USA: READINGTON: 15TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF BALLOONING
English/Mute
For those who need a fresh perspective on the world, or just some relief from life's stresses, there are few things more relaxing than gliding a thousand feet above it all, in a hot-air balloon.
It's just another day's work for Mel Hanson, a professional balloonist, who joins his team in firing up this giant balloon, a floating advertisement for one of his clients.
The trucking company's balloon is one of 125 taking part in this weekend's 15th annual Festival of Ballooning in Readington, New Jersey, west of New York City.
Thousands of people turn out each year to watch them take off, while some pay 175 dollars to experience the thrill first-hand.
Across the fields, Hanson and the other pilots ignite their gas chargers, inflating their dazzling balloons until they lift into the air.
Up in the late afternoon skylight, Hanson guides the balloon effortlessly from inside his little basket.
Light as a feather and silent as air, it floats over the houses and farms.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Other than the burner, it's the serenity believe it or not. It's just kind of an awesome sight to be out here with all these other balloons, the countryside below us is beautiful, and it's just a wonderful day in the neighborhood.
SUPER CAPTION: Mel Hanson, Balloon Pilot
The wind is calm on this hot summer's day, and the balloons drift over the trees in the sunset.
As the balloons drop down in the quiet neighbourhoods, excited residents rush out to help.
But landing is sometimes tricky, even for Hanson, who's piloted balloons for 23 years.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Once I landed in the bean field of the Illinois State Prison and they were not happy to see me there.
SUPER CAPTION: Mel Hanson, Balloon Pilot
But this time, Hanson lands easily in a swampy batch behind some
houses, and his team is there to greet him.
So were the neighbours, who'd tracked his descent from far away.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
It was wonderful. My kids really loved it was first time they really ever came close to such a balloon. They enjoyed every minute of it.They were saying hi when they were about 200 feet up in the air.
SUPER CAPTION: Craig Turner, resident, Bridgewater, New Jersey
And as the team deflated the balloon, there were plenty of cheers to welcome Hanson back to Earth.
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