The weather was just perfect, and before the balloon launch we enjoyed the carnival food and live band. When it was time to launch, we were allowed to go right up to the balloons. We found the perfect spot right in the middle, and when they all started to inflate, we were surrounded on all sides by beautiful hotair balloons... so close you could reach out and touch them. And when they took off, they went right overhead. Even Vassil commented on how cool that was!
I'm not sure how many balloons launched (since they all went at once it was hard to count), but there must have been at least thirty or maybe even more! Elizabeth only got scared once, and that was when she was on Vassil's shoulders and a balloon launched practically right overhead. Other than that she loved the balloons, and loved practicing her new favorite word... "Up! Up!"
The funnest part, however, wasn't the balloons, but was watching Elizabeth socialize with thousands of people. Vassil and I took turns following Elizabeth around since she was dying to run and explore. She would go up to each family and say "Hiiii!" and wave a few times and smile. If they were interesting (i.e. were kids or had food) she would stay awhile, otherwise, she was on to the next family and would repeat this process over and over again. One woman commented on how social she was... and a tough, biker-looking gentlemen even made the comment, "She's an independent one, I know that!" During her playtime as social butterfly for the event, she found this family of little boys, and their set of matchbox cars. Needless to say, she didn't want to leave!
All in all, it was a fun day had by all and something we will have to do again in the future!
