Floating by Leonie Jarrett, a celebratory champagne

I close my eyes in the darkness, garnering courage. Opening my eyes, I realise that we have left the ground. As if in slow motion, we are slowly ascending.

There is silence but for the bursts of propane gas and the clicking of cameras.

Terrified of heights, I am nervous to look down but the gentleness of our ascent tempts me. The ground moves further and further away. I count more than fifty hot air balloons but there are plenty more still on the ground, waiting to join us in the air.

The inky blackness is lightening minute by minute as the warm, golden rays of the sun start to fill the sky.

We float over the town of Göreme, still sleeping but for the holidayers who have woken pre-Dawn to watch the balloon show overhead.

We float over fairy chimneys and former cave houses.

We float.

There is still silence but for the bursts of propane gas and the click of smartphones and cameras.

Silence is probably not the right term – silent awe is better I think.

Silent awe at the skill of the hot air balloon pilots. I lose count now at over one hundred balloons in the air together. We are flying so closely together that only pilot skill is keeping us all safe.

Silent awe at the serenity of floating so smoothly. There is no turbulence; no jolting; just floating.

Silent awe at the beauty of what lies beneath us but also at what lies around us. Hot air balloons form a patchwork of all different colours and patterns, all flying at differing heights. A kaleidoscope of colour set against the changing hues of the sky as a new day begins.

My trepidation vanished in the first few moments of flight. I imprint in my memory this scene of vibrant colour and this feeling of tranquil floating.

This is what travel and, indeed, life is about – those moments that remain with us forever.

About the author

 

 

Leonie Jarrett lives in Melbourne, Australia with her Husband of more than three decades, two of her four adult children and her two Golden Retrievers. Leonie is a lawyer and has owned several businesses. Now that she is semi-retired, Leonie is loving writing rivers of words. 

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