"Nobody can be uncheered by a balloon"

said somebody famous. That was certainly the case at a festival I attended today.  Here's a series of pix in extras on the work involved in raising these massive structures.  I was able to make friends with the owners of that balloon and get myself right in there with them for a slightly different view on ballooning :)

Came home in time to watch the opening ceremonies of the olympics: loved it and the energy that is so specific to Latin America. What a refreshing break from the ongoing political nastiness :)