Well... when it comes to adventure and adrenaline rush, I am
generally always up for the challenge. But ask anyone, bungee jumping is the
only thing I’ve ever said I would NEVER EVER do! For some reason the thought of
territorial cows, mobs of Nepali bus riders, and even hurling myself out of a
plane at 12,000 feet sounds more appealing to me than jumping off a bridge at
530 feet over a ravine with nothing but an elastic cord strapped around my
ankles and a “back-up” waist harness. The company slogan reads “Imagine a bridge over a 160m high tropical
gorge with the Bhote Kose, one of Nepal’s wildest rivers raging river below…Now
JUMP!” We also did the canyon swing, which includes a 7 second free fall
from the same bridge before your body is hurled toward sheer rock cliffs
straight ahead and then violently yanked backwards!!! Talk about a wild ride!
But man is that a way to see a new
perspective of Nepal!
We all hopped into a bus at 5am and drove 4 hours through a
number of villages placed strategically on the steps of their farm hills. I saw
more of the Nepali countryside in these 4 hours than the rest of the trip!
After coming close to a few flat tires, 2 head on collisions and taking a break
to load hand made fence to be installed at our destination, we arrived at the
bridge…dun dun dunnnn. I could sense the fear of everyone in the group as we
inched our way across this bridge, which we were soon supposed to be hurling
ourselves off of?! I have to say, it was comforting to see so many of my
friends, all as adventuresome and fearless as me for most things, cringe at the
thought of this jump. It was a bonding experience for sure, and we all survived
the day!!
My last moment of reflection...Tom Petty's Free Falling playing in my head to get PUMPED!
The JUMP!!!!!
Cooling off after our jumps:
"Dude...we just jumped off that...."
Yesterday we headed to another monastery out of town. We
hiked this hill with strings of prayer flags guiding our way. The view was
spectacular and we all practiced our Nepali with the young monks. Today I am
headed off to the Koseli School again. Ishwor and I have such a blast that I always
look forward to my days with him, despite the trek to get the school.
Some shout outs back at home: my little brother Brian
graduates today! B-I’m so proud of you and wish so badly I could be there. What
an incredible accomplishment?! I’ll be watching it live online tomorrow morning
at 5am! Sending love all of you. Thanks again for following along!
Namaste,
Al
Love you boys!
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