A few years ago, I made a bucket list of things I wanted to try out before turning 25. I have to say that accomplishing each item on the list has been a lot of fun. Among the ideas was: eating a delicacy from another country, trying out different hair colors and my personal favorite, going skydiving. And because life is full of surprises, I ended up jumping from a plane with my bestie.
If you’re one for taking a leap of faith and experiencing new things, this is for YOU!!! After being strapped in a harness and having listened to the safety measures, which is kind of “don’t freak out at 10,000 feet.” The nerves start, you already know that your Instagram description will say something like “certifiably insane person here.” Once inside the plane, you try to find your nearest exit, which means you will have to jump “sí o sí.”
There’s no escape, you’re strapped to the instructor, video shootings going around you and …BOOM the hatch door is open, and the view is breathtaking. Clear blue skies with fluffy white clouds, tiny human figures way down on earth that seem to mock your decision-making skills, just as your babilla seems to suffer an out of proportion blow, because you are officially looking down.
(Bestie freaking out face)
You sit on the edge of the plane, and as your feet dangle, your thoughts seem to pause and the next thing you know, you my friend are falling away. For the briefest second it is as if your soul leaves your body, and everything tingles as adrenaline courses through your veins, but the serenity and peacefulness achieved at that instant, is an out-of-this-world experience. But I must say that free falling “es la vijne’.”
After having seen your impending doom, falling 10,000 feet into the air, handling the parachute yourself and landing, this is the part where you make the resolution of DOING IT AGAIN FROM A HIGHER ALTITUDE!!!! My experiences is based on the Tandem jump, there are other options for those thrill seekers out there, like the AFF (Accelerated Free Fall) or you can even become a skydiver at their school. All photographs are courtesy of Ronald M. Alvarez.
If you want to know more visit Puerto Rico Sky Divers, they are located at Arecibo’s airport and offer an unique experience at affordable prices.