Abs not required

In Swaziland, after a long day of white water rafting, our guides brought us into the cliffs to go abseiling. I was still in shock that I made it through the rapids without falling into the river, which gave me a false sense confidence going into this next adrenalin filled activity. I watched a few people go first, which led to an increased internal amount of fear as well as an external leg shake.

I am a pessimist. I always have been and if I am being honest, I most likely always will be. The moment that I stepped up on the rock and was harnessed in, I thought of all the possible things that could go wrong. The first possibility was that I could lose my footing and slam my face into the rock, ultimately chipping all of my teeth. After suffering through five years of braces, I can't help but panic when it comes to my teeth. Another possibility was that when I sat back into the harness it would snap and I would fall into the raging river beneath. I was basically as skilled as Michael Phelps when I swam butterfly for the Floral Park Pirate's swim team back in the day, but it has been so long that I honestly don't think I would be able to fight the current.

Despite the physical ailments I could endure, I feel that the worst part if something were to happen would be that I decided to dress up as a life size blueberry for the day. I could just imagine the news headline, "Sully from Monster's Inc. doppelgänger gets Squished in Abseiling Accident. "

Here is a recollection of the thoughts racing around my mind throughout the descent down the cliff:

*looks down at right hand holding rope* "Wow, ok. I have to hold all my weight in my right hand. I have never trusted myself less than in this moment. 

                     

"This guy better stop giving me a thumbs up. Do you honestly think that I feel better because of it? I got a finger for you too and if I didn't have to hold this rope you would understand how I feel."

   

"I can only imagine what I look like to everyone on top of the cliff right now. I feel like I am serving legs for days with a face of slight constipation. "

                            

"Someone better grab my blueberry cake before my arms give out."

    

Luckily, I made it to the bottom of the cliff where I was then required to side step my way to safety. The final ledge was about half a foot and the guides referred to the part of the cliff as the Jesus Wall. At this point, there was no cord hooking me to 'Jesus', only the sweaty grip of my hands. I have never had as much faith in my life as I did in that moment. 

Sincerely, 

Stephen

           

Rolling down the river

*concerned*

Over break, we travelled to Swaziland and spent a week on a beautiful nature reserve. While we were there we decided to all sign up and go white water rafting down the Great Usuthu River. This river runs through South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. The name Suthu refers to the Basotho people who settled near the source of the river until they were attacked and forced to move by the Swazis.

After an hour drive into the mountains we finally reached the access point to the river. I buckled my life jacket, adjusted my helmet and secured my bathing suit because the last thing I needed was to moon everyone while the sun was still out. I joined the semi-circle around the boats and began to mentally prepare myself for the journey ahead. 

Our guides explained how to maneuver our boats and what to do if we ever fell out. It felt like driver's ed all over again minus the 20 minute stop at Dunkin Donuts with Mr. Marcus our instructor. The guide warned us to remain towards the center of the river and to always continue to paddle because hippos, alligators and snakes were all potential threats. Al and I were sharing a boat together and lets just say that we were not too confident in our abilities. I mean my friend Jocelyn always calls me a NARP (Non-athletic regular person; this explanation is for you mom) and as much as I don't want to agree with her, it is true, except on the volleyball court.

The calm before the storm

We all dragged our boats into the river and began to paddle in a straight line like ducks in a row. As we approached the first rapid, it was just a taste of what we would end up facing in the final stretch of our journey. Most of us were able to make it through the first rapid, but it only got harder as we travelled further down the river.

                           

                            

There should have been a warning that this was going to be one of the most intense workouts I have ever done. I felt like I was on the biggest loser and our guide was Jillian Michaels. He just kept yelling at Al and I for going the wrong way, but it's not our fault that the river was just taking us. My biggest fear was falling out and not be able to get myself back in the boat.

Some tips for when you fall into the river are as followed:

1. Keep your feet up and in front of you to avoid hitting your head on a rock.

2. Attempt to hold on to your paddle/ retrieve it.

3. Put your paddle in the boat and push yourself down into water to propel upwards.

           

4. Once you do that, make sure to reach across to push the other side of boat down.
(Warning: Boat could flip if you do not do this)

5. Balance your weight in boat to help your partner get in.

After we were all secure in our boats, it was time to continue rolling down the river! The next rapid was a man-made one created by the dam that broke up the river. Here are some candid moments from our second rapid: 

Al and I made it through the whole river without falling out, while 10 out of the 13 boats flipped in the last rapid. I am basically a certified rafter now and might as well pursue it as a career since I have no other plans in place for after graduation next year. Here are some action shots of our final showdown with the rapids: 

Check back later in the week to hear about some of my other adventures!

Sincerely,

Stephen