Guest Blog by Edwin Ouellette

Photos Courtesy of A.J. Hackett Bungy
“You Only Live Once” by the Strokes was playing in the loudspeakers. Ronan had already jumped and Scott and I were being strapped into bungy harnesses at the top of the Kawarau Bridge Bungy in Queenstown, New Zealand. It was mid-semester break and Ronan and Scott were buddies and fellow adventurers from the University of Otago. The three of us were about to jump off the world’s first bungy.
Scott was next. He hobbled to the edge and peered over. The wooden platform was visibly worn from all of the thousands of shoes that had made the leap. “Fuck me!” said Scott in his trademark Scottish way.
“Look at the camera, smile and give a big thumbs up!” said the friendly bungy operator. The two instructors began the countdown, “5…4…3…2…1…” And Scott was gone.
My time had come.
I’m not so much scared of heights; it’s more that I don’t trust myself not to throw my own body over an abyss or precipice. As a kid, I remember climbing the Douglas firs on my family’s property, walking out on a limb and cowabunging off. This wasn’t so different. In my heart, I knew this was something that I simply needed to do. Besides, New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world. For crying out loud, modern bungy jumping was invented by kiwi A.J. Hackett. I couldn’t not take the leap.
“Is there any special way you’re supposed to jump?” I asked anxiously. Suddenly, 141 feet seemed a hell of a lot higher.
“Look out straight ahead, spread out your arms like you’re doing a swan dive, then jump out. It’s that easy,” said the rather-scruffy-looking instructor. “You’ll be alright.” And with that he gave me a slap on the back – as if that would instantly quell my fears.
With harness securely attached and some weak-looking straps and towel wrapped around both of my legs, I cautiously bunny-hopped to the edge of the platform. Below, I could see the tiny yellow raft floating in the middle of the river. Scott was already climbing the stairs back up to the bridge lookout. The cold wind slapped against my body. I’d be free falling in mere seconds.
My insides were doing some sort of queasy gymnastics routine. Look at the camera. Smile! Thumbs up. The countdown. My brain went blank. I bent my knees and took the leap.

Editor’s Note: Edwin survived his first bungy jump and plans to skydive next.

Read more stories from study abroad students in our Spring 2010 series, Blogs from Abroad, including Edwin’s other posts.

Edwin Ouellette is a senior majoring in Magazine Journalism and Political Science at the University of Oregon. Due to his love of kiwi culture (including Flight of the Conchords, of course) he chose to study abroad as a scarfie at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. When not pouring over ancient manuscripts and homework, some of his hobbies include boxing, badminton, writing, guitar-playing, and cartooning. After graduation he plans to become an online journalist, a cartoonist, an author, a penguin expert, and a world traveler. To read more about his adventures, which are mostly epic, visit his blog.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Leap of Faith