My Bucket List #1 (2017–2019)
Your mission: Be so busy loving your life that you have no time for hate, regret, or fear.
— Karen Salmansohn
Growing up, I had a lot of dreams most of which seemed impossible at that time. I picked some of them and put them on a stick note. I call them “My Bucket List #1”. Most of them are adventurous and I will probably not attempt them ever again. While you read through the rest of this blog, I recommend listening to Avicii — The Nights in the background.
Following are the contents of my Bucket List:
- Fly an airplane
- Paraglide in the air for 15 mins
- Hang glide for 30 seconds
- Remix an Avicii track
- Survive a winter trek (less than -20°C)
- Visit Vatican City
- Skydive from 13000ft
As a kid, I was fascinated by the sky and always wanted to be a pilot. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but someone told me about hobby flying and I was completely game for gaining that experience. Lucky for me, I got that opportunity in my home city — Bangalore. I co-piloted a microlight aircraft for about 20 minutes in the air at about 7000ft above sea level. To all the gamer pilots out there, up in the air — it is way different, but way more fun!! The wind will not go easy on you. Just recall whatever you can about relative velocity and it will help. So far, I have accumulated 65 minutes of total airtime. Thanks to Nithin (the organizer) and Prashanth (my co-pilot).
The rawest form of flying is Paragliding. You feel liberated and let the wind take you wherever you want. At Daly City, California, where the Pacific Ocean meets Mussel Rock, the cold breeze pushes you forward, and the Sun shines at you — it is an epic state of equilibrium. Thanks to Matt (my navigator). I hope to be back someday to complete the month-long course to fly solo next time.
If you have seen the Eagle spread its wings and glide through the sky, then you know what I am talking about. Floating through the air with wide wings and literally no support but the force of the wind. Your body is your navigator. Hang gliding can be done on a beach or up in the mountains. A short run and jump, and up you go in the air! Playa Del Ray, Los Angeles is the perfect spot for surfing and beginner Hang gliders. Thanks to Andy Beem (my instructor) and Vivek.
Through his music, Avicii has had a great influence on me. So much that I wanted to produce my own music. Through a lot of trial and error, and after working on it for more than a year, I was finally able to complete my Tribute track. He will always live in our hearts through his music.
Without You — Avicii Tribute Track
As humans, we tend to limit ourselves by our thoughts. If we broaden our vision, we can do way more things than we think ourselves capable of. Chadar Trek, the winter trek comprising of walking on ice for 4 days at -35 degrees, was something I thought that I could never do. What would we eat, where will we sleep, what about sanitization, would we survive? There was no limit to the number of questions I had. The planning started 2 months before the Republic Day of 2019. Booking the flights, shopping for warm clothes, and running every day in the morning to redevelop my lost endurance, and to give up alcohol. Towards the end, the whole thing became a leap of faith 😂!
Thanks to Lopsang (our guide) and Tenpa (our amazing cook)!
Dan Brown has always intrigued me through his novels, be it the Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, or the Lost Symbol. The sheer number of references made by Robert Langdon about the Vatican City and the secrets it holds can leave anyone tempted to visit that place at least once — and so when I planned my first Eurotrip, I made sure that I land in Rome and on Day 2, I was in the Vatican City (which, btw, is heavily walled like a fortress). Navigating through the alleyways and the streets, it felt as if I was Robert Langdon decoding all the puzzles.
While in Rome, I (with my friend Nevil) explored the rich history of the city that controlled the massive Roman Empire once. Crazy as we are, it struck us “Why not attempt Sky Dive ?”. Here is the thing — Nobody comes to Italy for Sky diving. It is just not something it is known for. People go to the US, Dubai, New Zealand, or Australia. But, then again an inner voice said — Why not ?.
So the very next day, there we were at Monte Compatri — Pantano to attempt the highest jump of our lives from about 13000ft.
For the period of time, while you are in the state of free fall, you don’t think about anything. For about 60 seconds, you are truly living in the present. There is no past, no future. You are pumped up with adrenalin and that high is one of the best feelings I had experienced. Thanks to Paul (my navigator) and obviously Nevil (my partner in crime).
PS: After finishing this bucket list, my life became boring. I guess I got addicted to that adrenaline rush. A good friend of mine suggested me to create another bucket list. Taking her advice, I have started another list. The items on that list are still in progress.
Stay Tuned for more updates! Peace out!
