A memory popped up on Facebook this morning and simultaneously provided inspiration for today's song as well as making me break out in a cold sweat just thinking of it.
The memory:
*Insert high pitched girly scream*
Bungee Jumping was always something I said I wanted to do, mostly to sound all windswept and interesting but also a major bucket list item. In reality, was absolutely terrified just at the thought of it.
Years ago on holiday, the opportunity came up to do a bungee jump and with some excitement, a lot of nerves and possibly one or two cocktails to help seal the deal, I signed up to do it (everyone else was up for it and I didn't want FOMO. So the answer is yes mom, if all my friends jumped off a cliff, I would in fact follow them).
In the days leading up to the jump, started getting really nervous and kept thinking of backing out. We went to Bloukrans which is located close to the border between the Western and Eastern Cape and is home to the highest bungy in the world at 216 meters high.
Once bungee-suited up and all safety checks are complete, you then climb a lot of stairs and walk along a rather narrow walkway (it felt a little like being in The Green Mile) to reach the bridge and then get assigned a number.
The guys working at the bridge were amazing - so well organized and had really put everyone at ease with a mixture of gentle reassurances and humour. The mood was lively and quite festive at the top with fellow jumpees trading nervous jokes and everyone cheering each other on and congratulating those were being hoiked up.
Your number then gets called and its time to get strapped in and literally face your fears. There is a last check to make sure everything is secure and then its count down until the Great Leap.
During the safety chat, you are told to dive off the bridge as though you are about to dive into a swimming pool. Being the kind of girl who does not always follow instructions the way they are meant to be followed, I jumped feet first. Not ideal but in my defense I panicked. The rope did some pulling action and I flipped over faster than a burnt cheese burger (helloooo whiplash!!) and back to the right position.
All I remember was the adrenaline rush, screaming blue murder, possibly weeing a little (not gonna lie) but also the amazing view of the gorge and world below.
Once the rope finally comes to a stop, you then hang suspended above the gorge for a few minutes while you wait for one of the guys to come raise you up. During those few minutes, it's magical - everything is so still and despite a beating heart and gasp every time there was a breeze - you just have this time to appreciate the view and also take a moment to realize you made it and are still in one piece!
They also tell you that when being pulled back up, don't grab onto the person, however as we know by now, I don't "do" instructions and have never been so happy to see another persons leg in my life so there was no way I was letting it go. You come up to a hero's welcome with everyone applauding and cheering you on. It's an amazing feeling and an experience will never forget.
The song:
So, why this song you may ask? I know it's not your typical flinging - yourself- off-a-cliff song and more a sing-into-a-hairbrush-in-your-pj's kind of tune but I'd seen the below explanation about the lyrics and it summed up the experience for me -
"Whatever your baby may be, it's your goal. There may be obstacles on the way, but you can overcome them to reach that goal and if you want it badly enough, nothing will keep you away from getting to it" . This experience was my literal mountain and valley.
'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough,
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, baby
The song was written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 and released by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terell in 1967 resulting in a Top Twenty Hit. "Although the song's roots lie in gospel, the song was inspired by a walkthrough Central Park in Manhattan and the mountain of the title was the city's skyscrapers, representing the ambition of songwriter Nick Ashford" - udiscovermusic.com
While at the time, the mountain definitely felt way too high and the valley waaaay too low, this will always be a memory that can look back on proudly, that was able to overcome this fear and achieve a bucket list goal.
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