Bungee Jumping!

This week has been quite busy! We passed the motorcycle safety course (military requires it every 3 years), an all-day (7:30-4:00) event of classroom and riding training. Jeremiah was able to procure another motorcycle so we could take the class together. He liked the bike, and the guy he borrowed it from was selling it, so Jer is now the proud owner of a 2002 Harley Davidson Sportster!
It has taken us a couple of days to get the bikes registered and licensed. It is so much harder to do that kind of stuff here. We finished it all on Friday, but it was late afternoon and the clouds looked ominous. We decided to ride the next day instead (Saturday).
We headed back to base, where our bikes were still stored, and traded 1 car for 2 bikes. This is exciting for us because in the past we've only had one bike so I've almost always had to sit on the back. Now we could ride together separately!
It would have been cool had we known of any motorcycle eatery hangouts, but we're new here, so we coolly rode on over to the BX for some grub.
On our way to base we noticed a huge crane and bungee jumpers. After we were done eating we decided to head over and check it out. I wanted to watch people jump! We watched and I was amazed at how people would ride the tall taxi up then fall off so casually, it seemed. I admit I was even further intrigued when there were almost just as many women as men. I decided I wanted to do it! I asked Jer and he agreed to do it with me. My adrenaline was starting to pump!
We called our friend Matt, who for some reason thought we were crazy, to come watch and please bring his camera. He hurried over to wait another almost 2 hours in line with us. The back of the line was a bunch of people standing in a group that would fade out into single-file once we hit the 2 benches, which were side-by-side. Once we got to those benches, the line started moving faster. At the end of the 2nd bench was a tent where we had our gear fastened on. After we were strapped up, there was a final bench--reserved only for the jumpers (Matt had to stand). As I sat there, I couldn't stop smiling, laughing, and bouncing my legs in excited anxiety. As I write this, I think my heart is beating a bit faster just remembering!
I really wanted to go first. I wanted to prove I could do it on my own accord, from my own gutsy will. I went out and got hooked up to the bungee cords. I stood on the platform outside of the car and was secured in the back by a hook so I wouldn't accidentally fall on the way up.
The way up: It was very high. I was really nervous. The guy in the cab was great! He explained that I should let go of my left arm first, then my right, then count to 3 and fall. We were at the top. He unhooked the safety carabiner from my back. It was all me. I repeated the instructions, "So, I should take my left arm off," (he coaxes my left arm off the rail), "then my right arm off..." (he coaxes my right arm off). I immediately dropped my right arm back to the rail, "then count to 3 and fall." "Yes." Not sure I understand, I repeat again, holding both hands to the rail. "So, I'm going to take my left hand off, then my right hand off, count to 3 and then jump." "Yes" OK. I think I understand. Look at how high up I am! I can see the earth! I start to look down--"Don't look down!"--so I close my eyes. I don't really want to see how high up I am, but for some reason I feel like I must look the 80 meters down. It's one of those things people do, like purposely smelling farts.
Soon the coach in the cab cajoles my left arm off the rail, "Don't think about it. You're thinking too much." Of course I am! So, I repeat the instructions again. Another patient "Yes." Ok. So, don't think about it. Just think about my instructions. I just need to make sure my feet are in the right position--on the edge so I don't clip the platform. I don't dare look down, but I do say out loud what I'm doing--in a what-was-probably-funny mixture of German/English. I feel for the edge. There it is--I'm on it! And with the heavy bungee cord attached to my lower legs/ankles there was no way I was moving my feet back!
"First take your left hand off (he moves it in place for me), then your right hand--I've got you! (he was holding onto the back of my harness)--then count to 3..." I clutch back on to the railing. Soon he says, "If you don't jump then we will have to ride back down." Oh, no! I could never endure the dreaded Ride of Shame! OK, ok. I will do it. I shut my eyes tight and spoke in a controlled voice while doing each movement, "Take my left hand off," (I took it off). "Take my right hand off," (I took it off). One. Two. Three! Falling, screaming, falling, screaming--doing both simultaneously on my way down, down, down to earth! When the bungee caught I sprung back up and fell again, finally opening my eyes while screaming. I was so pumped! I was cheering for myself that I had done it. I screamed at how awesome it had been. Had there been a contest, I would have won first place for "biggest goofy smile." I hanged suspended by my ankles until the ground worker could reach my arms and pull me over to a mat to unhook me. I jumped up and hugged the cab worker for being patient and helping me. I had so much adrenaline pumping through my body!
Jer's turn. He did it just as easily as everyone else before me: took the ride up, counted to 3, and dived off. He was much more graceful than I was.

He even had the frame of mind to give "thumbs up" and "rock on" hands. He's awesome!
I later found out that when I finally jumped, the crowd below cheered for me. Makes me smile now. I'm sure some just wanted me to hurry so it would be their turn sooner, but I still like that everyone there was excited for each other to jump off a perfectly solid platform for no reason.
We lucked out to not have a single drop of rain fall, even though the clouds were threatening. We soon mounted our motorcycles again.
I can't believe I went bungee jumping. I never thought I wanted to. I can't believe I did it! Ich bin begeistert, dass ich es gemacht habe!