LI: To write a memoir, (personal experience) about a camp experience, (5-10 min episode), using snapshots, thought shots, and exploding the moment (show not tell).
Abseiling
My heart skips a beat as I take a glance down. My hands feel clammy, and even the views of the lake, the chirps of various of birds, the friendly smell of damp bush, plus the supportive cheers of friends don’t take my mind off what I am about to do. A few minutes ago I was all ready to go, thinking it was going to be great, but when you're actually standing on the edge of the cliff you don’t feel as enthusiastic as before.
“I’m ready” I say, adjusting my hands on the rope. I swallow my fears and slowly lean back, letting inch by inch. Once I’m in a near horizontal position, the instructor tells me to start descending down the cliffside. I slowly move my feet, watching as loose gravel showers down to the bottom. Suddenly, I can’t see the instructor anymore. Then I realize. I’d just gone over a side of a cliff, abseiling! From then on down, my adrenaline starts flowing, and I’m not even a teeny bit scared any more! I climb down like a monkey, swinging around like a lunatic. I even try bouncing off the cliff a few times. Then I pause and look out at the view. It is simply stunning! As far as the eye can see, a beautiful lake shimmers and moves, as ripples dance on its surface. The sky is dark blue, and mini clouds seem to float. Reluctantly, I move my eyes away from the breathtaking sight and concentrate on getting down, so that someone else can have a turn. I slow down a little, because the end is looming up, and I want to enjoy it.
As I abseil down the last little bit of the cliff, and my feet touch the ground, I feel a tinge of forget that it’s all over. Looking up at the cliff, I feel really proud of what I’ve achieved. At the start I was quite nervous, but now I wish I could do it over and over again!
By Casey
