We arrived after a six hour bus ride to a quaint little hostel called Balmer's. It looked like it'd come straight out of a fairytale with the greenery growing up the side of the cottage- like structure and rooftop shining with early morning sunshine. We were in wonderland, a Swiss wonderland to be exact.
The place was beautiful, quite, quaint and exactly the paradise I'd needed after the hustle and bustle of a city like Florence. I actually got to sit down a read my book for the first time since I'd arrived in Europe. Plus, the view was incredible. Sweeping mountains, fields of flowers and a clear blue river were about all that made up Interlaken. It was the perfect place for a relaxin weekend or an adventure sport.
Interlaken, Switzerland may look like a fairytale but its one of the most well-know places to participate in adventure sports in Europe. Between paragliding, canyoning, skydiving, white water rafting, bungee jumping and much more there is plenty to get your heart racing, all it takes it a leap of faith, sometimes quite literally.
Though I was enjoying the peace and quiet take a leap of faith I did, I went bungee jumping. I'd never done anything so daring in my life so far but I signed up and I was going to do it. The day of the jump I arrived with butterflies in my stomach and determination in my step-- or should I say jump.
The whole experience was a bit nerve-wracking but worth every mini panic attack and every penny. Going up in the cable car to jump my knees were shaking and heart was racing but I was determined and ready. The jump was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. I took it almost like a dive off the block in swimming and for a moment you feel weightless but, before the panic has time to set in you're already falling.
The whole experience was surreal, probably the best 30 seconds of my life. The adrenaline rush was amazing. For those few seconds I felt on top of the world, confident and happy. Yes, it's a little crazy that only one long rope is keeping you from certain death but the feeling of jumping is like a little imprint on your soul that you'll remember forever. I took a risk but that risk gave me one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my entire study abroad experience and I don't regret it for a second.
