The takeoff was fine but the landing needs some work

Today I went parasailing for the first time. Quite an adventure. Long story short: they harnessed me up, got the sail going behind me, explained the communications system they used (a yellow and red flag) to direct me and that was about it. When they found out I was from America they asked me if I had a gun. I laughed and told them no. It was good-natured inquiry but not what you expect in terms of conversation just before you're about to be hoisted in the air and essentially dragged by a powerboat. If I had been thinking I would have told them I'd rather be there running a parasailing business but hey the grass is always greener.

Anyway, when I was all strapped in one of the three guys on the beach blew a whistle and the boat took off from the water. It was the most lopsided instance of tug of war I've ever experienced. Suddenly I was just being dragged toward the water. They were shouting at me to run (information I could have used before they started dragging me) but before I knew it I was airborne. I'm not sure of my speed but it must have been considerable. I decided that I liked it instantly. I wasn't afraid but I do recall thinking (and actually saying to myself), "God, if this harness breaks I'm fucking dead." Then it was forgotten and I went back to whatever it was I was doing before, probably enjoying the view.

It went by entirely too fast because suddenly I could see the one guy on the beach waving the yellow flag in a downward position. This meant I should be pulling the cable in my left hand down but I guess I pulled down too much because suddenly I could see the panic on his face and he was frantically waving the red and yellow flags "like a psychotic horse running toward a burning building." I realized I was coming in for a landing and FAST. I didn't have time to panic because suddenly I was just DOWN. I landed feet first on the beach but broke my fall as best I could by folding and landing on my back. The three guys on the ground had scattered for the impact and I imagine they thought I was either going to die or break both my legs. Instead I was just suddenly on the ground and laughing my ass off. It occurs to me as I write this that someone should have explained to me how to land but I can't stress or worry about that now because by flowing with it I had a blast. Suddenly we were all laughing our asses off and I realize none of us would forget this any time soon, maybe ever.

We talked for awhile later. One of the guys told me he loves America and wants to come there and open a parasailing business. I told him there's money to be made in the shore communities and that he should. We agreed we're hoping for four more years of Obama, too. If I could offer them any advice it would be prep everyone a little better though!

This experience cost me $20. It was worth a ton more though. If I hadn't been so buzzed from the experience  I would have gotten a picture of all of us. Perfection in unattainable. I have some other stuff I'm gonna do this week though and I'll do back to them for it so there will be another chance.