MANASVI SHARMA BAWA

And I mean that quite literally.

On a beautiful sunny Saturday of February this year I jumped off a plane to experience on of the greatest highs humans get, sky diving. Now, before you call me a brave heart, risk taker or any number of flattering things you might want to stop right there.

Here’s how it all went down. Literally.

Bhai and Bhabhi were visiting from India and wanted to get this checked off their list. Since they are the cutest and the sweetest kinfolks of mine, they included me in this adventure and decided to fund my dive. Could I ask for better in-laws? No. I am a lucky bum.

Anywho, fast forward one day before the jump I understood the true meaning of saying yes to the dive. We were going to be doing the jump from 17,000 feet! WHAT!!!! That is all I could think about. What and WHY! Why did I ever say yes to something I was going to chicken out of?! I called the mister whined about how I was going to die, then called my parents and did the same and then proceeded to lie around in office crying for my dear life.

If you haven’t understood already, I am a very dramatic person. Emotive to the point of being annoying. *One minute silence*

As luck would have it my organ donation card arrived the same day and that was a cherry on the cake. I am not exaggerating when I say I was in tears.

D-Day.

Up at 5am I was bathed and ready to go. That we were to leave home only by 9am made the whole situation funny though. After many encouraging and loving words from Mom, Dad and the Mister, off the three of us went. We looked pretty darn good for an early morning jump if I may say so myself.

At 10:00am we were at the Picton skydivers joint all set for our dive. I was feeling the nausea. The heart was flailing. Ten million forms and signing our life off later we sat there waiting for our turn whilst spotting skydivers falling from the sky.

We waited for over an hour and a half or more I think because by the end of that wait we could spot a good landing from a bad. We were pro’s. A whole decade later our names were called out, well, Bhai and Bhabhi’s were, mine they just couldn’t pronounce. Nothing new there.

All suited in “skydive gear” which I had some apprehensions wearing because of my “I don’t know who wore it before me” we were introduced to our instructors who were going to jump with us. My instructor was a skydiver of 14 years all the way from Cairns. Damien or Damo (he’s aussie, they like shortening everything) told me four things;

1. Keep your arms crossed over your chest before the jump
2. Fold your legs under the plane exit just before taking the plunge
3. Keep looking up, that is where the view is
4. Smile, a lot!

And then he gave me the most amazing piece of advice. He said and I quote, “M, there is just one thing you need to do. What is it?”, I promptly replied “be safe?” to which he said “NO! You need to look good! Keep smiling for the camera and that’s all”.

OKAY. THEN.

More than 2 hours of waiting had made us very confident about one thing, we needed to get this over with. With our patience at its fag end we were the daredevils who were going to jump off that plane and as fast as possible. Well, frankly I was the only one scared witless. The other two were amazing all along!

But hey, the instructor had said it, I had to look good and if there is one thing I do well, it is spotting the camera.

With a huge 1000 watt smile on our faces, we posed, hopped on that little rickety “plane” (which I am very surprised gained any height at all) and were all set to get this done with. I recited a mini prayer in my mind, chatted with Damo a bit, smiled some more and bam! It was time to jump!

Now, this is how it happens.

There are there lights at the front that indicate when you should be ready. The final green light is signal that the time has come. You sit in an order, put on your eye protectors then inch towards the exit and tuck your legs under and then BAM!

Bhabhi was the first to jump off between the three of us, I was second and bhai was last. As I saw Bhabhi inching to the edge my mind blanked out and I forgot everything my instructor had said to me. Total blackout and then I saw Bhabhi disappearing into thin air! And before I knew it I was sitting at the exit, doing exactly what I had been taught without knowing, my instructor shouting, “look into the camera” and then there was free falling.

As I write this, I can feel the same way I felt when I jumped off the plane…..

I have just two words,

WIND BLAST.

The impact of it all was so strong that I had no time to be scared. I was shouting happily and so was my instructor. I had uncrossed my arms and was now feeling the wind pressure on my arms and chest. At some point, I looked around and I could see the forest on one side and the coast line on the other. Then I was asked to pose and against that wind I brought my arm up and posed for a photo. This was followed by a lot shouting and squeals.

I was ecstatic and free at that very moment. I was also very thirsty. But let’s stick to free.

After what seemed like an eternity later, Damo released the parachute and that guys that is the most satisfying feeling ever.

You float. You see the World below you and wonder how tiny you are in the grand scheme of things.

So, we floated.

I was smiling a lot and then scrunching my brows and then smiling some more. At one point my instructor gave me control of the parachute and that was exhilarating.

By the time, it was my turn to land, I felt as if I was the best (tandem) skydiver in the World. Debatable, questionable and very doubtful but hey! I felt that way and it was good.

I went from sweating bullets to being a happy bunny in a matter of two hours.

At touchdown, I ran to Bhai and Bhabhi like Winnie the Pooh would towards honey, ecstatic to be reunited with my people.

With that ladies & gents, we became proud members of the “Jumped off a plane, what did you do?” Club.

All in all, this was one of the best experiences of my life.

If I ever get to being 90 years old, I want my grandchildren to see this blog and go, “grandma was such a badass”. Things we do for legacy.

Thanks Bhai and Bhabhi, I would have chickened out of ever doing this had it not been for the two of you. BIG LOVE!

If you are planning on doing any of the “adventure sports” just remember it is scary until you do it. Then it’s the best decision of your life.

Now I need to find the next adventure… Any suggestions?

Until next time lovelies!

Stay tangled. xx