During the trip I kept a journal, recording the events from each day and documenting the trip. Over this week I am going to post each days entry to remember and celebrate, what was achieved that week, 3 years ago.
DAY1
The first continent was Africa. As Martin lives in South Africa he cracked on and completed the first jump. I was to meet him between Africa and Europe. With the Europe jump being in Madrid, Spain, Martin was flying into London Heathrow to get a connection to Spain. I had to meet him there…Thursday 28th February 5:15am London HeathrowEUROPEThe flight to Madrid, Spain was quick and easy and we arrived around lunchtime. We had pre- arranged for our transfer to the drop zone. When we got through to arrivals we looked around for our transfer but they were not anywhere to be seen. Martin called the drop zone and they told us to get taxi. So we found a bureau de change, got some euros and hopped in a taxi.Once at the drop zone we went straight through to reception where the Spanish receptionist didn’t have a clue what we were saying; this wouldn’t be the first time on the trip we would get lost in translation. She managed to get hold a couple of English speaking staff to help us out. They checked Martin’s parachute and introduced us to a Hungarian called Peter. Peter would be jumping with Martin and filming the free-fall. Peter took Martin to the landing zone to brief him about the jump. I was left with a couple of skydive Madrid staff and was able to talk to them about what and why Martin was doing what he was. I then sorted out a place to stay for the night, as our flight to Caracas, Venezuela was not until the next morning, as well as getting a lift arranged to the airport. By this time Martin and Peter were back. Peter was the most laid back guy ever. He constantly had a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He casually told me that if I were coming up in the plane to take photographs then I would need to wear a rig, a parachute to you and me. That was fine, actually no it wasn’t. Why would I need to wear a rig? Peter explained it was just a precaution, but I’d be fine. Wait, why, what!? He carried on, “if the plane breaks down or you run into trouble just pull this cord, which will release the canopy.” So now not only do I have to go up in one of those planes that resembles a tin than something that could fly but I have to wear a rig- just in case! I said to Martin slightly sarcastically, slightly truthful and very afraid that “to die is to gain right?” he chuckled and gave that look that your dad gives you and told me that ‘It will be fine.” So we’re all loaded into this little plane Me, Martin, Peter and a couple of other guys who like to jump out of planes for fun and we take off. I’m strapped into the co-pilot seat and ready with the camera. We climb 12,000 in 2minutes my ears pop a hundred times and my head is pounding. At 14000ft the door slides open and Martin along with the others all jump out. I’m now left in this plane at 14000ft with its door wide open. I look over at the Spanish pilot and think to myself if he thinks that I’m getting up to shut that door he has got another think coming. He looks back at me and gives me the thumbs up. I force a smile and return the gesture. I unknowingly just gave him my approval to vertically nose dive the plane back to the ground. In doing so the door shut but my head exploded. Tears streamed down my face, as my body tried to cope with the dramatic change in altitude and air pressure. My head was clamped in a vice and it hurt. We soon land so I dump my rig and run over to Martin and Peter who are in the landing area with the Project O banner. I take some photos of the two of them with the banner and we head back over to reception. On the way over Martin tells me that he watched us land and that we actually landed before him! The plane I was in hit the ground before he did, how I didn’t throw up I don’t know.Martin got his parachute packed whilst Peter showed us the footage he had captured which was very nice and really professional. All that was left to do was get the witness statements signed for ‘jump2’ and pay. Guinness requires that both witnesses be professionals and two guys that jumped with Martin were with the paratroopers and they were more than happy to help out. They and several others showed an interested in the cause of the trip so we handed out some leaflets and shared with them the state of South Africa’s lost generation. When we came to pay Martin handed over a credit card and the Spanish receptionist waved her finger and said “no.” Crap we didn’t have any cash and had other way of paying, we only had credit cards. It looked like we would have to stick around and clean some toilets. We looked at each other then back at her she again waved her finger and said “no-no pay.” What a relief, skydive Madrid really blessed us and gave us everything for free. So, with jump2 Europe done and we headed to the hotel.We wake up early the next morning and Martin tries to get some room service as he’s desperate for coffee but his Spanish doesn’t do him any favors. He tries about three times but the coffee never shows up. We get picked on time to go the airport and arrive about an hour and half before our departure to Venezuela. Martin wonders over to the American Express stand to try and get some cash for Venezuela the only problem is neither of us knows the currency. In broken English the assistant tells us that the card is not authorized. We panic as that would mean we have no money. We don’t know what to do so we pray, get on the plane and hope it works in Venezuela. On the flight we get some rather funny looking Spanish airplane food, and as we are flying from one Spanish speaking country to another Martin thanks the air stewardess with a beautiful “Merci”- twice. Africa done, Europe done, South America here we come!
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