One of Mexico’s many charms is its endless capacity to
surprise me. As soon as I started thinking that I’m not left with any more places
left in Mexico to visit to (of course there is still many things to visit but I
have my budget), I found Valle De Bravo.
Thanks to American Congress and even more thanks to my
bosses, who still recognize Labour Day, all my friends were bestowed with a full
weekend. This Labour day was indeed for labours J.
Since the party was
bigger, the things were quite well planned before hand and all I need to do was
to get up by 5:30 AM. After a 2 hours’ drive amidst the foggy countryside of
Mexico, filled with corn fields and early morning smoke coming from villages,
we entered hills. I was not sure exactly
what I was expecting when I decided to visit Valle de Bravo but it has not been
quite as I had imagined. Certainly many Mexican friends had told me it was a
lovely destination, and I could see from the map and from reading guides that
it was located by a large lake, but I had not expected the landscape to have
such a European feeling.
With its high, green, wooded hills surrounding a beautifully
sculpted lake and large fancy houses on the waterfront, I kept having thoughts
of the French Riviera or Swiss/Italian/French lakes. Perhaps because it is
an artificial landscape, it does not feel entirely naturally Mexican in
some way. But however much the landscape may have resonances with old Europe,
the culture is distinctly Mexican. I was expecting the town to be more touristy,
but the town still has a sense of having its own distinctive life and
identity.
We took a boat ride. I don’t know why, but yes we did took a
“slow” boat and we six amigos sailed for an hour. If not those lavish mansions
along the lakeside and a view of town put up in European style, there was
hardly anything to offer to someone who comes from Shaydri Ranges. It would be
an insults to all those waterfall I have ever visited if I say I visited one
here too.
It ended and we headed for next “the” thing, Paragliding. Some
bargaining, a sign and we were up the hill. It was the best weather up there, one
can ask for to glide. Cloudy sky, cool breeze all were making up the things. Except
for that girl, beautiful though, but too scared. Her screams were making us
shaky. Thankfully she flew before us.
As my instructor, Auzo, coached me into takeoff procedures,
I was more than willing to throw myself in to the valley form some 600m height
and then assuming the air will lift me up. He harnessed me and said we will
wait for a strong breeze. When it came, he said run and we ran. Just at the
point of the edge, I felt this huge force catching me and pulling us back. The
wind had fully caught the sails. “Run!” shouted Auzo again. For a moment, it
was like one of those dreams where you try to run but you feel like you are
stuck in thick treacle. Then miraculously we moved forward, gathered pace and
took off.
As we started gliding over the city, it was a view I shall
not be able to pen down here. It was all those we had had to be here, worth of.
I asked Auzo, if I can take controls of glider rope, and to my best he gave that
to me. We then took glider even to further heights. The landing was even more precipitous
than takeoff. When the glider suddenly starts loosing altitudes, and winds
gushes from your ears, you are bound to scream. And finally a butter smooth
landing reconfirmed all those stats Auzo told me of his experience uphill. Of course, being in the air is a wonderful
sensation, and this time I was able to enjoy it more.
Back here in hotel, I’m still reeling under it. Those air
are still gushing in me. It’s like a drug. I have tasted it once, I want it
more.
