From the Edge
About 2 years ago, I met a brilliant lad in Panama City by the name of Patrick. He was down in Port Elizabeth completing his pilot's license, so he was able to pick me up and take me around the small coastal city for the day. After a few beers and discussions, we, along with some of his friends, decided it would be a good idea to go to Cape Town for the weekend. I had already planned on finishing my African trip in Cape Town, but it would be good to have more people along! As Patrick was completing his pilot's license, he and his instructor jumped in their small plane and flew to Cape Town. I rented a car and proceeded to drive with Jaco, another new South African friend of mine.
There would be one stop before heading to Cape Town, however, and that would be the infamous Bloukran's Bridge Bungee Jump. I had skydived in Utah once, but I was about to confirm the rumors that bungee jumping was far more intense. There was also the added factor that this particular bungee jump was the tallest one in the world, a staggering two hundred and fourteen meters high. As I crept to the edge, every instinct in my body told me to turn back and get out of my harness. It was far too late for that. A now drowned out "3..2..1" came from behind me and I leaped forward. The feeling was absolutely terrifying, but exhilarating all at the same time. As I fell, my sights turned to tunnel vision. After bouncing up and down several times, I was hauled up to the top. All I wanted to do was go again. A life lesson learned, perhaps. Once you summon up the courage to conquer these fears, it's amazing to see your aspirations only push you further forward.
It wouldn't be the last rush of adrenaline of the day. As Jaco and I proceeded to Cape Town, we were making a turn and were caught off guard by a large truck, trying to pass us on the wrong side of the road. Luckily, I had not completed my turn and we avoided a near T-Bone accident. The car was gone, but we were both fortunately alright. After receiving a new car and filling out the report in a questionable police station, we were on our way. We were quite relieved to arrive into Cape Town a few hours later, exhausted from a day of somewhat cheating death.
Hopefully, Cape Town would prove to be a bit more relaxing than the journey to reach it.