How You Thrill Me

In my life, I've taken a lot of risks. I've moved often. I changed careers several times. I changed jobs — perhaps too often. I dumped all my money, a few times, into uncertain business ventures. In addition, I have always enjoyed getting lost; I love what I discover along the way. And I've had the perfect partner-in-adventure, San Geraldo.

When it comes to physical risks, however, I'm not so daring. I bruise easily. Very easily. (I'm the son of the woman the story of "The Princess and the Pea" was based on.) I did once climb a cliff in Italy (in 1976) to go diving. I tore a muscle in my leg.

Bungee trampolining (click here) looked to me like fun because you're in a harness and attached to sturdy cords that limit the direction you can go. It seemed low-risk. But, since bungee trampolining appears to be on the back burner (until we find one for grown-ups), I've been looking around for other options.

First to present itself was parasailing. I have no fear of heights (although I have an extreme and very specific fear of stepping down onto a ladder from a roof). With parasailing, you're not sent up alone. I always feel safer if someone else knows what they're doing (assuming the person I'd go up with knew what he/she was doing). You take off from the back of a powerboat. That concerns me. I've seen the videos. Also, I'm not so comfortable with coming back down.

THE DOWAGER DUCHESS WOULD DEFINITELY NIX THIS.

Next on the list is something much less "X Games." I can rent a fiberglass pedal boat with a fiberglass slide. You pedal out a bit and then go down the slide. But, like the bungee trampoline, I'm sure the slide has a weight limit. I'd hate to climb the three or four flimsy aluminum steps and have the entire thing collapse leaving me "at sea."

THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN ADULTS ONBOARD. INTERESTINGLY, NO ONE WAS SLIDING.

There's always a power boat. But the thought of noisily hydroplaning across the water at break-neck speed doesn't thrill me.

RELAXING?

Taking the power boat one step further, I could hop on an inflatable boat and get pulled behind that power boat noisily hydroplaning across the water at break-neck speed. But, I don't think so.

HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE.
(CLICK TO INCREASE THE INSANITY.)

And then of course, there's the jet ski. Something to consider, I suppose. If it weren't for the noise. The pollution. The fumes. The anxiety. Honestly, I find absolutely nothing of interest in a jet ski.

NOT MY SPEED.

It looks like what I'm left with is walking on water. San Geraldo has done it so well for so many years. One of his senior managers even introduced him to a friend one day as "my boss who walks on water." I always liked and respected the woman, but that clinched it. Anyway, it appears that walking on water is very commonly done here in Fuengirola. It's a miracle!

AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, THERE'S ALWAYS KNEELING ON WATER.

WELL, IT'S NOT A MIRACLE IF EVERYONE CAN DO IT!
(STILL, CLICK TO EXPERIENCE THE MIRACLE OF ZOOM.)

After considering all the above options, I'm thinking maybe San Geraldo is enough excitement for me. So, I'll take ABBA's (can't get them out of my mind) advice and "stay on the ground."