Post - vacation to Vancouver, British Columbia, my beloved home, I am not slowing down, quite surprisingly. The nostalgic, full of familiarity, time spent with loving family and friends, sharing unforgettable moments and reminiscing whilst creating new memories. I was surrounded by people I love so dearly and was reconnected with old friends too. It meant the world to me. I know what true love is and am the luckiest girl in the world. The holiday season has renewed energy within and the reunions are poignant and embedded. How can I live a world away from my "roots"? As torn as I may be, upon relection, I know there is such support. My love is reciprocated and it is vivid.
I continue, "keeping up and keeping on". I am meeting like- minded people and expanding my learning and am wide eyed! Perhaps pushing the limits a bit, but becoming accustomed to continuous newness and excitement.
Since my last writing, I returned from Seoul, Korea and my amazing vacation to my hometown. How beautifully eventful life has been since. I am not sure where to begin! I have operated several "repeat" flights and some new; Johannesburg, South Africa and Munich, Germany, for example. All have been spectacular, memorable and continuously inspiring.
To keep some sort of focused timeline and to have a beginning stepping stone to current date, as time astonishingly brings me to the month of February, allow me to begin with New Years' Eve!
I touched down, returning to Dubai, from "Hanging out in Hong Kong;" a bonding - with -crew, two-day layover that consisted of firstly, letting off steam with four pilots from Air Berlin and some crazy Australian gals, a Czech gal and a Spanish friend, and the night eventually wound me down to wake up to an extremely funfilled day at the Hong Kong Disneyland! An adventure with a cool girl from Egypt. Quite the kalaidescope of company and sights.
Back in Dubai; New Years Eve - I forced myself to gather some energy, put on a party dress and complete the outfit with dreaded heels. I was to meet up with my dear friend, Monaco, and join her at a house party. With only an hour to get to my 20 minute - away destination, I flagged a taxi. After much arguing and changing of routes, it was fruitless to think I would make it to my friends' venue before midnight. The taxi driver and I quit debating and it was inevitable that we would be watching the fireworks together. We were abruptly and rudely stopped on a five lane highway on Sheik Zayed Road, in front of the Burj Khalifa. Ten minutes to midnight. I stepped outside for a moment and dialed my friends to tell them I'd join them after midnight for a belated celebration. It may be hours before I could reach them as the city was shut down!
At that moment a man on a motorcycle approached me and devilishly asked me if I wanted a ride. Under other circumstances I would not be an advocate for such risks - actually, that is not true, I weighed my options and being a complete motorcycle loving, risk - taker, I jumped on in my short dress and bore my heels onto the pegs. We zipped in and out of traffic and I watched the fireworks from the back of this gentleman's bike! It was straight out of a movie! He was an excellent rider and for some reason I felt safe speeding down the highway without a helmet. (Thinking consciously later, I can vow that I will be smarter next time and care for my safety!) It was an amazing and unforgettable night. Most often spontainiety is the perfect recipe for the making of a memory and I was thrilled to have allowed myself to enjoy that adventure! The rest of the night - into the morning is history...
Speaking of adventures, I recently returned from a Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand operational. The six - day layover was incredible. The flights were a breeze and I had company along one sector. A friend booked himself on my flight as he was on his way home to Auckland, for leave. We met up in Auckland and he showed me some very beautiful sights. It is summer in the South Pacific and with the warm weather I had feelings of being on vacation! We shared an amazing meal at a cozy and hip outdoor bistro that had a sensational menu, complete with New Zealand wine. The night ended with Champagne and many laughs.
The morning of this 24 hour layover, I was surprised by said friend, with a car ride to the country. This journey brought us to Auckland SKYDIVE! I was stunned and didn't have a chance, even if I thought for a brief second, that I could get out of this one! Even though I have been waiting for this moment, I went through all the usual emotions; denial, shock, perhaps even anger, to name a few. Before long I was grinning ear to ear and with an incredibly goofy smile fixed on my face, we suited up! After absorbing only a fraction of the instructions presented to us, we boarded the small aircraft and took off. The scene was incredible; I mean the scene and the scenery! My friend and I were the only "tourists" that day and we went up with avid jumpers who were happy to be going up for a leisurely dive on our dime. The crew knew we were used to high altitudes and upon our stunned agreeance, took us a little higher than I think was legal (don't quote me) and they extended our freefall even though this was both, our first jump! Hell yeah!
I cannot begin to explain the details of each and every moment. My tandem instructor was brilliant. Sam is from the UK and resides in New Zealand where he jumps on some days and surfs the other days. I am not sure what he does at night, but no doubt it is condusive to his rush seeking! We were the last to jump out of the six chutes. I watched each and every jumper get themselves to the edge of the open doors and push off! The anticipation heightened my experience and I became more and more expectant as my turn neared! We shimmied over to the edge, Sam and I, my breath caught and I concentrated on arching my back and looking up. We dropped! I watched the white, gleaming plane above us become smaller and smaller as we plummeted downward. I tried to breathe and then relaxed into it; even finding myself smiling as I took in the sights; the sparkling coastline, the beautiful landscape, the fluffy clouds and the colourful parachutes below. After about 45 to 55 seconds the chute was pulled and the sensation was such a rush, as I was able to comprehend what just happened, and all became quiet in my ears. There was a camera in my face, which is bitter-sweet. Bitter because I am camera shy and wanted to be only aware of sky and the earth. Sweet because when I watch the video I cannot stop rolling around on the ground, laughing, and the memory rushes back all at once, all over again. Incredible!
I owe many, many thanks to the weather -gods that day, and more importantly, to my friend who made this amazing day happen for us. Thank you, H! We shared something that I will never forget - a pinnacle experience engraved! I certainly feel very alive and even with that thrilling jump fresh in my mind, and another jump in my sights, my new travel buddy and I vow to top that expedition. Perhaps a surfing school vacation in Bali or the South of France, or a cable car bungee "flight" in South Africa... I am off to do some research!!
