A Warning to All Women
Something I didn't think was a huge deal at the time, but in retrospect, probably was, is something I would like to primarily bring up with female pilots.
Yesterday I ended up landing a couple k's from a small town, which I hiked to and was elated when I saw a phone booth. Dissapointingly however, it did not take coins but instead, only phone cards. Nearby was an open building where the locals gather their water, so I ditched my glider and went across the street to a house where an old man was sitting to ask if I could use his phone.
The old man was probably in his late sixties or even early seventies and greeted me quite warmly. In broken French I asked to use his phone and he motioned for me to follow him to his house. We went inside and close to the door was his telephone. I called the number for retrieve, relayed my position, and they said a bus would be on its way.
After returning the phone to the old man, he motioned to the chair, and I think asked if I wanted to sit down. I kindly rejected his offer when he grabbed me and started hugging and kissing me. I pushed him away, but he increased his hold and I quite forcefully had to shove him away and say "no!" I then left with him following me slowly walking with his cane, and I returned to the water place. He walked to the end of the path to his house and stood there, staring at me while his dogs were running wild on the road. It was starting to make me nervous and I figured I needed an exit strategy when with impecible timing, the retrieve bus showed up. Wow, what a relief that was! Thanks Ozone and thanks to a superb bus driver who was in the area!
At the end of the day, I was safe and I didn't get hurt, but I suppose things could have turned out much differently. Generally speaking, I think most people are well intentioned and maybe in this case the old man was just very lonely, but it still surprised me and made me realize how naive I was not having my guard up.
Anyone, men or women, can find themselves with people who are potentially a threat, and this post is just to relay my experience and remind everyone that flying xc paragliding is usually an exciting experience, both in the air and on the ground. But it's good to remember that when landing out we are relying on strangers to help us, and sometimes these strangers have questionable intentions - especially if you are female. It's too bad that I had to be reminded of this in such an unpleasant manner, but better this way than in a situation with more serious consequences.
Fly safe, land safe, and get home safe.
Yesterday I ended up landing a couple k's from a small town, which I hiked to and was elated when I saw a phone booth. Dissapointingly however, it did not take coins but instead, only phone cards. Nearby was an open building where the locals gather their water, so I ditched my glider and went across the street to a house where an old man was sitting to ask if I could use his phone.
The old man was probably in his late sixties or even early seventies and greeted me quite warmly. In broken French I asked to use his phone and he motioned for me to follow him to his house. We went inside and close to the door was his telephone. I called the number for retrieve, relayed my position, and they said a bus would be on its way.
After returning the phone to the old man, he motioned to the chair, and I think asked if I wanted to sit down. I kindly rejected his offer when he grabbed me and started hugging and kissing me. I pushed him away, but he increased his hold and I quite forcefully had to shove him away and say "no!" I then left with him following me slowly walking with his cane, and I returned to the water place. He walked to the end of the path to his house and stood there, staring at me while his dogs were running wild on the road. It was starting to make me nervous and I figured I needed an exit strategy when with impecible timing, the retrieve bus showed up. Wow, what a relief that was! Thanks Ozone and thanks to a superb bus driver who was in the area!
At the end of the day, I was safe and I didn't get hurt, but I suppose things could have turned out much differently. Generally speaking, I think most people are well intentioned and maybe in this case the old man was just very lonely, but it still surprised me and made me realize how naive I was not having my guard up.
Anyone, men or women, can find themselves with people who are potentially a threat, and this post is just to relay my experience and remind everyone that flying xc paragliding is usually an exciting experience, both in the air and on the ground. But it's good to remember that when landing out we are relying on strangers to help us, and sometimes these strangers have questionable intentions - especially if you are female. It's too bad that I had to be reminded of this in such an unpleasant manner, but better this way than in a situation with more serious consequences.
Fly safe, land safe, and get home safe.
posted by Veronica at 3:27 AM
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