Okay, there’s a story behind this. Isn’t there\u00a0always? This story starts in May 2014 when I went to a bar in Christchurch to meet someone. And now, nine months later, I jumped out off a plane 19,000 ft above the ground. Just because, back then, I met Rob.
\n<\/p>\n
German Version<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Actually, Rob was not the one I was supposed to meet. I’ll spare you the details. All you need to know is: That night I became a homeless traveller. Out of the blue my comfortable flatmate agreement vanished and staying \u201chome\u201d was not an option, going to a bar instead was. And as I was already invited out anyway, to the bar I went \u2026<\/p>\n I love the idea that every action, every step you take is linked. You are the\u00a0puppet and the puppeteer. You pull your own strings and these strings become the common thread that runs through your life. Looking back you can recap how the choices you made led you to the right people. These people lead you in the right directions. But it is you who inevitably takes the turns.<\/p>\n In that cold and damp night in late fall I took my turn: out the door, down Madras Street, into Winnie Bagoes<\/a>. After my second drink \u2013 oh how I needed a drink \u2013 I met Rob, a friend of a colleague of a colleague, the usual, and as things always seem to work out so Rob became my new flatmate.<\/p>\n Rob is a pilot. Pilots tend to hang out with other aviators. Same with journalists, doctors or morticians \u2013 if you go through the same education \u2026 anyway. So pilot Rob is best mates with pilot James. Pilot James runs a skydiving business down in Franz Josef, where New Zealand starts to look ridiculously stunning.<\/p>\n In 2010 James founded Skydive Franz<\/em>. The business model: thrilling tourists on a daily basis by flying them up and then throwing them out of a plane. They offer the highest skydive in the southern hemisphere: 19,000 ft above ground, free fall, free oxygen, no training required. Sounds lovely!<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re ever down at the West Coast \u2026\u201d said Rob in June. „Yeah, let’s see…“ not\u00a0fully convinced that I wanted\u00a0to drop to the ground like a rock, „but thanks for the offer.“ I replied.<\/p>\n And here I am, sitting in a tiny plane 19,000 ft above New Zealand\u2019s West Coast, my back tightly tucked to a guy I\u2019ve just met. His name is Dan and he will jump with me. Luckily he’s done this before, half a dozen times today and its only 1 pm. Dan has had the chance to do hundreds of jumps all around the world and right now that\u2019s all I need to know.<\/p>\n One step forward, a turn and what follows are 90 seconds of a mindfucking adrenalin fuelled rush. And a lot of spit on my face that makes me look like the famous flying hooker.<\/p>\n Dan is now my puppeteer. He pulls the string of the parachute and we\u2019re gliding. Nothing I can do about it. I\u2019m not used to being out of control, not in charge of my own life. I feel like a drunken fool, no proper brain function. I babble and babble, more than usual. I tell Dan that I love him. He laughs and says \u201cThank you\u201d. This is awkward. This is perfect!<\/p>\n Nine months ago I stepped out a door and chose a new direction. This decision led me to 2,5 minutes of pure bliss. 1.5 years ago I met that Tchech guy in Norway. He told me that New Zealand is quite nice and that I should visit someday. Well, that\u2019s another story. I’ll spare you the details.<\/a><\/p>\n According to what I said in the video: I DID NOT wear a wingsuit. It was a jump suit. Blame it to the fact that I was about to shit my pants. But that feeling passed quickly, thanks to the very chilled and entertaining\u00a0skydive guys. If you’re ever happen to be in Franz Josef, stop by Skydive Franz<\/em>, say hi from me and just\u00a0jump!<\/p>\n
\nDisclaimer<\/span>\n