Today we packed up and drove to the Tsitsikama Park to do a short mile long hike. It was a cloudy day today, providing just the right amount of nervousness for the ever-looming bungy jump to come. First things first, a hike through rocky hills looking down on the ocean and cliffs surrounding the area. It was a beautiful park with waterfalls, suspension bridges, and the view of the water down below. We all tried to eat lunch at the park before getting back into the car, venturing to the highest bridge bungy jump in the world; Bloukrans.
We got out of the car and walked over to the stone wall, that allows visitors to look at the bridge and watch people jump. The bridge seemed so far away and the drop seemed so long, but I knew I had to make the decision right then if I was going to jump or not. Why you may ask did I chose yes to such a crazy thing to do, well when else would I get the opportunity and be willing enough to do it?
We went into the café, which is angled so people can eat and watch the jumpers. The café also provided a large big screen TV so that everyone could see up-close the expressions on the jumper’s face, and watch them take the leap of faith. My nerves still hadn’t kicked in yet, although it was the same for skydiving as well, I was never nervous. It finally came time to be weighed, strapped into a harness, and ready to jump.
After everyone was strapped in came the treacherous walk to the jump. The walk included a very long, very high suspension bridge, overlooking what we were going to be diving towards. Most people started to panic over the bridge realizing fully what they were getting themselves into. Me on the other hand, I was one of those people hooting and hollering trying to help everyone get psyched up! My friend Thembie just kept repeating, why am I doing this, I mean really, why am I doing this? As I wasn’t fully sure of why I was jumping, I didn’t exactly have a good answer for him, but thankfully we could hear the music. We were getting close to the platform under the bridge that holds the jumpers, and the music became louder and louder as we continued getting closer.
We finally reached the platform and saw people dancing to the beat of the music, trying to get all of their nervous energy out. I told myself that if I looked down I wouldn’t be able to go through with it, so I continued to look out, at the sky and trees and the ocean that lay in front of me. As I supported my friends and fellow jumpers, I danced even crazier to the techno music that was blasting in my ears. They finally called my number and I sat on the bench as my ankles were strapped in. The cameraman took a few pictures, everyone on the platform started chanting my name and clapping, and I continued to look out. The two guys who strapped my in had me place my arms over their shoulders so they could carry mean to the very edge of the platform, toes hanging over. I kept looking out and decided that I wanted to be one of the jumpers who jumped willingly and didn’t have to be pushed. As I heard the workers yell “3-2-1 bungee!!!” my heart leapt into my throat as I bent my knees and did the best swan dive I knew how into….nothing. It was instinct or me to close my eyes, and it was soothing as it helped me focus on my form and not on what I was doing. Nothing can describe the feeling of falling, falling, falling, falling for so long that it feels like the rope will never catch. Falling with the feeling that literally nothing is holding onto you. Finally the rope caught and I gently bounced up, until finally I was just left bobbing in the air. For me, just hanging there was the scariest part as it felt like my feet were slowly slipping from the harness, even though the harness is designed so your feet will not slip. Everytime I opened my eyes this intense feeling of being completely and utterly not in control took over. So I prayed. I prayed to the only being that had control over me, which of course is God. It was more like a chant I repeated over and over and over again “God you are good, you are incredible, you are awesome, keep me safe”. I am not sure how many times I repeated that but I can tell you that when the man came down to get me, he heard me, and told me that He had kept me safe. The way that it works after you jump is a man gets harness into a seat, lowers himself to you, connects your harness to his and pulls you into a sitting position. Then the whole team of workers pulls up the rope to the beat of the song that is playing up top. It was my favorite part of the whole jump seeing how skillfully the whole team worked to pull each jumper up. It was the happiest moment to see this mans face, and as he knew I was panicking because we were still hanging in the air, he asked me if I had watched the superbowl. What a comfort it was to see a kind face looking at you, knowing that yes indeed you would be ok. I will never again bungy jump but I am glad I experienced it. Many of my friends would do it again in a heartbeat. I even had one friend who did do it again, but the second time she jumped backwards. Me on the other hand, decided that indeed one time was enough.
Afterwards we all bought pictures and the dvd of our jump, hopped into the cars, and headed to Jeffrey’s Bay. I expected more of an adrenaline rush from bungy jumping, similar to my skydiving rush, but instead, I was instantly tired. We arrived in J Bay at the most amazing hostile we’ve stayed at so far. The hostel was called Island Vibe, backpackers hotspot and surfer’s paradise. Even though it was pitch dark outside I could sense the awestriking beauty of the beach, and the large ocean waves crashing on the sand. We were shown around to the bar, the pool tables, the porches, and the stone houses that set the feeling for this entire place. This was a total surfer’s paradise, looking like it was straight out of a movie. You know how in movies they have people talking saying things such as “ya bro, totally caught a sick wave today” well I kid you not, I over heard two surfers engaging in this exact conversation, sitting by the fire outside their tents. After eating dinner, instead of socializing back at the bar as most of my friends did, I thanked God for another night, and went soundly to sleep.
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