Here at Altes Lager, 60 km south of Berlin, we have covered skies and not a great forecast. So far we postponed the briefing to 13.00 hrs because the sky was covered, every now and then a shower. Maybe it will improve a little, maybe not. I would not mind a rest day today, because I have to fly with somebody elses harness and helmet, because Oli forgot my equipment at Skyline ;) at least he brought my glider! And Wolfi sent the harness up today, hopefully it will be here tomorrow.

Today I went up Rauschberg with Chrissy and Stephan to take some aerial shots from my glider. It was the only possible flying day with a bit of sun this week and we were lucky to catch it. At the moment there is already thunder and lightening outside, another huge front will roll through tonight. I really hope they dont get too much rain in Wuppertal, as they will launch the Red Bull X-Fighters event on Saturday. Motocross drivers won´t mind the mud, but the spectators I guess...

Friday August 1st we did have another task on the last day at the World Meet. I was pretty stoked, feeling strong and determined to put a few of these girls behind me on courseline. All my equipment and back issues were behind me, and I knew I finally had a handle on the type of flying required for these mountains. I launched and got up quickly and had lots of company. Everyone was playing nicely today and we waited for the start clock. I kept an eye on Jamie, of course, and tried to leave the safety of Monte Cucco launch but things weren't as lifty on course.

Congratulations to European Champion Elio Cataldi (ITA) - yesterday he won the Slovenian Open in Tolmin, ahead of my favourite Slovenian Pilot Primoz Gricar.

Tonight I will drive to Hamburg with my parents and some friends from my hanggliding club here in Bremen, because I was invited to a sports program of the North German

http://picasaweb.google.com/gottaflyatfrontiernet.net/MonteCucco2008

I have so much more to share about Italy... .Unfortunately, I have lost my voice almost completely (people hang up on me when I answer my phone...) and I am buried at work and at home. Also I am so sad to have it all be behind me and the feeling is so overwhelming, I don't know if I can delve into it without just losing it. I will continue to add some photos to the Picasa page when I have time. I hope they are easy to access.

Earlier this year I spent a month in and around Colima, Mexico. My
brother married a beautiful, sweet Mexican girl from Trojes, in the
mountains above Colima, and our family went to the wedding in this
tiny mountain town.

Today I learned that the lives of the family of my new sister-in-law
are in grave danger from the drug cartel in the mountains. A few days
ago her uncle was been shot and killed and two other other relatives
were shot, but survived. The family has fled their home and everything

....no amount of torture is gonna do it!