November 20, 2005
Look Mom, No Hands

I apparently did not back out. I apparently did bungy from 43 meters. I apparently did not have time to think about it.

I mentioned to Lynette our tour guide, which we picked up yesterday that I wanted to bungy the next day on our free day in Queenstown. She immediately said, "Wanna do it today?" and I said, "Ok." (I'm an idiot I know)

The next thing I know she is on the phone booking a time and we are back in the car on our way to the Kawarau Bridge. We get there I'm out of the car and at the "Here are your options area" I'm asked for my name, asked what options I want (I got the jump and three photos. I opted out of the DVD and am a little sad at this point that I didn't get it, however, how often would I really watch the damn thing)Then I was asked to sign a release form, to stand on a scale and my weight was then written on my hand in big red numbers branding me for life apparently. I was then given a piece of paper with my name and my weight. My weight seemed to be written everywhere which is probably good as it is apprently important for the whole bungy process.

All of this was done very quickly with no time for thinking, something they do on purpose I'm sure. I was then told to go through the doors and walk to the bridge. Michele and Lynette came with me while Hugh and Dia stayed at the watching area to take pictures of me taking the plunge.

Upon arriving at the bridge I was put in a harness and then asked to sit while a nice New Zealand boy wrapped a towel with some straps around my legs. If I had been thinking straight I think I would have wondered how on earth that was supposed to keep me from falling when the bungy pulled on it.

I know someone jumped before me but I have no memory of watching him jump. Michele continued to smile encouragingly at me and take pictures. Lynette made comments like, "Have you looked down yet?" which I readily ignored. And then I was standing up and inching forward with my legs bound together towards the edge of the platform. About then I was starting to think that I couldn't do it. I mean 43 meters (which I think is around 140 feet) doesn't sound that high and is certainly not the highest jump here but damn if it didn't seem that way.

New Zealand boy was very good at his job. He ran through multiple instructions which went straight over my head. I opted for the water touch and he told me to make sure that my arms were straight out and my chin down as if I was diving because otherwise I might smack my face on the water and that would not be fun.

After talking rapidly at me, making me smile for the camera, wave to the crowd he said he was going to count to five and then I was going to jump. I at this point said, "I don't know if I can do this." He then told me that he was not going to make me jump. He was holding my rigging and I was completely safe. He told me to look at the bridge across the way and this is two seconds of your life and the next thing I knew I was falling. I don't even remember thinking jump. I think I stopped thinking. I must have closed my eyes for the initial plunge but the next thing I knew I was falling.

I didn't quite touch the water. Very close but I just missed it. I was silent on the way down and once I bounced back up I just started screaming. Afterwards Hugh and Dia said the crowd laughed at me. Hell as long as I was entertaining. I bounced a couple of more times, my shirt flew upside down and the whole thing was a complete rush.

I was then being told to reach for a pole and they lowered me into the raft. I was given various instructions all the while one of the other New Zealand boys was making small talk which I could barely answer considering I had just jumped off a bridge. I was quickly ushered off the boat and walked back up to where everyone was waiting. When I got back up to the top people who had watched me jumped waved at me as if to say, "Oh good you're still here, Hello."

Upon my return I hugged Michele and Lynette and then I was ushered over to a screen where they showed the video of me jumping. Again surreal in that I had just done it from a completely different perspective. After the video I got my pictures, my tshirt and we headed out of there with me on a complete high.

The whole thing was very efficient and fast. I don't know if I could ever do it again but I'm sure as hell glad that I did do it.

Mom you can breath, I'm just fine.

There are pictures online, well, not quite yet but they are to be posted soon. In the next day or so you can go to AJHackett.com and input the code AJHK511216246848 for my pictures.

Posted by nuala at November 20, 2005 07:42 PM
Comments

oh my god. that is amazing. seriously. i actually couldn't breathe for a few seconds there just before you jumped off. excellent narrative too, by the way. congratulations!

Posted by: didofoot on November 22, 2005 09:01 AM

i can only see one picture! where are the nuala flying through the air pictures? I NEED TO SEE THE NUALA FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.

Posted by: didofoot on November 22, 2005 09:03 AM

I can't even tell you how much I admire you for this. The reason I can't tell you is that I'm too terrified even to think about it.

Oh, and I'd never tell you this before you jumped, but since you're done with it I think I can safely say that the picture of you with your legs strapped together about to jump off a platform reminds me of the end of Dancer in the Dark. GAH!

Posted by: Dianna on November 22, 2005 09:49 AM

How come I didn't know about this?!

It's just as well I didn't. I can only see one photo on the site - the one just before you are about to jump, and you look delirious. My brave girl.

I'm glad you did it. Can we go on the Amazing Race now?

Love,

Mom.

Posted by: MOM on November 22, 2005 10:11 AM

Mom I didn't tell you because I knew you would worry. Plus I told you I was thinking of doing it. I look terrified in the picture maybe no one else can tell but I do.

Dianna I think it is a good thing that I have not seen Dancer in the Dark. Yea Me. I am impressed that I did this as well. I don't know if I could do it again.

Pictures are forthcoming with Nuala Flying through the air. As well as a video michele took with me bouncing around and screaming. It's Hilarious.

Kristen, thanks for the props. I felt like I rushed the post but I'm glad it got the job done.

Posted by: nuala on November 22, 2005 10:23 AM

i cannot believe you did that! i wouldn't even do that...but mostly cause i don't need the emotional trauma of my weight being written in big red numbers on my hand for everyone to see...its not so much about the death defying jump.

but yay for you!!! i can't wait to see more pics!

Posted by: ady on November 22, 2005 10:24 AM

Well the good thing about the whole weight thing written on my hand was that it was in kilograms. I don't know what it means so it was not so horrible, in fact to me it was a much smaller number so I was kinda pleased.

Posted by: nuala on November 22, 2005 10:29 AM

And Dianna I found the picture of me flying through the air. Go the same website and put in this number:
AJHK511216246849

Posted by: nuala on November 22, 2005 10:36 AM

You know, it really does look like that guy just pushed you.

Posted by: Dianna on November 22, 2005 10:54 AM

the kilos may make it better - good point, but still too traumatic for yours truly.

i saw the flying picture - you look very graceful for someone doing something so terrifying!

Posted by: ady on November 22, 2005 11:04 AM

wow. just wow. excellent re-telling. i am so mightily impressed.

also, you're a tad crazy. in a good way though.

Posted by: marina on November 22, 2005 12:16 PM

Oh, you are so courageous!
Great pictures, too.
I guess any girl that can jump into cold mountain lakes can jump off a little old bridge....(except me, of course!).
Sounds like you are having a wonderful vacation.

Eydie

Posted by: Eydie on November 22, 2005 12:16 PM

I don't think I was brave. I think I was just without other options once I was on the bridge. - More to come soon on the trip. We are having an excellent time!

Posted by: nuala on November 23, 2005 09:01 PM
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