By Karen Cripps
Photo by Author
As hard as I force my mind to try, I just can’t imagine how it is going to feel to float in a basket through the sky. “It feels very calm” I have heard people say. “Really?” I have replied, unable to hide the disbelief in my voice.
The alarm goes off at 4.30 a.m. Butterflies of excitement and apprehension compete for my attention. Despite my fear of heights, I have always wanted to go in a hot-air balloon – I know, it makes no sense. By 5 a group of us pile into a mini-bus, so we will be in the air as the sun rises (the conditions are not suitable later in the day).
As we head toward the take off point we watch the many preparations taking place; it is clear we will not be the only balloon in the air. Balloons lay on their side as they are filled with enough gas to make them buoyant, teams of men prepare the baskets and balloons, and safety checks are done.
Photo by Author
As I look at the ground, the basket begins to slowly lift into the air. There is no shaking, or rocking as I expect, just a gentle feeling of floating (yes, really).
There are 8 of us in our balloon. It is 5.45 a.m. and by the time we ‘take off’ there are already several other balloons in the air.
Cappadocia has a geologically unique landscape – a volcanic eruption many millennia ago has formed white, cream and dusty pink cone-shaped rocks. And as interesting is the human history, for many years Byzantines lived in secret – hiding their Christian ways – in monasteries carved into these rocks and in underground cities.
The balloon lifts higher and higher, and still the sensation is calm; if I look straight ahead it feels like I am not moving.
Sheer determination got me into the basket, but now what? I attempt to assess my fear status. I sneak a look down to see how it feels. Yes, I can look without panicking or feeling sick. I take another, longer look. Yes, I decide, I AM OKAY.
Photo by the Author
I feel brave now so I look in every direction, I even move from one side to another. I take in the small windows in the caves, imagining what it would be like to live there all those years ago; I think about the rock formation and marvel at our fascinating world (but feel like a five-year old bubbling with hows and whys). I watch the other balloons: observing 60 balloons drifting above the rocks is as curious as the landscape itself.
I lean back against the side of the basket and bask in the heat as the pilot pumps more gas into the balloon. Maybe I am not afraid of heights anymore. I wonder what skydiving feels like?
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About the Author
Karen Cripps
Karen Cripps writes at The Reinvention Tour about reinventing herself after coming through the other side of a chronic illness. And when she is not busy turning herself into something new and sparkly, she is off having adventures with her husband.
I am so scared of heights that it was hard to make myself read this piece! Glad I did though as it does sound wonderful.
That’s so funny Valerie. I’m not scared of all heights – planes, mountains, high buildings and so on, no problem but anything that has a free falling motion, like a hot-air balloon for example, well that makes me feel sick!
I did some hypnotherapy before we went – so maybe that made the difference for me?
Just very glad I was okay as we were in the air for about an hour and that would have been a long time to feel scared!
Karen Cripps recently posted..Six-pack, where are you?
Wonderful article. Sounded like you had fun. Saw a race of sorts once of hot air balloons in switzerland, landing at sunset. A palette of colour against a reddening sky…
Aah…thank you Ayesha.
Sunrise and sunset are always mesmerising, but to see that and everything else was a really amazing experience.
Karen Cripps recently posted..Putting myself about
Sounds amazing and beautiful views. Good luck with the sky dive…
It was truly amazing Claire.
Yeah, will probably do the skydive this week
Thank you for coming by lovely…x
Karen Cripps recently posted..Putting myself about
Loved this! Both because Cappadochia is on my “Bucket List” AND because I am waging an ongoing battle with a fear of heights! I am told the only way over a fear is through it and so I find myself often on mountaintops….but havent yet braved balloon “therapy!” Also saw a bit of myself in your brief bio! Thanks for a great” ariel view of a mystical locale and your account of floating through a fear!
@Meg – Just close your eyes and go for it!!!
Hi Meg
Thank you so much for the comment. I have been doing a lot of feeling the fear and doing it anyway recently – sometimes it appears to be the only way.
I did do some hypnotherapy on fear of heights before we went so not sure if that helped.
Good luck with the battle – I’m thinking if I can do it and I’m really not that brave, you can too!
Karen Cripps recently posted..Putting myself about
I made it to the take off site but could not get in the basket. Wish now that I had done it.
Natalie recently posted..Welcome to Cirali
Oh Natalie – I was worried that was going to happen to me. But being a stubborn cow somehow got me in there and then, well, and then it was too late!
Maybe next time…it really was very relaxing. Promise.
Karen Cripps recently posted..Putting myself about
I haven’t been in a hot air balloon, but imagine seeing a landscape like Cappadocia from a big balloon would be one you could work through those height fears.
Suzy recently posted..Redhead Reviews: Going On Location in New York City
It certainly took the edge of it Suzy
And I was not going to miss out that’s for sure – can you imagine staying in the hotel whislt Husband goes off and has this amazing experience – don’t think so!
Thank you for coming by and taking the time to comment.
Karen
Karen Cripps recently posted..Home Alone