Before coming
to Ibaraki Prefecture, I had no idea that there were so many things to do and
places to see. Within the first week of my stay, the students told me that
Ibaraki was host to a very popular bungee jumping location. I came to Japan
with the full intention of living life to the fullest, so bungee jumping was
definitely something I wanted to try.
Interestingly
enough, my first host family took me to the Ryujin Suspension Bridge within
that first week. This is where Japan’s highest bungee jump is located. I did
not jump that day. To bungee jump you must book your jump several weeks in
advance.
Honestly,
I was scared of walking on the bridge the first time I am a bit surprised that
I followed through with bungee jumping. I asked Patrick and Erina to accompany
me in this adrenaline pumped experience. At first we were all very excited, but
when we stepped down onto the bungee platform (which is underneath the initial
bridge walkway) that excitement vanished. We were left with sweaty palms and
racing hearts. There was no turning back.
The
original plan was for Patrick to jump first, then me, and then Erina. But the
bungee workers make the people who weigh the lightest jump first. So I had to
do the first jump! I wasn’t ready. I could see and hear the instructors tell me
what to do, but all I could think about was the possibility of something going
wrong. What really scared me is they strap your ankles together and then ask
you to stand at the edge of the platform, with your toes hanging off. At this
moment, all I wanted was ability to move my legs freely and to grab on to the
framework of the bridge. But the bungee workers tell you that you must hold
your hands out, look straight forward, and jump when the yell “BUNGEE!”
As the
famous quote goes: “life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but
by the moments that take our breath away.” I was breathing so fast that I felt like
stopped breathing completely. When the workers quickly counted down and yelled
that bungee I closed my eyes and jumped. As I fell through the air I let out a quick
scream. You would not believe how fast you fall and then come right back up! (To
those who are wondering, bungee jumping isn’t painful.) The whole experience
was breathe taking. When I was being pulled up all I could do was laugh. I had
never been so scared in my life and yet I had never had such an amazing
feeling. It was unforgettable!
After I
was lifted back up onto the platform, Erina’s jump and Patrick’s jump were
almost immediate. Erina jump bounced the highest and Patrick’s jumping form was
flawless. We all survived our first bungee experience! We celebrated our accomplishments
and gathered with both friends and family to enjoy a delicious lunch at the restaurant
next to bridge. It was a perfect ending to an amazing experience. However, as
amazing as it was, it will be quite some time before I jump off another bridge.
