The day had finally arrived: we were going to voluntarily jump off a plane cruising at the altitude of 4000m for the sake of bragging rights. Well, that's what most people think, but it's really just for me to know that I didn't chicken out. Why else would I want to skydive? To feel what it's like to be a bird at free fall before it expands its wings and glides. Though, I do have to say, the moment the parachute opened is most likely nothing close to how it feels when birds take flight. But anyway, it may be easiest to let the photos tell the story...
(before anything can happen, we gotta sign our lives away! of course, you must bring along a doctor's note stating that you're in good health & can physically participate in this dangerous activity)
(the training grounds of skydivers- where they pack and repack their parachute & prepare for jumps; where first-timers get there basic safety lesson prior to boarding the plane)
(gearing up! that's my trainer & partner in my very first skydive! this guy is well qualified with over 7,000 jumps in his life time & perfect safety record. it's good to know one of us knows what we're doing!)
(it's almost funny to see the fear in le bf's eyes as his trainer runs through all the safety procedures. at some point, I was a little worried that his trainer was possibly 3x my age, but that also could mean a lot of experience. half empty or half full, up to you!)
(a picture with le sister- who didn't get to jump because of her back problems- before we head off to meet the rest of the crew going up. after jumping, I can see why it's best to avoid if you have any physical issues because there's such a huge pull when the parachute opens, I'm sure people with injuries will feel it hit hard. so we'll take you to a scrumptious pig-out sessopm after to make it up to u :P)
(the crew going up: 3 of them will be doing some sort of formation, one single & two pairs)
(boarding time!!! even the way we fit into the plane was very precisely planned so we can have a smooth "disembarkment")
(the only time when you can legitimately screaming your lungs out. WHEEEE~)
(preparing for beginners landing: with butt so it gives the trainer enough space to control the rest)
(YES! I didn't have to stop with butt friction~ landed on my two feet like a pro *thumbs up*)
(HUGS~ we did it!)
(le sister couldn't get rid of me because I'm back!)
(it just LOOKED like a very nice day, but in reality, it was scorching. it should be loads better inside, so let's hurry!)
(definitely not what I was expecting to see, but quite a lighthearted piece of work. I like it)
(le Sung sisters in the house: bring on the bling~)
(if you look super closely, you can see the different expressions on the ceiling! how brilliantly playful is that!)
(what a beautiful atrium, with all the warm colors and detailed interiors)
Following Ivy's call to drop by Fragonard- a famous perfumery we visited back in 2008- for some stock replenishment, we swung by the old Sainte Chapelle to take a look at it's flamboyant stained glass windows. Actually, to be honest, I had no idea where we were going and what was there to see. I mean, it's just another church, no? (Yes, after seeing so many, I do get a little numb). Upon entering the building, we were led into this very narrow and low-roofed area with not much to see. I could tell this building was old though, around 770 years old. Then, I saw Ivy turned a corner and took the stairs up. Usually, it's a smart thing to follow Ivy because she always manage to find something worth looking at. So, I followed her up the stairs and turned a corner to be greeted by a multitude of colors! With the sunlight gently beaming through the stained glass windows, it was almost a rainbow party in there! When you look carefully, little scenes can be seen on these panes, except, we couldn't really figure out which way to read them, so we gave up trying to "see picture tell story". Nonetheless, it's a must-see if you ever get the chance to drop by.
(to keep le sister happy, you give her what she wants before she bites someone's head off. whoo, cute perfume bottles, but no...it's worth nothing when I can't eat it)
(talk about details- each "diamond" or half of a diamond contained a scene, and they do stained glass better than I can draw! geebiz)
Side note: I had always found that visiting any place, it's best to have some sort of a guide. Be it a real human guide or a headphones guide, take it. They tend to tell you so much more than what you can see or read, and can really set the mood for the tour. We didn't manage to catch a walking tour of the Garnier Opera House due to timing, and I had a feeling it was because of that that we didn't seem to appreciate the place as much. Despite the Opera House being so fabulously gorgeous, I didn't have the history or stories to back up what I was actually looking at. So, in the end, it felt less than what could have been. So, self-roaming- good; guides- even better.
The evening was upon us as we enjoyed the sunset from afar. The temperature certainly died down a bit, allowing us to feel less anxious. While Ivy branched off in hunt for post cards, le bf and I headed home to prepare dinner: roasted chicken with oven-backed potatoes for main dish and homemade waffles with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Talk about being totally spoiled :P
(let me just say, this chicken didn't even have a chance~ cleaned to the bone!)
(officially the best waffles I've had ever- one point for le bf :P)
This time in Paris had without a doubt been more than expected in a very "anything goes" kind of way, and I took pleasure in that. Maybe it's not such a bad thing to revisit places you've been to, because you will always find something new that catches your eyes. In the same way that every time you watch a movie at different periods of your life, you notice different details. Paris will stay Paris, but I'm forever changing. The next time around, I'm sure to be amazed again, in another light.
(Peace out, Paris! Until next time...)