To the people of Queenstown, be glad I didn't puke on you from 5000 feet up

So. In my quest to annoint myself wildest Kurlandsky (it's not really that hard seeing as how we're all fairly innocent), I have jumped out of a plane. Well, it was more like a Dutch dude whose name I can no longer remember jumped out of a plane with me strapped to his front. (ps, that's not me in the photo).

New Zealand is known for its love of adventure sports; the first commercial bungee jump was created by two Kiwi guys and they have a whole load of ridiculous activities you can do in this country besides the usual skydives and bungees. I hadn't really ever considered skydiving until I started reading about NZ, supposedly they offer the cheapest skydives in the world and once you get here you realize it's almost like a rite of passage to do one. Most people do it in Taupo, in the North Island. I was going to do it, then it was raining. The next day was better but I lost my nerve. The weather foiled us again in Franz Josef and I had about given up, a)cause duh, it's scary, and b) I'm running out of cash quickly! But, I decided that I couldn't come to Queenstown and do nothing, and if I have to throw myself out of a plane just to say I did it, it may as well be in spectacularly beautiful New Zealand. By the way, I realize I'm describing this in my usual textbook style, but just because I skydived I'm no less of a nerd than I was before! Take comfort in that.

Okay, but for real, and I really apologize for the language, but it was FUCKING TERRIFYING.

I was purposefully trying not to think too much about it before going because I knew I would just make myself really anxious. I went with my friend Lauren, the Lauren from England we've been travelling with for about 3 weeks (and we'll be splitting up soon and it's really sad). I was totally excited when we got to to the field and we spent about 45 minutes watching other people land while we waited for our turn. Then they called us and we suited up (this is of course after a briefing session in town) in some awesome jumpers with little caps. (I think I'm developing a fetish for all these outfits I've been wearing--skydive suit, scuba suits, ice crampons...) Each person gets a "tandem master;" the actual professional skydiver who does everything for you and is attached to your back. Then they just load you on the tiny plane and head out, there was enough room in the plane for 4 jumpers and 4 masters, and everyone is sitting on the floor basically in each others laps. I thought the plane ride would be the hardest part for me, and my biggest fear actually was that I would have a panic attack on the plane. But I managed to be okay, I was just like in a meditative state staring at the wall, and totally ignoring the tandem master who was trying to pump me up like, "Yeah it's going to be so awesome!" Then eventually they attach you to them, you put on your goggles and hat and gloves (I was actually barefoot because I didn't bring proper shoes and the guy said it was okay to not wear anything) and the real fear starts. At some point the door opens....and I had to close my eyes because I didn't want to see the first two fall out! I was third, then Lauren. They scoot you over to the door and you realize that there's no choice really, as your strapped to this man. He dangles his legs out the door and since I was in his lap attached to him, I was just kind of hanging in mid air, completely outside the plane. Then he asks if I'm ready to which I reply, "Oh my god!!" And then we jump.........

The first few seconds were the worst feeling I think I've ever had. We were just tumbling around in circles in nothingness. They tell you beforehand to keep your eyes open but I just remember thinking "I don't liiiiiike thissss!!" And I squeezed my eyes closed. But then they let out a little mini parachute that helps keep your bodies steady, and you're just freefalling. It feels like there's a giant fan in your face and you can finally notice that you're thousands of feet in the air, above Lake Wakatipu and there's snow capped mountains everywhere. It's pretty amazing. Though they tell you in the briefing that it doesn't really feel like you're falling, more like floating, I really felt like I was hurtling towards the earth! The freefall is I think, about 45 seconds, but it felt so fast, then the parachute opens and you slow down. Now, this is supposed to be the part where you can relax and enjoy the scenery and float down. But I'm Mara, so obviously I was sooooo nauseous and had to inform the dude that I might be on the verge of barf. He was nice and tried to help me out by handing me a barf bag (do they pack those in with the parachutes?). The scenery was lovely but I think I was concentrating so hard on avoiding the possibility of crushing some poor unsuspecting local with the velocity of my illness. We made it back to land without incident and Lauren landed seconds later. I just wanted to sit on the ground or like have a hug or something! My hands were so shaky. Anyways, I survived! I did it! And I never have to do it again! Yaaaaay!

Anyways, we're still in Queenstown, Lauren USA and I will be going on a daytrip to see the Milford Sound tomorrow, then she goes to Christchurch for a week-long stay on a farm and I'll make my way slowly to Christchurch via Mt. Cook and through the college town of Dunedin. Sorry for not writing for so long, but I hope you enjoyed my story!

Lots of love from NZ, Mara