Flying High: Paragliding in Lima, Peru

On Sunday, Drew and I decided to splurge and take a full day to learn how to paraglide with AeroXtreme Paragliding School (who we would highly recommend).

All geared up for take off!

The day began with about a 45 minute drive to the Sand Dunes of Lurin where we got a quick lesson on the controls, set up the gliders, and began to fly!

Drew and I each got the chance to do five solo flights over the dunes and they were awesome! The only bad part was hiking back UP the dunes after the flight was over. But knowing you got to fly down again was enough motivation!!

Check out my first attempt here:

Our instructor, Michael, told me that I had one of the best first flights he'd ever seen, and that I must have been a bird in a past life!

After our solo flights we drove to another site in Pachacamac where we would complete a tandem flight with our instructor. This flight began by running off the side of small mountain (or large hill, depending on your perspective.) The flight was longer - about 20 minutes for me - and completely different. We were just along for the ride on this one so the focus was really just taking in the views and enjoying the fact that we were flying among the birds. It wasn't really adrenaline pumping, but it was serene, peaceful and beautiful. A truly unique and mesmerizing experience.

My tandem flight and another paraglider above 

Flying high about Pachacamac

Drew flying!

Drew coming in for a landing

Taxis in Peru: A Cheap Thrill

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If you know me relatively well you know that I love adventure and am an a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I've been skydiving twice, bungee jumping once, parasailing, ziplining, white water rafting, am a certified advanced scuba diver, and pretty much want to try everything and do anything that I have the opportunity to do. Sunday I added paragliding to that list. And today...I wouldn't call it an adventure sport, but (who knew?!) a cheap adrenaline rush can be gained from a taxi ride to the airport! Who needs coffee in the morning? Brave a ride on the streets of Lima and you're more likely to need a glass of wine when you make it to your destination.

A few (unwritten?) rules about driving in Lima:

1. The white lines in the road are merely suggestions. It might look like there are only three lanes, but you can easily squeeze in a fourth, and in urgent situations, probably a fifth.
2. Break lights in front of you? Quickly analyze your options and move to the left or right before you actually hit the car that is stopping (for whatever reason) and get into the lane that is still moving. There is always one that is moving!
3. When making a left hand turn into multi-lane roads, if the cars in front of you are not able to turn, simply go around them (on their left) and squeeze in front of them so that you can make the turn and they have to wait when the light turns red.
4. People in the street? Beep your horn to let them know you aren't slowing down. They'll move.
5. Dogs in the street? Beep your horn to let them know you aren't slowing down. They'll move.
6. Cars in front of you going to slow? Beep your horn to let them know you aren't slowing down. They'll move. And if not, refer to number 2. If that doesn't work, you can always pass on the right. Officially, that might not be part of the road, but it's OK.  The dirt doesn't feel much different than the road anyway. Just keep your eye out for more pedestrians and dogs on the side. They are a bit of a nuisance.