It's in February of 2015 that I travelled to Costa Rica. I had planned on going by myself, but at the last minute, when my daughter found out that I was going, she quickly decided to join me. This was to my delight, to say the least. There were lots of exciting times over there, and it started as soon as we landed in San José. We both didn't know much Spanish, and the roads are not clearly indicated, as we are accustomed to. To please my daughter, who is always after a good high adrenaline experience, we only stayed a couple of days by the Pacific coastline, left the warm sunny beaches, and headed up to the stormy, and cold rainforest. We made it all the way to Monte Verde, in search of exciting things to do, and we certainly found them. I will save the unexpected, and thrilling events of getting there for another blog. Anyway, the following day, we hopped onto a bus that took us to Monte Verde Extremo Park. It bares its name. This is where we would be able to Bungee Jump at an altitude of 143 meters high – ok, where "she" was going to bungee jump. I would be quite content being the one behind the video camera.
So here we go…we started our long trek up the mountain, doing some zip lining along the way, some longer, and some steeper than others. We did some repelling too. I can still hear the guide saying repeatedly: "You ok mama?'' I don't know why he was so concerned. I looked around. Could it have to do with my sudden awareness that everyone in the group were 1 or 2 generations younger than I? I wasn't going to let that slow me down. I was there to make memories, although I did decide on that day that my son's dream of walking up to Machu Picchu was not going to materialize with his mother. Nevertheless, instantly putting a couple of close calls behind me as they happened, I held up, and had amazing experiences that day, particularly when I got to the Tarzan Swing. This is a swing of 90 meters (295 feet) into nothingness, at a height of 50 meters (164 feet). At this point, I must admit I was terrified. I kept passing my turn, letting people get ahead of me. My heart was pumping. I teared up, and had no control over the physical reaction I was experiencing. I was vibrating inside. Finally, it was either "do it", or turn around, and walk all the way back down. I would have done all this only to quit at the end? I wasn't having it! I had my daughter below cheering for me, so I reasoned myself to face my fear. I knew I had to do it if I wanted to experience the 1km long zip line at 150 meters from the ground (450 feet) that was coming up next. I also knew that if I didn't do that scary Tarzan Jump, I might not have it in me to do the even scarier Superman experience (that's what the 1 km line is called). That unjustified fear was holding me back somehow, because consciously, I knew the activity was well controlled, and that all safety measures were looked after, and that I would be ok. Subconsciously, the fear was real, and there was no denying it. All the things I have learned along the way from people who have coached me, mentored me, and taught me, came back to mind – "You create what you fear", "there's only one way to conquer fear, and it's to walk through it", "Fear knocked at the door, faith answered, and nobody was there". That's when I made a final decision: I would do it, no matter what! I then had a quick little chat with my God, and jumped as I started screaming, tears rolling down my cheeks, as the group waiting for me below watched me jump. I was shaking like a leaf afterwards, and fell into my daughter's arms as she was waiting to catch me. I was grateful to be alive, but mostly to have conquered such a fearful moment. Because I had done it, I was able to experience the Superman zipping, which was really classified as more challenging. I remember my heart beating faster as I was getting ready for it, but knowing I would be ok, just as I was for the previous challenge. So, because I decided to face my fear, do something about it, and stretch and grow as a result, I was able to enjoy 1 km of zip lining through the sky, taking it all in, and enjoying the view, beauty, and freedom with no reservations!
For your amusement, here I am in the video, "doing it!"
Until next time, LOVE YOURSELF!
DL
