109. Go Parasailing

Since I am terrified of heights and really fast moving things, skydiving, basejumping, and things that are in that family all feel as though they are out of the question. Falling would not be so bad if it was sloooow and I was attached to a pully that could control gravitational pull. My best compromise for something daring and along those lines was to try out parasailing.
FYI, parasailing is when you are attached to a parachute which is attached to a boat that is pulling you through the sky. It's like flying a kite, except you are attached to the kite.

I traveled to Mexico this past year as a tourist. The previous time I was in Mexico was to build a house in Rosarito, which is on the western coast by Tijuana. This time, my mother and I vacationed (resort style) to Playa del Carmen, which is a short drive from Cancun on the southeast Gulf. Most of the vacation was tanning, drinking, and eating. It wasn't the most exciting of times for me. I am completely appreciative of my opportunities to travel, and I do love tanning, drinking, and eating... but after a certain amount of time doing those things, I am a person who likes to become more active.

On our final full day in the resort I told my mom that I wanted to go parasailing. Now, some parents are very motivational, and can push their children to do things because they agree that it is a fun thing to do. My mom is more terrified of speed, not being in control, and heights than I am. After a small amount of probing I convinced her to agree and we left on our adventure. One thing that my mom was happy that parasailing did not involve, was jetskis. On our last vacation we went on a jetskiing adventure and she was terrified because of the variables of extremely high seas, very fast speeds, and going through the Bermuda triangle where a channel of tour-cruises were passing our way. Little did we know, that in order to get to the boat that will take us parasailing, we first have to be taken there via jetski.

I love jetskiing! I think it's fun and I know when I tip or fall off I can get right back on or flip it upright. The driver of the jetski knew that my mom was terrified, but he also was hitting on me. So instead of letting my poor scared mother sit behind him to hold on, with me flailing off of the back, he decided that I should be the meat between the bread and my scared mother could cry and scream while almost falling off the back. Damn my hottness. At least on the way back I told him in Spanish that we had to switch it up.

Finally we get out to the boat and sit down in the bow. Some harnesses had to wrap through our legs and around our thighs, to create a seat-like position when in the air. However, the only thing keeping my mom and I from falling over 100ft into the water was two hiking buckles attached to a bar which was then connecting the giant smiley faced parachute to the 30ft boat below.

Look how little the boat became!

My dangling feet

When our turn began we were told to sit on the back of the boat while our harnesses attached. Extremely slowly slack was let out more and more from the boat and before we knew it we were high up in the air! It wasn't a rush at all, it was very tranquil and my mom insisted that it was the closest she has ever been to heaven. The wind was in our hair, and we had sights and worlds all around us, but there was no fear, no tension.

Job well done!

I could even look down at my dangling feet and not be afraid. It was like a cloud was lifting me and carrying me along the coast.



We took many pictures, a few which you can see here or on facebook. I was scared of landing but being brought down was just as smooth and easy as takeoff. I remember thinking that if parachuting is anything like that, I would love it, and I would want to do it over and over. The part before the parachute opens is when I'd probably pee my pants.

We'll see what the future has in store...

Listen to Bon Bon by Pitbull

View of la playa from the parachute.