Inspired by the spectacular mountains just behind Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, I decided to try a tandem hang gliding experience. Since this is a totally unregulated activity, my guide suggested selecting one of the older pilots, someone who had passed the Darwinian "licensing" process.
So, I selected a pilot either with 22 years of experience or who had moved to Rio 22 yrs ago -- my Portuguese language skills are nil.
So, after a harrowing ride up the mountain in a 1969 VW Beetle, he gave me three quick pre-flight instructions:
1- "no matter what, when run down the launch ramp do not stop. You stop, we dies."
2- "do not hold too tight my neck. You hold too tight, I not able to turn, we dies."
3-"do not touches the bar for steering. You touches, I lose control, we dies."
With complete clarity of communication established, we gleefully raced down the ramp and into the sky over Rio.
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