Let me just say it as it is; I have seen and experienced a lot in Italy. But not many things come in line with the experience of standing in the early morning between  hills and valleys,

sunflowers and olive trees,and witnessing more than 50 hot air balloons, going up and into the air one after another.

As the sun rose up in the east, and the fog of the night slowly evaporated, there we stood; On a long, narrow piece of asphalt just outside Gualda Cattaneo. By a form of park / fishing lake called Parco Acquarossi. Around us was a deafening noise. Because that is how it sounds when more than 50 hot air balloons are filled with hot air.

Quietly the big colored silk balloons popped up from the ground. Became more full. More round. More impressive. Until they  had so much air in themselves that they slowly got up from the ground and pointed toward the sky, as if they could not wait to get up there.

People around the big balloons each and every one had enough to do – make sure that they fullfilled their tasks. Some obviously had the responsibility to ensure that the balloons didn’t leave ground before the pilot was in the basket. Others tested the gas tanks that keep the airborne ships working properly. And yet others ran on and off with either ballast, walkie talkies and other things. Only we stood still, as we tried to digest the many impressions that kept hitting in on us.

One thing was the first balloon in the air! One can not quite say that it was without notice. However, contrary to the entire preparation phase, the first climb is almost silent. Gracefull.
And after that more ballons flew up in the air. In no time the sky was filled with colored balls. Some striped. Some pricked. Some with patterns. Some with advertisements. One big explosion of colors at different heights in the air.

And while the sun’s rays had erased the last little fog banks, we moved to the top of a field and just enjoyed the sight, that photographs are not even close to being able to reproduce.
It’s not the last time that we will go to Gualda Cattaneo when the annual Sagrantino Cup happens in July.
It was simply perfectly spectacular and in the absence of better words; Mind blowing!