Freefall Feelings: My Skydiving Experience

Jumping out of a plane has been on my bucket list since I was fifteen. As an Arsenal fan, life can get tough, so skydiving just felt fitting. The taxi ride to the location got me anxious. The anticipation grew as I walked through the door. Skydiving instructors were preparing their parachutes, and other divers were waiting, smiling but nervous. I started considering asking for a refund! I watched a safety video, signed a waiver, and had my weight taken. At the desk, I met a stunning blue-eyed Australian woman who I think was there to comfort us with her smile. Unfortunately, the conversation took a downturn when I asked about 'accidents'. No hesitation... "Has anyone died yet?" And the sarcastic yet expected reply was "Not yet". The two divers also checking in overheard me and decided to tease me about skydiving in The Netherlands; apparently one person every year dies from skydiving.
'Good to know'. It wasn't. The Australian woman assured me that Dubai is accident-free when it comes to skydiving. I smiled and nodded, but I must've looked like I was about to cry.

I was given a buzzer and told to head down in an hour when it starts vibrating. Until then, I could chill in their café and watch other divers come back down. Another hour of anxious waiting. They really know how to build suspense but makes the fall even more exhilarating. Then the overthinking kicked in - "What if I need to go to the toilet while I'm falling?". Rainfall in Dubai? I waited on the balcony where divers gather to watch others land. I couldn't help but ask another diver beside me if falling into the pool was an option. Turns out it's only for competitive skydivers at high speeds. My buzzer went off, thirty minutes early. Wondering why, I made my way down. The next half an hour was all about getting ready - stowing my stuff, doing a video interview, meeting the instructor, and learning the basics. But the most frightening part was watching my name move up the list, indicating when it would be my turn.

We hopped on this cool roofless bus (let's call it a convertible bus!) to reach the plane that would take us up. There were about eight divers, along with their instructors and the camera crew. The moments leading up to getting in the plane are a bit hazy, but I do remember striking some epic poses with my instructor for those awesome photos. My instructor was so chill that I wondered if he was high. The flight up was something else. I was freaking out, but the view was stunning. I felt a mix of relief and nervousness as the jump was getting closer. And then, it was my turn. I watched the first guy flop out of the plane, and then it was time for me to take the leap. Talk about an adrenaline rush! Everyone kept asking me "ready?"
"Do I have a choice?"
“Nope..."
We jumped.

Oh My God! Once I finally took the plunge, it was unreal! My heart was pounding like crazy, and it was a wild mix of excitement, fun, fear, and happiness all at once. I loved every single moment of it and screamed (I think. The wind brushing by my ears I don’t know if I was screaming). From the pictures by beard curved out majestically. My camera woman disappeared like a pro to capture my landing. That's some next-level dedication! Even though the parachute gave me a wedgie to remember, my skydive instructor kept the momentum going and guided you through the stunning view of The Palm Jumeirah. The scenery was breath-taking, but I did not know what to focus on more, the view or whether my crotch was going to make it to the end. Skydiving is an experience that sticks with you forever. One thing for certain is that the Earth is round, she's got curves.