by As I read the disclaimer (poorly translated from Portuguese) and signed my life away, I had no idea how those 20 minutes up in the sky would be almost life-changing. Ok, maybe I’m being overly dramatic, but seeing the lush, green city of Rio from high above is definitely one of those experiences you never forget.
We drove up the steep mountain - a drive that felt like it went on for hours - till we got to the Pedra Bonita jump site. There were other instructors setting up with their brave mentors watching eagerly (or were they just terrified, hard to tell). The instructor and his assistant unpacked the glider and harness, proudly displaying them in front of the other instructors.
I waited anxiously till it was my turn and waved goodbye to my husband who so chivalrously said he’d go first. After I was snugly strapped in, I looked up and realised that he was gone, and it was now my turn. It suddenly occurred to me: I’m going to jump off a cliff. As I was about to panic, I heard my instructor’s deep voice commanding me to run fast and JUMP. I hesitated for a second so he impatiently yelled: “just do it”. Was he quoting the Nike slogan or did he really want me to jump? No time to think, I ran and jumped off the cliff into the clear Rio sky. Just as I was about to look down he warned me not to, not yet; “look straight at the horizon, don’t look down” he said. Of course, what’s the first thing I do? I look down. My head starts to spin, so I quickly look up, he tells me to smile for the camera, what a fake smile that was. Three minutes later I was in heaven - well close enough - it was quiet and peaceful, even the birds were quiet. I felt my legs dangling weightlessly and as I looked around I could see Sugar Loaf to my right, the statue of Christ the Redeemer to my left and below were the omnipresent favelas – scattered on the hills of Rio like tiny ants. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this city. Twenty minutes later he told me that it was time to run again, except this time to land. As we hit the smooth sand of Sao Conrado beach I could see my husband waiting for me with a sneaky smile on face. We both started jumping and yelling like kids after riding a rollercoaster: “Again, again, I wanna go again!”
Comments
MX says...
It must have been fantastic feeling ! You are brave Seema ! I must do that some day too.
Posted 521 days ago.
Hugo says...
Tremendous experience. Any other tips on things to do and see in Rio?
Posted 506 days ago.
seema says...
More exciting things to do in Rio: Take a tour of the favelas (shantytowns), hike in the Tijuca National Park, go to one of the Samba schools like Mangeira and watch them rehearse for Carnaval. Also, one place not to be missed is the Rio Scenarium - great
Posted 506 days ago.
Hugo says...
Thanks for tips. Must make some time to go to Rio.
Posted 506 days ago.
jsikorsky says...
Sounds exciting! I visited Rio last year and saw people doing it as well, but couldn't muster the courage! Well done Seema...
Posted 502 days ago.
Suneetha says...
HI Seema,
You have made me want to do gliding so much that I have added Rio on my wish list; I am yet to get a passport so I would prob.be finishing my India itinerary first, but that is also not a bad proposal...But Rio sounds heavenly...why dont you tell us what you did on those other sites too?
Posted 483 days ago.
madisteps says...
So brave! I chickened out on gliding in Turkey...but maybe I'll give it a whack when I figure out how to get a Brazil visa!
Posted 480 days ago.
asa says...
Wow! Fantastic -- I'm well jealous!
Posted 472 days ago.
CocaColaAguaSkol says...
I would so love to do this but I am scared of heights and am convinced my legs would buckle underneath me, causing both me and the instructor to plunge to our deaths. Not that I'm melodramatic or anything. I just really wish I could summon up the courage to do it. Maybe one day...
Posted 424 days ago.
JonSevers says...
I'm with the above person, nothing but respect for you doing that!
Posted 424 days ago.
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