The first time I went zip lining was this past summer at Camp Cotubic. I found some free time and went down by the little lake there. I climbed up that rock wall, which was surprisingly hard because the rocks kept moving. They weren’t screwed in tight enough. Then when I got to the top and was hooked up to the cable, I was suddenly completely terrified by the height and the fact I was on a little platform. “I’m not usually this scared of heights. Why am I so scared?” I thought. Finally, I let go and jumped off. It was exhilarating experience and so much fun. Of course, at camp Cotubic, it’s just over a tiny little man-made lake and line is so quick. Well, today I went zip lining in the jungle.
We woke up early and ate a light breakfast and headed out to Panajachel to a nature reserve where you can go zip lining. Not only did Youth Corps participants go, but also Pedro and all the older kids from Eagle’s Nest came as well. This was the first time these kids have gone zip lining. We hiked going up, about 20 minutes to the first zip line. We saw beautiful waterfalls and crossed five swinging bridges.
Once we made it to the first platform, I was surprisingly not as terrified this time as I was this past summer. I was a little nervous and a little excited before-hand, but once I got onto the first platform, all nervousness left me and I felt exhilarated. I let go and off I went! I sailed over canopies of banana trees and saw breath-taking views of volcanoes and little towns in the distance. This experience was much more exciting and a lot less terrifying than my experience at camp this summer.
After our exciting adventure we all went out to eat at a nice little restaurant in Panajachel. We treated the kids to lunch and enjoyed their company away from the orphanage. Afterwards, the kids went home and the rest of us went shopping around town. We practiced our haggling skills and enjoyed each other’s company. In the afternoon we were able to spend some time with the other children who weren’t able to go. Overall, it was an awesome day.