Angel's Falls - February 2009

I have a goal of seeing the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Imagine how excited I was to go to Angel's Falls...........only I had no idea what I was getting myself in to.

Colleagues in Caracas helped recommend a tour to Angel's Falls. I thought we'd get there, walk around, admire the view, take some pictures and go (oh and speak English, but it was in Spanish). Little did I know I'd be climbing up a mountain in the Venezuelan rain forest. We took a little wooden boat at 4am (in the dark) through the Caro River - a 3 hour ride (a threeee hour tour...). As soon as we got there I fell as I stepped off the boat-smack dab on my stomach, flat on my face, down, plop. Oh how embarrassing. Everyone ran to help me---we had a group of about 10. Young 30-ish Venezuelan couples and me, a psychologist from Chile and two nice young women who'd been there before and spent the whole time posing for pix in their bakini's.

We began to hike through the jungle, a green green rain forest. I had no idea we were about to walk for 2 hours up a steep steep mountain, I wasn't prepared. It was hot and humid and I actually started sweating through the pores in my face.

I suddenly panicked as we started to climb rocks that were 180 degree angle--straight up-literally. I couldn't do it, couldn't keep my footing, didn't have the right shoes, etc. It was scary as hell and I gingerly chose my steps, it was dangerous. The air was thin, I hyperventilated and become ridiculously paralyzed with fear and overly conscious of each step. I was bit by mosquito's-------malaria, ah help. We finally got to the first peak, what a view, this is what I've been dreaming of, relief! We took a ton of pix and rested for 20 minutes.

I didn't want to go on-if you look at the pictures my face is beat red at this point and the nervousness shows in my face. I couldn't enjoy the walk because I was nervous of going back down. I was afraid of falling again but then realized, I'd fallen and got up and managed to make it this far. NO, forget it, I'm here I have to go. I pretended I was in an episode of Survivor, or the Amazing Race. I took a deep breadth and went step by step, shaking. I wanted to win the Amazing Race-to finish. The place was so remote we felt like we were in an episode of LOST--or the Biggest Loser because the camp gave you so little food. I decided if I made it this would be my personal best. The serenity of the jungle gave me the confidence to go on, if I could conquer this, I could conquer anything. When I came back down the mountain I'd turn a new chapter in my life and be ready for anything that came my way.

I did it. We hiked to the next peak which was the swimming hole at the bottom of the small falls. I would have given anything to swim under that waterfall but I didn't have my bathing suit. Lucky thing---others had to help me carry my stuff, so there's no way I could have carried a towel or suit. I climbed on the big rocks furthest away from the falls so I could face them and watch the wonder of the splash. I did it. You feel so small, when you look up at the magnitude of the water. My friends squealed with laughter and happiness as they drenched themselves under the falls. I just smiled.

Thought I'd be terrified on the way down as I remembered how steep it was, but it wasn't as scary as I thought, I did it slow--was the last person. Pablo stayed with me and held my hand when we crossed slippery rocks.

We feasted on bbq chicken..........I made so many new friends. I don't speak Spanish, only 2 spoke English and I impressed them with my knowledge of Hugo Chavez and the missionary system. There are 7 Natural Wonders of the World and I have 5 to go. However if you really look around, everything is a wonder.