Taking off is the best part of flying for me. Of course, there is the mini bar and the prospect of a movie marathon devoid of commercial interruptions.

 Even so, it was hard to disguise that sinking feeling in my stomach when I strung on a bunch of ropes (albeit strong) and a piece of cloth (yes, special kind) and took off on a paragliding flight near Phulchowki. Once up in the air it was even harder to resist brimming with happiness at my own little triumph against gravity. Mother Nature may not have given us wings but she gave us damn good physicists and occasionally throws in good wind allowing a glider to soar high and try some air acrobatics. 

After all, aren't air pressure, thermal patterns, and wind—all crucial in making a successful flight—parts of nature? I would have to concede that nature beats us in many occasions.

As the noted aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart said. "You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky."

For the full story: http://www.wavemag.com.np/issue/article3464.html