands fully straightened out in front of me, I feel like an ant standing in front of a grown human.
I look around me at all 500+ balloons ready for take-off.
Like a salute to earth, as the hot air balloons and their owners are ready for take-off, all balloon owners fire their burners in the cozy morning atmosphere. A moment that grounds you so deeply through the joy and serenity felt.
A moment of incredible allure, like 1,000 candles flickering in the darkness of the night spread on a wide stretch of beach. The sound of the firing gas burner and the cheer of family members.
Now it is time for the balloons, who work by a simple principle of science, to ascend. Let the wind guide you to a beautiful place, Sunny Boy.
The crocodile, the sun, the zebra, the dragon, the dog, the little fat man upside down, all of them rise up into the air to present to earth the greatest show it will see today and the upcoming 7 days left of this fiesta.
Speaking of zebras, there are felt 300 zebras spread out on this big and fresh green field filled with colourful hot air balloons. What? How? Well, I am talking about the men and women who decide, based on knowledge and wisdom, when each hot air balloon may start to rise. Sounds funny, yet don’t let the wording fool you. To be a zebra here at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Is a big honor and privilege.