So, another day we went up to Monte by cable car. We were deciding whether to come down by cable, bus or taxi, when a fourth option occured to us: we could all squeeze into a wicker toboggan and be pushed down the mountain instead. Because crossing main roads in a basket would be fun.
The set-up is that you're in a toboggan (some had holes in the floors, but ours was pretty intact). There's a guy on either side, dressed like they should be punting down the Cam. They have some rope-pulley-système going. Going around corners feels like you're in a lemon box; you can hear every inch of the wood creaking under the pressure.
The best bit was coming to a main intersection: we could see two cars, hear a third, and there was an auld fellah crossing the road at his leisure. No attempt was made to adjust our speed. Bring it on!!
Thanks to Shona for unclutching one hand to film the whole experience. Brilliant!
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3 comments:
Ha ha! Here they'd probably let you hug a beanbag in your lap to help absorb the impact. I'm sure they'll be dobbed in to EU Central Safety Regulations eventually, but it sure was fun!
I believe I said on the way down (you probably can't make it out because of the hysterical nervous giggling) that "imagine Americans with their lawsuit-centric mindsets geting on one of these".
On a related note: we were in Barcelona last year in February for a conference. We happened to come across a most amazing festival: people parade through the streets with fireworks on spinning rods, and strapped to themselves (contraptions on their heads and backs). Goes on for quite a while, and you just stand beside the street as they go by.
The most amazin thing is: they're nearly all kids. Yes - kids!!!
Myself and Alan (who were watching) just thought: you'd never EVER be allowed to do this in most countries, especially the US. Pity. See a version on youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUiBZFpILp4&mode=related&search=
Bloody hell!! I thought the flaming tar barrels in Ottery was a bad idea, but at least they're carried by grown-ups. Do you think they have public liability insurance? I'm fretting now...
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