VELOCITY

One earth shattering phobia that has every orifice contract, dry up and curl in its wake, is my fear of heights.  One afternoon, finger pressed on “Buy” and miraculously my Amex Card gave me no alternative but to face my fear.   The trip was a present to myself.  As every psychologist knows, the way to heal yourself is to confront your fears. 

Its Sky diving in Perth, Australia is where my Amex card committed me.  No refund, only everyday until DDay was one anxious level increasing to its crescendo until the very last moment, trembling, I was on the ledge ready to  jump.  To everyone it sounds like a bucket list but in reality I wanted to do something extraordinarily against my will.   

Perth, Western Australia is a community of immigrants from Greeks to Vietnamese. Perth is a beautiful city, the sky is clear, the ocean inviting and the variety of wine choices beckoning.  Travelling  on the spur of the moment, impulsive actions gains spontaneity in life, my inner voice placating my already shaking nerves.  Tearing myself apart from Freemantle market, and the ordinary Perth life, I dabbled with my Maker.

A weekend of freedom, I hasten to add more excitement with the audaciousness of not telling loved ones of where I was going and even what I was doing.  I did look into my life insurance policy, and it did not cover Sky-diving.  Shrugging it off, it seemed in retrospect a very selfish undertaking.

Bruce, none other, picked me up at the airport.  His blond tuff, attractive golden skin came complete with a wash board stomach, only marred by his broad Aussie accent as I strained to understand his colloquialism.   Straight to my hotel with an early start before sunrise.

They talk about wind, about temperature, about velocity.   All of the talks just didn't hold.  I was oblivious.

My adventure was worth every penny spent, spell bounding but yet I still fear heights.  Lost in this thrilling excitement, my breaths were not deep, I had remind myself to take in more oxygen.

My sky diving Advertisement assured me anyone, young old, can experience the exhilaration:

"with the advances in design of the parachute, including HAHO (high altitude, high opening) chutes as well as smoke jumping chutes which open at very low altitudes, people of all ages, sex, size, and skill are jumping out of airplanes."

I opted for a tandem jump which leaves the professional (Bruce) in charge.  I was attached with him on a double harness.

The moment we belly jumped, my world of safe haven, my cocoon-like life did not exist - I was with Bruce and God.  The euphoria that comes about one VERY LONG minute into the ride cannot be described with superior adjectives.  It is your very being angrily fighting gravity, then seemingly floating, then, what does anything matter? The fear left me only momentarily with my heart pounding out of my mouth only to discover, a fatal heart attack mid-air could be a splendid way to depart.

Would I press repeat for annual gratification....the answer is NO.  Did I lose my fear of heights......the answer is NO.  Am I proud of my gungho-ness....the answer is YES.