Sky Diving; I had seen it only on television, but thought of
doing it was still strange to me until I reached Tokyo. I happened to watch
video of one of my colleagues. That got me thrilled and stimulated to experience
it. Although I love adventure, but Sky Diving, seemed too scary to do. I
started querying about it and compiled all the information. I wanted someone to
join; going alone for this adventure was something my heart was not allowing me
for. Time kept flying and I could not dare taking the step alone. Finally I
found myself back in India complaining to myself “yaar you should have gone for
it”.
Then I got chance to visit Berlin for few weeks. I inquired
about Sky Diving there but to no help. I relied on Google and after trying hard
I could locate one of the facilities nearby. It was in Gransee, 55Km northwest
off Berlin. I thought I may not get another chance; it’s now or never, and
decided to go for it. I communicated to one of my colleagues that if you don’t
hear from me by Monday afternoon then you must call for searchJ. Friday night, I
prepared some poories stuffed with spice, for I was sure I am not going to get
anything to eat in Gransee.
21st August, Saturday morning, Berlin Hauptbahnhof
station, I am waiting for train, watching people around, still wondering that I
was going to do it. There are quite a few people here. Besides me there is a teen
age guy holding on to something, that thing looks like surfing board, never
seen it before. Here comes the train, ye kya, ye to shuroo hone ke pehle hi
khatm ho gayee, only 3-4 coaches. Deep breath, Ankit Let’s go, God bless you.
Here I am, on the way to Gransee, all alone, having
excitement and fear in my heart. Strange place, strange people, strange
adventure, everything seems strange. My mind is struggling for peace because of
the strange thoughts its being bombarded with. Can I really do it, am I over
confident, What if something goes wrong there, what if nobody gets informed if
anything happens to me, what if this, what if that. You have not told anyone at
home about this. May be you should have, but I don’t think they would have
allowed you to go for such a crazy thing. And if they had denied you would
certainly not have got courage to do it after that. Anyways just five more
minutes and you will be in Gransee.
My Goodness, what is this place, for the sake of station I
just can see two platforms running parallel to each other, no shade, no human,
nothing at all. I am feeling at some remote village having no habitation. Well,
you have to wait for the cab here itself, no matter how the place is. What are
you going to do by then? What to do, what to do, ok, you got a book so let’s read
it. It will take at least an hour before cab reaches here. You have arrived too
early, so enjoy the time.
OK, it’s time now. You should check for the cab. Let’s go
outside and wait. I don’t know if you should stand here or that side. Mike had
told me to go on the road in the direction the train goes, which direction you
came from? I guess you came from that direction then possibly you are standing
at right place.
That’s Go Air cab coming. Wow, what a funky look they have
given to this cab. Window down, Are you Ankit? Yes J, yaa common in, thanks.
If I remember correctly, facility should be nearby,
somewhere on the left. Wow, its beautiful place, greenery on both sides of the
road. I think this guy will take left from here. Yap, I told you. All right so
finally you have reached to the diving site. There are so many people here, lot
of crazy people I guessJ.
Let’s find out the reception. There it is. Hey, hi, I am Ankit, I talked to Mike
on mail regarding tandem jump. Ya that’s me, nice to meet you Ankit, nice to
meet you too J. Please
fill up this form, I will be right back.
What is this form? May be they just need my details. Nope,
there is some declaration here. All right I get it now, its declaration that these
guys implement all the safety measures still if anything goes wrong, they
cannot be held liable. You are on your own risk. Hey Mike, I am done. All right
then, you can relax and hang around, I should call your name on your turn. OKies,
thanks J
 |
| Sky Diving Site |
Let’s see what others are doing. Seems people come here for picnic. That guy is lying on the grass, that half naked man seems taking sunbath lying on his back, and look at that aunty, she is playing with little cute girl. What’s the time? I am feeling hungry now. Let’s eat something, it’s already afternoon.
 |
| Standby Plane |
What is that roaring sound now? OK, so that is the plane for sky diving. Seems only eight or ten people can be accommodated in that. It’s taking off. Where has it gone? OK, it’s up there, looking so tiny. How can one jump from that height? Let’s watch.
 |
| Spots taking shapes now |
I can see some black dots in the sky now. Hey, they are not black anymore, that’s blue, that’s yellow, that’s red, and there appears few more. They are coming close. I can see arches over those dots now. Coming down, coming down, wow what a move, that guy should land somewhere around that bush, nope, he is changing his route. Now, now, now, and bang. Wow, it must be amazing feeling. If they can do it, so can I.
 |
| Workshop |
Mr. Ankit Jalori. Let’s go, they are calling your name. Hey, are you Ankit? Yes, great, I am your tandem jumper. There are the costumes, get ready, OK. Ooops, how to wear this? This is so big. Well, not bad, you look like an astronaut J Hey Ankit, come here we are briefing. OK, so while jumping off the plane keep your body in banana shape. When I pat you, hold on to the belts on your chest and then I will open the parachute. We will jump from the altitude of 4000m, there will be free fall for about 50sec with approx speed of 200km/h which will cover more than half of the distance and then parachute will be opened and you can enjoy hovering around. While landing make sure you lift your legs and land on your hips. Are you scared? Ya, a little bit. Want to say something to your family? Nothing, just that I am going to experience how to flyJ. All right then, lets fly.
 |
| First one off the plane |
 |
| Banana |
 |
| Free Fall |
We are at 2000m up in the air. It’s beautiful landscape through
the window. Now, we are flying at 4000m.
God bless you Ankit. First one off the
plane, second one, here goes third one. Deep breath, it’s your turn now, moving
closer to door, deep breath, deep breath, do not look down, deep breath, deep
breath, banana…, off the plane. My God …blank …blank …blank …blank …blank …blank…
Parachute opened... My God, I have done it, yes, I have done
it, awesome, wow. The free fall was amazing. I am flying, I am flying. Closing
to the ground, legs up, now, now, now, and bang. It was really amazing
experience. You finally did it. Let’s wrap up here and get back to Berlin.
I am on my way back to Berlin, ecstatic, content and
confident as if I have won some battle, well, it was nothing less than that for
me. Finally my mind is at peace.
Everyone fears but there comes time when one dares
challenging his fear. I challenged mine.
I did it (Here is video). Do you want to do it?
Then, Go-Jump J
