Hot Air in the Jardin

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

We heard from the locals that a hot air balloon was going to lift off from the Jardin the next morning at 7am. We somehow managed to wake up that early and rushed up to see it. Hot air balloons aren't normally launched from the center of town, but it looks like an exception was made here because it was being filmed for a Canadian art TV show. As you can see, the balloon is as big as the Parroquia (the cathedral)!

First the balloon is unrolled on the ground and the basket is placed on its side and attached. A big fan is used to mostly fill the balloon with air. Heating the air with a huge flame finishes the job.

Most people were right next to the balloon taking photos up until it lifted off. I ran around the Jardin instead to capture the balloon from the side and different angles before it flew away. The silhouettes of the geometrically cut trees framed the balloon in unusual ways (in more photos than I've posted here). I like how the size of the balloon is emphasized when seen towering over the trees and with the Parroquia just peeking out from behind.