I often dream that I’m flying. Not in a plane, not with wings—just me, floating freely, weightless among the clouds. These dreams always leave me with a smile on my face and a soft, silly sense of happiness that lingers long after I wake up. There’s something deeply peaceful about being up there, hovering above it all. In those moments, I feel light, fearless, and blissfully detached from the noise of everyday life and completely indifferent to all the humanity problems.

Flying in a hot air balloon has been on my bucket list forever. There’s something so romantic and old-worldly about it. If I were a man, I think that’s how I’d propose—soaring gently over a sleepy countryside, the world quiet beneath us, popping the question in the sky.Yesterday, as I was fussing with the new curtain in the bedroom, I looked out the window and caught sight of a bright yellow hot air balloon floating above the rooftops. My heart instantly whispered, “Lucky them.” I stood there for a moment, lost in the sky, and thought, I want that too.

They say that dreaming of flying is a good omen—luck, longevity, even honors if you’re rising into the sky. A wise old man once told me that. Whether or not it’s true, I like to believe it. There’s something inherently hopeful about flying dreams. They remind me to stay light, open, and curious.

Did you know that hot air ballooning is the oldest form of human flight? The mechanics are beautifully simple: hot air rises, and so does the balloon. A typical balloon holds up to 500 kilograms and is made up of a giant envelope (the balloon itself), a basket (traditionally wicker, now often a lightweight synthetic), ropes, and a burner to heat the air inside. To lift off, you need around 65,000 cubic meters of hot air. Physics with a touch of magic.

One of my favorite real-life flying stories is that of Larry Walters. On July 2, 1982, Larry fulfilled his lifelong dream of flying—not in a plane, but in a lawn chair. Yes, you read that right. He strapped 45 helium-filled weather balloons to a regular patio chair and launched himself into the sky, reaching an altitude of 4,600 meters (that’s over 15,000 feet!). He was up there for 45 minutes before landing—dramatically—by getting tangled in some power lines. Amazingly, he made it down safely.

Larry had wanted to be a pilot but was rejected by the U.S. Air Force due to poor eyesight. At just 13, he came up with the balloon idea after seeing weather balloons in a military surplus store. Wild? Definitely. Brave? Absolutely. Unforgettable? Without a doubt.

So, maybe you’re not quite ready to take the Larry route (though if you’re curious, check out clusterballoon.org for some wonderfully eccentric adventures). But maybe, like me, you just want to float a little. To dream a little. To feel the world quiet down below as you chase the sky.

One day, I’ll tick that hot air balloon ride off my list. Until then, I’ll keep flying in my dreams.