Preparations for tonight

 Thanks to my wonderful friends from Red Bull Brazil, I am well prepared for the party in Rio tonight - they gave me wiiiiiings! Aaaaaasas!
Also I brought my long white Timezone dress, as it is a customn to dress up in white for new year´s, go into the sea and put some flowers into the sea. I will try to do that, but with an expected 2 million people on the Copacabana beach tonight, it might get a little difficult ;)
Happy New Year to you all, may your wishes for 2014 all come true, may you live your dreams in health, freedom and happiness!

Rio de Janeiro, Timezone GMT -2

Quite a rough northerly breeze and no gliders in sight today, but with lenticular shaped clouds, the sky above Rio looks amazing! Time to rest and shape up for the big night tomorrow!

Back to work

After a wonderful Christmas time in Bremen and Hannover, I go back to work to Frankfurt today. But it couldn´t be any better - I may fly to Rio again! Soon I will meet Guga, Konrad, Fabio and the other Cariocas again, maybe even get to fly with them.
New year´s eve seems to be a really big party at Copacabana, everybody will dress up in white to greet the new year. Hope it won´t rain.

Aida last night of the Proms Bremen

Yesterday I had a great time taking my God daughter out for her first concert to the biggest concert hall in Bremen for "Aida night of the Proms". It was the last concert of the tour this year, so it was even funnier than usual.
The audience in Bremen was a little hard to motivate to jump up and dance, I think the "Baseballs" and Amy McDonald were disappointed, but we worked hard to make up for it, even though we were a few rows back. We had a blast jumping and dancing and singing the songs, celebrating the artists!
John Miles ("music was my first love") was impressive, Mark King the base slap master as ever (Level 42 "Lessons in Love"), but sure my all time favourite is Morten Harket with his mesmerizing, crystal clear voice, presenting a couple of beautiful, dark new solo songs.
Markus Othmer, the presenter of the concert in southern Germany, had to go to Morocco for the game Bavaria Munich won the club World Championships with (poor guy, hard to cope with so much sun...). He handed over to Uwe Bahn who usually works for the radio and TV up here in the north.

Flying into the light

In 2010 we had an exemption that allowed us to buzz through Neuschwanstein Castle, inbetween the towers. Beni towed Guido up, while I launched at Tegelberg take off. The valley breeze stayed on all day so we could soar the castle walls and almost steal the tourists hats (well I´m not quite as talented as John Smith, but Guido could have done that easily). Playing around in the air like two crazy daws was great fun and a special treat.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! NYC, Timezone GMT -5

Quite a bit of snow today in Manhattan, and even more in Brooklyn. Nice for a brief tour through New York city, despite the Christmas shopping rush.

Rome and Prag

After a short trip to Bangalore, I "won" a tour through Europe. Five days through quite rough weather, with lots of delays and very stressed passengers.
I was happy when I caught a few rays of sunshine yesterday in the morning and went for an Italian breakfast: just a cappuccino. One cappuccino at the bar in a cute little bakery in Rome costs - 1€. Perfect start for the day.

Next stop was in Prague, home of Tomas Suchanek, one of the top hang glider pilots ever. Sure I texted him and hoped he is here, but he said he only returns next week from the Oman. He works as a pilot.
So I went downtown on my own, admiring the grand old buildings of this well preserved city. Karlsbridge is famous, and even in this cold, dark weather frequented by many tourists.

Time to go back to work now, my next stop will be Vienna, where I hope to visit some good old friends for breakfast tomorrow morning.