[beach]

Hello Family and as I gear up for an event I have to question my own sanity, well question answered
I'm not to sane.......... So I'm getting ready to leave for Dubai in Kuwait to be a part of the wonderful
Persian Gulf festivile and help fly the 3 largest kites in the world and to bring rev flying to the masses over there.
As some of you know I end up at a lot of strange wonderful places but this is sure one for the books and to tell you
the truth I can't wait to get there, I'm just bringing the world together in peace conected to kite lines..... What a
wonderful thought no more wars, just a bunch of people who love kites...... Anyway I leave on the 13th
so if anyone wants me to bring something special just let me know, oh yeah I hear it's a mild 104 in the shade
over there this time of year........ Ben

[DWayne]

I hope you have a safe trip. I'm sure you'll put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.
If you need someone to tote and fetch for you, I'm available.

Denny

[Sailor99]

Check your flights Beach! Dubai is in the UAE I think! Make sure you visit the Burg. Even more important go skiing.......on real snow...in 104F! There's a slope in one of the shopping centres - there's nothing in the world more surreal that skiing past Marks and Spencers and Macys.

[big bri]

Sounds like a good trip to me.Nice thoughts Ben,safe trip.

BRIAN...

[lummas]

Wow Ben that is cool. Dubai is an amazing place. As they say, not in Kuwait though. BUt you should have an amazing time. Good luck and we will be thinking of you.

Mark.

[brad]

Have a safe trip and good winds.

[Watty]

104?? Oh, how I wish I could tag along. It's been in mid 20's to mid 30s here. We still even have 3-4 feet of snow in my front yard.

[Mike]

Ben, I heard this on NPR yesterday. Don't eat a poppy seed bagel before you get on the plane!

http://travel.timeso...icle3333905.ece

[Scott A.]

Hey Ben,
Safe Travels, Happy BDAY, in advance, My wife and you share the same Bday so I can't forget that one!! Sat in 2 weeks I will celebrate with you Ben, in the meantime. I'll be praying for you and Mary, GODSPEED, BRO.
Weider

[antman]

man skiing sounds like fun i havent done that in years .. as for the trip best of luck to you ben have fun out there

[Cath Shook]

Mike, on Feb 10 2008, 04:10 PM, said:

Ben, I heard this on NPR yesterday. Don't eat a poppy seed bagel before you get on the plane!

http://travel.timeso...icle3333905.ece

Hey Ben, after reading the article in Mike's link, maybe you ought to shower with more than your kites - as in wash everything!

Have a great trip and wish we were there!

Cath and her better half, Eliot

[beach]

Hello Family and Im back from a fly of a lifetime, as many of you know I do get around but this trip to Kuwait was beyond
anything I've ever done, This week about 40 very famous folks of kitting gathered together to fly the 3 largest kites in
the world in the Kuwait desert. I could talk about our hosts, or all the fliers, or even the place we flew in but I won't
what I will say is when I saw Old Glory, the Kuwait flag, and the Mega Moon From Japan all flying together for the first
and only time it brought a tear to my eye, then to be a part of this history I felt both humble and proud. Then I thought
to myself why me, then it struck me how could Revolution not be a part of this history. Yes I flew lots of revs and
brought new fliers to the Family but this one was for all of us out there and I'm here to tell the world that dreams do
come true and this last week was an eye opener for this old kite flier because things I could only dream about became
real. To me this is what it's all about, Americans, French, men from Japan, men from New Zeland, Kuwaits, all together
joined by kite string, where men of many religions and different ideas leave it all on the sand to just fly and where the
only thing that matters is the wind........Many of you may never understand what I'm saying or how I feel and if you don't
I have a bit of advice the next time your at an event spend a second to just watch the face of those around you then
by the grace of God you to will understand it's not about what you fly or how well but what you give back to others and
yourself and those little things that just make you smile.......Ben

Attached thumbnail(s)

• 

[Kitelife]

Words of grace Ben, sorry to have missed it.

GREAT PIC - BTW

[KYT ADIK]

Ben,
Sounds like you had a wonderful time...
Know were we might see some more pictures of this amazing event?

[beach]

KYT ADIK, on Feb 21 2008, 07:50 PM, said:

Ben,
Sounds like you had a wonderful time...
Know were we might see some more pictures of this amazing event?

check flickr for photos Ben

[brad]

From the look on your face,looks like you have something new to wear on the flying fields this year.

[Aerochic]

Sounds like an AWESOME way to celebrate a birthday, if you ask me! I'm so happy for you, Ben!

Happy Birthday!!!

[kite.flyer]

KYT ADIK, on Feb 21 2008, 01:50 PM, said:

Know were we might see some more pictures of this amazing event?

Check out Jim Martin's Fotki Page . Jim is the keeper of and safety officer for the US mega flag and took it to Kuwait from Charlotte, NC. There are also some good shots at Dave Gomberg's Weekly Update page. Dave has links to a couple videos as well. It looks like it was an amazing experience!

[Cath Shook]

beach, on Feb 21 2008, 07:04 AM, said:

Hello Family and Im back from a fly of a lifetime, as many of you know I do get around but this trip to Kuwait was beyond
anything I've ever done, This week about 40 very famous folks of kitting gathered together to fly the 3 largest kites in
the world in the Kuwait desert. I could talk about our hosts, or all the fliers, or even the place we flew in but I won't
what I will say is when I saw Old Glory, the Kuwait flag, and the Mega Moon From Japan all flying together for the first
and only time it brought a tear to my eye, then to be a part of this history I felt both humble and proud. Then I thought
to myself why me, then it struck me how could Revolution not be a part of this history. Yes I flew lots of revs and
brought new fliers to the Family but this one was for all of us out there and I'm here to tell the world that dreams do
come true and this last week was an eye opener for this old kite flier because things I could only dream about became
real. To me this is what it's all about, Americans, French, men from Japan, men from New Zeland, Kuwaits, all together
joined by kite string, where men of many religions and different ideas leave it all on the sand to just fly and where the
only thing that matters is the wind........Many of you may never understand what I'm saying or how I feel and if you don't
I have a bit of advice the next time your at an event spend a second to just watch the face of those around you then
by the grace of God you to will understand it's not about what you fly or how well but what you give back to others and
yourself and those little things that just make you smile.......Ben

Very eloquently said Ben! Thank you for writing this. Kite flyers can't change the world ... or can we ?!? Just smile and fly!

Cath

[Baloo]

If Kite flying can join so many nationalities in a large or small way it is a good thing. The more folks can get together and forget any other issues, just be Kite flyers the better.

The sooner the whole World becomes Kite flyers in thier minds, the more comfortable this World of ours will become.

Kite flying should be compulsory, no hang on a bit that is a bit strong!!

At least we know we are an extended family. That is what matters.