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Published: December 13th 2007
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[youtube=GeOTir_82Tc][youtube=fPzEbOuAji8]
We signed up for a package that included a helicopter ride, white water rafting, a jet boat ride, and something they call a Canyon Swing.
While we were in Rotoura we saw a swing that the people were strapped into a metal cage and then the cage is raised really high, you pull a cord, and literally swing out from the mountain. On that tv show,
1,000 Places to See Before You Die, they did a swing where three people were strapped in on their bellies with a helmet on and the same thing - you swing. When I found out what we were doing and saw video.....tears welled up in my eyes...I was shaking, and queasy. The whole shuttle ride to our destination I kept repeating in my head,
"I can do anything...I can do anything...I can do anything..." For this "swing", I had to walk out onto a platform...still trying not to cry (which you'll see in the video) and FREE FALL almost 200 feet before finally swinging out into the canyon over the river.... and as the underwear that they sell says, "Even my shit was scared".
I asked them to please not make me
go. They wouldn't move. The guys said I had to do it...wouldn't budge...I kept looking back at Alex waiting for him to see my face ready to break down and tell me,
"awe, Suzanne...you don't have to go...", but instead he just mouthed
"I love you" The guys counted down from five, I repeated in my head,
"I can do anything...I can do anything...I can do anything..."...they got to zero and I didn't move. I thought somehow my feet would just react, but they didn't move.....the guys waited a few more seconds, I apologized, starting to tear up again and tying them up...I apologized that I had no idea what we were doing, I didn't mean to come and take up their time. I asked them to just...you know....push me off. No can do. They guide your butt off so you don't hit the rocks next to you, but that's all they could do. It was up to me to make the plunge.
He started to count down again, this time from three...I looked up at the peaks of the mountain........and then it happened.........
I actually did it! I went plummeting toward the bottom at the same time that
a high pitched scream came from my mouth that I've never heard myself scream before. The video is so funny...my legs running in air desperately trying to find something to stop me from falling. They pulled me back on the platform after I swung over the canyon and relieved I did it, I told them Thank-you for not letting me chicken out. I know it sounds corny, but the jump made me feel like I really
can do anything.
I must say, I was relieved to know that Alex was in the same position....the guys were impressed that he didn't break form for the "Pindrop", but he said it was more out of fear of moving. He said that if I didn't do it, he would have backed out. This was scary on a whole new level.
From there we grabbed a bite to eat and then headed out to our Jet Boat ride. It was fun, but I think after free falling - the excitement wasn't as high as it could have been. It's like the person who has to follow someone that just gave an incredible speech or performance...the jump/fall/swing made everything else a
bit of a haze. We took a helicopter ride from there to our raft trip...both were awesome. The helicopter went almost sideways through the mountains and on the raft ride we went through the worlds longest river rafting cave and went over a 23 foot waterfall...plus we got to see billy goats on either side of us in the mountains. Definitely the most scenic rafting I've ever done, but it had nothing on Costa Rica's rapids and excitement.
Now we're whipped....
We pick up a rental and hit the road again tomorrow!
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mom
non-member comment
ahem!
You've had quite enough excitement for my life time!!!!!!! No, really... ENOUGH! Okay, it's your life and I'm glad your'e having fun testing the emotions of your shit!! I LOVE YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN - VERTICAL!!! Mom