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In the air.
This is Raul and I floating on our way to the ground after jumping out of a airplane at 10 000 feet. I often say, “ The Eagle has landed”, whenever I land from a flight - well now I mean it.
That’s right poppets, Brooks went Sky Diving. I decided that I wanted to do something that was so extreme and so memorable that I couldn’t resist. And then the thought came to me. SKY DIVING. Why not!!
I had been talking about wanting to go sky diving for some time with my friends on the ship but never actually thought I could get the nerve to go. When I was at Star Centre, Jeanette and Marlize went, and when I heard about it I knew I had to go.
A lot of people were skeptical, scared and thought it was an over the top experience to have. And one would think with what I have seen, and what I have done already that I would be fulfilled. Well nope, I had to do it.
I knew I would be scared, terrified, over sensitive, and all the other drama that comes along with the thought of doing something out of your comfort zone. And that is exactly why I decided that I had to do it. I
On the way up
This is in the airplane on the way up to jump. mentioned last entry that I decided to come and work on a cruise ship because it was still somewhat structured but within a totally random environment which made it ok to be adventurous because there was still some structure. So doing something that seemed so over the top and wild was totally appealing to me.
Catherine and I decided that we were going to go. It didn’t matter how much money it was or how far it was to get there, or what we had to organize to make it happen. We were going. So I spoke with Jeanette who gave me some information about where to go and look, e-mailed the company with some very specific questions and got my answers. Within 40 hours we had booked our jumps and started to prepare to jump out of an airplane.
The day of I had orientation training to facilitate and then I would be off to jump. I met Catherine and we had to rush to down town Cozumel and catch the ferry to Playa Del Carmen, where the Sky Diving facility is located. We got to the location and seriously thought to myself, AM I SERIOUSLY GOING
TO JUMP OUT OF AN AIRPLANE? But there was no turning back, I would rather jump out of the airplane peeing my pants than turn around and do the walk of shame.
Catherine and I filled out the terrifying waiver forms that pretty much said, if you die then it’s not our fault, headed over to get some training and then got in a white van leaving for the small airport. We walked the tarmac and got into the small plane, we headed up to into the sky with disbelief. I have to be honest though, I wasn’t scared at all - mind you when my emotions are to the extreme for which ever one, albeit fear, anger, sadness etc… I am eerily calm. I looked around as the plane hatch door rattled against my leg. The Raul, the man whose hands I would be putting my life into gave me the signal for GO TIME.
We opened the hatch door, to an intense feeling of OH MY GOD. We connected out safety lines and I was to begin heading out of the airplane. I put on foot on the ledge and trying to get the other was
a feat all on its own, the wind was so strong. Raul gave me the count down and then in 1, 2, 3 we leaned back and off we went. We did a complete flip - many be a few times I don’t remember - then righted ourselves. I said, OH MY GOD (no swears seriously) and then thought BREATHE BREATHE, and then enjoyed the ride down. The wind whistled through my goggles and past my ears with an intense rush. The shoot opened and we sailed so smoothly over the ocean. I took many pictures and the sights were stunning.
Catherine landed on the beach first - although I jumped first. She then ran over to me as I landed and gave me a big hug while screaming. It was awesome.
As for the total experience = T’S A MUST. It’s intense and exhilarating. Those are my words for it.
The rest of the cruise was very nice. Jeanette and I went to Grand Cayman, on the well-known Seven Mile beach, where we lounged and took in the sights. After which we took a stroll through the tourist trap. Grand Cayman is everything its cracked up
Our instructors.
This is Raul and Gonzalo, they were our instructors for our jump. to be. Nice beaches, expensive shops and banks everywhere.
There was another Tex-Mex crew party, where we all donned our cowboy hats and tried to YEE HA for the night.
I went out with Ursula one of the nurses in Belize as she helped me shop. I am a good bargain hunter but she is amazing. She would walk past a vendor, as they are saying, “Sweet darlin’ come by me shop”. She would return, “Ciao Darling”, in her thick German accent. It was a blast shopping with her. She is definitely one of my favourite people on the ship.
It was also my first time in Costa Maya Mexico this cruise. Catherine, Jeanette and I decided to go for a stroll through the local port markets and see what there was to offer. It was HOT HOT HOT that day. Catherine managed to get a few things and I priced a few items. But all in all it was good.
This upcoming cruise is my last. I want to make the most out of it. And I am sure that I will.
See you all soon.
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