A Roller Coaster Flight of Faith and Joy

by Grace Muhoro (Kenya)

A leap into the unknown India

We had spent the past two weeks backpacking and exploring the cities of Leh-Ladakh, Agra and Jaipur; from the Himalayas to Taj Mahal to City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, and Jal Mahal. We had fallen in love with India’s landscapes, cityscapes, architecture and culture; and now we were about to jump into conclusions about its skies. An opportunity to venture into the skies had come knocking again and we had let it in with excitement. It all began back at home in Kenya when my friend Irene informed me that there is tandem paragliding by Sky Ventures and Zip Lining by Flying Fox in Jodhpur. Some friends do not leap at such opportunities but I am not one of them. I thrive on adventure and adrenaline rush. The riskier, the sweeter! After all, I had gained amnesia around the fear and anxiety of bungee jumping at the crocodile waters of Sagana River, sky diving at the sandy Diani beaches and balloon safari at the wild Maasai Mara. On 1 February 2020, we arrived in Jodhpur from Jaipur after a five-hour train ride on a sleeping class coach. After a spicy sumptuous lunch on a hot-sunny afternoon, Pilot Samarth picked us up at an agreed location and drove us in his brown Willy’s jeep to the paragliding point, an hour away. It was a rough fourty-kilometre ride along the dusty and unkempt road. Unknown to us, this same jeep would later pull us into the air once attached to a special power machine. On arrival at the site, the pilot and his crew quickly set up the paragliding equipment after confirming that the wind speed and direction are right for the flights. On curious villagers began to stream in and gather around us as we prepared for take off. Pilot Samarth pointed out that Irene would fly first since she weighed more than I. She put on the safety gear and confidently signed off the disclaimer forms as the crew fastened and reconfirmed the safety checks. Meanwhile, I strategically positioned myself to capture the action-packed leap of faith. The jeep then drove away in a far distance as Irene is instructed to run after it, throwing them into the air in a lightning flash. They soon disappeared to the unknown heavens for a thirty-minute joy ride after which they safely landed at the starting point. It was now my turn to keep the faith and take the jump. Recklessly, without reading the disclaimer clauses I signed away my life into Pilot Samarth’s hands. I squeezed my fingers as the parachute lifted off in a whirl of wind and dust after a millisecond run. Higher and higher we flew until we reached nine hundred feet above the ground. I felt my nerves calm down as I drank in and enjoyed the stunning views of the desert-like area with patches of green, few settlement and turquoise blue lakes estimated to be ten to fifteen feet deep. The cruise in the air was relaxing and calm until the pilot performed roller coaster manoeuvres that I screamed and yelled for my dear life and giggled and laughed at myself. I felt the cold wind on my face as we turned in the air while I sang 'I believe I can fly'. It was exhilarating and thrilling, a fun filled recipe for an adventure spirit. Eventually, we gradually descended and landed smoothly amidst welcoming cheer from onlookers and the crew. As we drove back to Jodhpur in the dark, we could not keep our hands off the Gopro camera that captured the action. We replayed the videos and photos we had clicked away in the chilly skies as we reviewed our experiences. We smiled and laughed at the everlasting memories we will tell and show the world. We thanked the Sky Ventures crew endlessly. We agreed it’s a flight we will never forget, it was worth the time and the money and it will definitely stir the 'Fear Of Missing Out' amongst our adventurous friends. After this lifetime experience, we looked forward to similar captivating moments while zip lining over the Mehrangarh Fort the following morning. How do you think it went down?