I once said that I wanted to skydive before turning 26.... I have not tried yet, but I guess this time is not so far since I am now living with AM, who used to be a skydiving instructor (and whose friends are almost ALL skydivers!). They can be quite convincing when they start talking about their passions…

In the meantime, I did something very exciting today! One of AM's friends, B took me on an aerobatic plane!! So much fun!

When I met B and his partner H two weeks ago, they told me about their numerous and very interesting passions. One of them: Aerobatics. On that day, H was supposed to take AM flying but the flight was cancelled because of the weather. B asked me if I would be interested to go another time. I responded yes without thinking that it would be two weeks later!!

I was a little nervous, especially since I have always feared roller coasters and I don’t particularly love heights. The weather was gorgeous – wonderful day to see Sydney from above. There was a bit of haze though, which meant that only the highest buildings from the city centre could be seen from far away.

After explaining how to tie myself to the seat with the harness, where to put my feet, etc., Helen (Bill’s partner, also a pilot) let us go. We took off without having to wait. On Sunday morning some pilots like to sleep in! First, B had to move away from the airport. What a nice and relaxing flight, I thought! We had a great view and I felt really lucky to be there. I would have liked to take some pictures, but you will understand that this is unfortunately impossible.

Shortly after, the fun began!

We had headsets for us to communicate and for B to communicate with the control tower. B asked me what I would like him to do… Somehow I don’t think he realised that I knew nothing at all about planes, aerobatics or G Force! I responded ‘Whatever you’d like.’ He then explained the sequences that he would make… At this point, my brain did not really register. I was just trying to focus on keeping my feet where they were supposed to be and wondering IF and WHEN I would get sick.

First sequence – I guess this one was the easiest of the three, but the hardest one in the sense that I did not know that to expect at all. I would like to remember the names of all the tricks B did with the plane, but unfortunately I don’t. I finally understood what G Force meant. It is an amazing feeling to be in the air like that, to see houses, lake, etc. upside down, to realise that you are up there, head upside down, but still attached to a plane. I would like to describe the feeling, but I am still incapable of putting it into words. When B finished and put the plane back into a straight line, all I was able to say was ‘WOW!’ I did not feel sick at that point and I was quite happy about it.

The second sequence was truly amazing. I think it is at this point I probably had my mouth wide open or a big grin on my face. The sun was very hot though, so I started to feel a bit hot in the plane. I should have known what would happen next. I had a few ‘blank’ moments, but apparently this is quite common.

I think it was at the third sequence, right at the end of B’s last movement that I said ‘I am starting to feel sick.’ Two seconds later, I had to take one of the sick bags, conveniently located beside my seat and started vomiting my breakfast. After that, I felt better. B still said that it was probably time to go back. Good idea. On the way down, I had to take another bag out.

Back on land, I had to vomit again twice. It took me at least 45 minutes to feel better. Not as bad as seasickness I think. Despite these stomach issues, I truly enjoyed my experience. It was definitely the most amazing thing I have ever tried.

AM also went on a light with H. I was impressed because she did not get sick. She did say that she felt a bit weird in the hour following the flight though. She had actually tried before and even piloted a little bit.

Je me sens un peu coupable. Il est à peu près temps que je mette à jour mon blogue... d'autant plus que le nombre de visiteurs a augmenté grâce à de nouveaux référents, dont notamment un site regroupant les blogues d'expatriés québécois: Quebecois.Eu.

Les raisons de mon silence? Durant les dernières semaines, j'ai déménagé, remis un chapitre de thèse et écrit un article d'encyclopédie, participé à deux triathlons, et je prépare ma présentation pour une conférence qui aura lieu à la fin du mois de novembre.

L'été s'en vient. Nous avons eu plusieurs journées de 30 degrés, puis il a fait 8 degrés hier matin. C'est à n'y rien comprendre. Pas du tout normal pour le mois de novembre! Le matin, il est difficile de savoir s'il faut sortir les sandales ou le foulard. Il a même neigé à certains endroits.

Dans les Blue Mountains, des feux de forêt demeurent toujours incontrôlés. Rien d'inhabituel, mais je pense que cette année sera tout de même plus difficile en raison de l'importante sécheresse.
Pas de randonnée pour les prochaines semaines. La dernière fois que je me suis rendue dans les Blue Mountains, c'était lors de la visite de Martine. Martine est la fille de Julienne, la dame qui me gardait lorsque j'étais à l'école primaire. Martine habite normalement à Québec, mais elle a pris une année de congé pour visiter l'Australie et la Nouvelle-Zélande.