Fear factor on the way up

general 11 Comments
Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

It’s an irony when someone two meters tall (six foot six and a half) is scared of heights.

But that is indeed the case with me personally, and I was absolutely terrified when going up the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 2002.

This discussion represents the first part of my contribution toward Robert Hruzek’s group writing project, entitled “What I learned from .. a mountain top experience.” If I have a chance, I will describe a second experience in tomorrow’s discussion.

In actual fact, when asking for participants to describe their mountain-top experiences, Robert is referring to an emotional experience more than an experience of a physical nature. He is talking about experiencing a feeling of elation - a feeling of being on top of the world from an emotional viewpoint more so than from a physical viewpoint.

Nevertheless, going up the tower involved a fair amount of emotion for me – fear and anxiety at the bottom, elation and euphoria at the top. For this reason, I feel that it is appropriate for me to relate this experience as the first part of my contribution to Robert’s project.

(Unfortunately, I do not have a personal photograph to share - I had not been introduced to the world of digital cameras at that point)

 
The fear factor

Sensing the extent of my trepidation, my brother, who had already made the trip on a previous occasion, had assured me at the bottom that we did not have to go all the way up. But fearful though I was, I knew that I may not have the chance to visit Paris again. This could be my one and only shot. If I held back, I would be sorry.

Getting up the first two floors was difficult enough, particularly as the curved structure at the base of the building mandates a somewhat angled ascent as far as the first floor. But the final part - from the second floor half way up to the third floor at the top - was downright frightening.

My sunglasses came in handy. Not only did these enable me to hide my facial expressions, and therefore the extent of my trepidation, they also enabled me to close my eyes without anyone noticing. This made the ascention process somewhat bearable.

What did not help, on the other hand, was the commentary of the American tourist immediately beside me. His running description about how high we were was not what I needed.

Somewhat more helpful was my brother. Knowing that my eyes were closed, at one point he assured me that we were not much more than ten meters from the top. The reality at the time was that there was more than fifty meters to go. Nevertheless, the thought of being almost there (no matter how false) did help me to hang on.

Making it safely to the top, I opened my eyes to a splendid view across the city of Paris – a view which is second to none in terms of views across any city which I have myself have experienced.

 
Lessons Learned
Non serious:

• don’t forget to pack a pair of sunglasses - these are handy for hiding facial expressions (fear, embarrassment, etc);
• whenever you are a short way off great heights, you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be someone to describe how far you have to fall; and
• you can always be sure to have some well meaning family member tell you that you are closer to your goals than what you indeed actually are.

Serious:
• When you’ve only got one shot, take it – don’t hold back. If you do, you’ll be glad for the rest of the life. If you don’t, you may harbor regrets for years to come.

11 Responses to “Fear factor on the way up”

  1. Robert Hruzek Says:
    June 4th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    Oh, so true, Andrew – especially the part about the guy who is more than willing to let you know just how far it is for you to fall! I imagine you heard a few of those when you decided to go to Korea to teach English, am I right? ;-)

    Can’t wait to hear the rest of this story…

  2. Meryl Evans Says:
    June 4th, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    When I went skydiving — I was far more nervous on the ground than on the plane. I don’t know why. It does not follow logic.

    Meryl Evanss last blog post..Why Writers Should Have a Platform

  3. Andrew Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 7:50 am

    Hi Robert,

    As a matter of fact, the majority of the people that I spoke to about it were quite encouraging, although one of two were quick to remind me about just how close South Korea was (and still is) to North Korea, and about how North Korea represents a good country to stay well away from!

    Merryl,

    That does sound like a bit of a contradiction, but I take my hat off to you for having the courage to do it in any event.

    I’ve never been sky diving before, but I reckon that I would have been pretty damn nervous on that plane!

    Andrews last blog post..Fear factor on the way up

  4. Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    Liked lessons learned!
    Especially the one about having one shot

    Alik Levin | PracticeThis.coms last blog post..Meet Me 2.0

  5. drew Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    Hi Alik,

    Yeah, I would say that’s a fairly important lesson.

  6. Jake Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 4:35 am

    dude I am scared to death of heights.. always have been! I dunno what i’m gonna do when we fly to the tropics for our honeymoon next year.. i’ve never flown either and just the thought of it gives me anxiety!

    Jakes last blog post..It’s Friday – Ebay Daily Deals – Come a Little Closer!

  7. Middle Zone Musings » All Entries: What I Learned From a Mountaintop Experience Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    [...] Fear Factor On The Way Up, by Andrew at Good Honest Dollar [...]

  8. Andrew Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    Hi Jake,

    The tropics for your honeymoon? How exciting – cool!

    I think you will be alright once you get going. I personally find the takeoff process can be somewhat hair-raising, but more than likely, you will be OK after the first few minutes once the plane levels off. Sure you can experience turbulence, but in absence of any form of extreme weather conditions, I would think it would be highly unlikely that you will experience anything too traumatic.

    Just remember this – once you are baking in the sun on a tropical beach with your new wife, you will most likely have forgotten all about that anxiety about the flight.

    Andrews last blog post..Climbing to the top

  9. Jake Says:
    June 9th, 2009 at 10:02 am

    haha.. thanks for the encouragement.. I’ll come back and read this often LOL

    You’re right, I will surely forget about it when we’re there.. UNTIL I realize i have to get back on the plane to come home! haha

    Jakes last blog post..Angel Food Ministries – June 2009 Info

  10. Andrew Says:
    June 10th, 2009 at 1:14 am

    I guess you’re right, Jake – what goes away must come back!

    Andrews last blog post..Climbing to the top

  11. Drunks Babes Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:38 am

    I should email you about it.

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