I felt peaceful, relaxed and decided a really pleasant way to see Guanacaste, Costa Rica this beautiful, relaxing place with blue skies, lush green trees and hanging fruits would be through a zip lining adventure.
For those of you who may have never heard of this, zip lining is a cable line between two places that allows you to soar above the landscape capturing a panoramic view of the world around you.
I was looking forward to zip lining, especially in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Those who travelled here before me, and there have been many, said it was fun! I like fun!
I was geared up and ready to go, but then…with that first step onto the zip line platform my knees got weak and they began to shake. A first for me.
OMG, that zip line is so flippin’ long. I can’t see the end.
Prior to standing in the zip line queue, I felt very excited. We had just had a glove lesson and everyone was discussing the lesson to make sure we remembered how to control the speed of the cable line. This is very important.
When I was a kid, I had no fear of heights. I grew up in an apartment building, lived four flights up, and used to sit on the windowsill with my feet dangling outside, chatting with my girlfriend who lived across the alley.
Over the years, I have developed a “slight” fear of heights, I don’t know why because nothing ever happened. I don’t experience this fear all of the time, never when I anticipate an adventure that involves a height. But…when I am actually about to attempt something that involves heights, like zip lining, I sometimes become frightened. Maybe as we acquire wisdom over the years, fears develop.
But I will not to allow fear to dictate how I live.
So, after a workshop in Costa Rica when my friend Daphne said let’s go zip lining, I was in and looking forward to the experience.
I was geared up and ready to go, but then…
with that first step up onto the zip line platform my knees got weak and they began to shake.
OMG, that zip line is so flippin’ long. I can’t see the end.
And what the heck is that sound I am hearing… it was the zip line and it sounded like it was zipping full speed ahead, right past my ears.
All of a sudden, I heard someone repeating ….I don’t think I can do this.
Oh, that’s me repeating I don’t think I can do this, to no one in particular and I step off the platform.
I looked back at Jackie and Paula on line behind me. They had been in the workshop too. Both were shouting, you can do this. We’ll be your cheerleaders and began repeating “Go Francesca Go” numerous times.
Finally….I step back onto the platform again, and hear the guide directing me…. Sit down, bend your knees, cross your legs.
The guide continues, and then “Step off, I’ve got you. “ I’m scared, but follow his guidance.
Now hanging in the air, he adjusts pulleys and then let’s go!
I’m off, and in the background the cheers go up.
I am gliding over the trees, never looking down thinking OMG. I’m here. I’m doing it. It is really beautiful up here.
The trees ahead look so green and full. Although still frightened, it was thrilling. Funny, how you can experience so many conflicting emotions at once.
But then…..as I am approaching the middle, I begin to slow down, getting slower and s l o w e r, almost stopping. I say to myself, concentrate, look ahead, concentrate on the colors.
Suddenly, I feel someone somewhere tugging on my cable, trying to speed me up.
I loosen up my cable hand above me a little to speed up somewhat. If I let go using my hand that is hanging on behind me, that would really speed me up. Can’t do it.
I am going a little faster, seems to be working, but someone is still yanking my cable again. Oh no, I wish he would stop.
I let go in the back, hold my front gear with both hands and Wheeeee. There he is, the guy to unhook me, and here I am, on land again.
Getting unhooked from the cable, the staff tells me I held on too tight, braking too much. I didn’t think I put the brake on at all.
On the two very long and windy zip lines, Luis, a guide went with me. It was Great and we hooted and hollered all the way. Nothing frightening about that.
I travelled alone on the other nine zip lines. There were 11 zip lines in all.
By the 8thth zip line, I was a pro. I looked down, saw the tops of the trees and the panoramic view was breathtaking. I am so thrilled by it all.
The 11th, a short line, the staff asks if I want to try it upside down. I want to, but when attempting to get my feet over my head while hanging in the air, I got scared again. I decided it was ok to zip across in an upright position smiling all the way.
Jackie did it.
I am very happy I zip lined. Will I do it again? I’m thinking about it.
Ever find yourself scared and want steps to calm yourself up there, as I did?
*Take deep breaths and concentrate on the flow of your air going in and
out of your body.
*Focus on the guide’s smile and his calmness.
*Look straight ahead, not down, until you feel comfortable.
*Concentrate on the different shades of green.
*Smile.
Based on My Experience I Highly Recommend Pura Adventures
in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Reason – The Staff is Very Professional, Observant
- Knew how to deal with kids and adults.
- Understood when you needed a guide and when you could do it alone.
- Made it fun.
- Provided history of the ranch on which we were zip lining.
Rating: On a scale of 1- 10 (highest) = 10
(I am not receiving compensation for this recommendation. I like to recommend places where I have good experiences.)
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