The Things We Do For Love – Part 2

On November 21st, 2010 I wrote The Long March Or The Things We Do For Love – the story of Emily's and my three day trek through the Kathmandu Valley and how on the second night – shivering in what can only generously be called "bed", I said, "How could YOU do this to ME?!" And also Emily's choice phrases like, "I forgot trekking was so hard!" and "We are not trekking people!"

But Emily trekked the Annapurna circuit when she lived in Nepal in 2002-2003 and so when we were there in late 2010, she needed to reconnect with herself by doing at least some level of trek. I was never a trekker, but I did want to be a supportive newlywed husband – and so the adventure came to pass.

Before this trip, Emily talked often about how much she wanted to go zip-lining again like she did in Costa Rica. So when she saw in the Lonely Planet Thailand that there is a Tree Top Zip-lining Adventures on Ko Chang, she decided it was a must for this vacation. Again, I have never had an interest in zip-lining. I'm not an outdoor adventurer – but it sounded harmless enough even if it wasn't my thing. So, Emily booked us to go on our last full-day in Ko Chang.

It turns out Tree Top is more than just scooting across a long cable through the jungle. It's a harnessed, obstacle course full of "games" such as walking a high wire or traversing zig-zagged bamboo slats that move as you attempt to walk on them and many more things that I would not have classified as "games".

But as in Nepal, I pressed forward. I literally walked the high wire for my love.

Emily too pressed bravely forward – crossing shaky rope bridges, climbing ladders, zip-lining between trees – even walking over a string-held tree-limb incorporated into a shaky rope bridge. As the challenges become greater, she became more reticent – suggesting that perhaps we should let the pre-teen Ukranian girls and their family behind us go ahead (in fairness, those girls were lithe and nimble enough to have been the Ukranian national girls gymnastics team on vacation). 

All was essentially well until we came to a "game" where one stands on a rope swing which is really a zip-line you "skateboard" across a jungle-covered hillside. There the mother and daughter of a Thai family of tourists came to a halt saying they were too afraid and wanted down. In their process of trying and hesitating, they screwed up the rope and pulley system for the "skateboard" and created a sylvan traffic jam as 20 or more fellow obstacle-course participants fell into a queue behind them. 

Emily was directly behind the offending and scared pair and began to get some flack from the crowd below – particularly from the Ukranian father/gymnastics team coach and a Thai man who could be the poster-dude for REI if they opened a store in Thailand. By the time the Tree Top staff climbed up to the platform where the scared women and Emily were standing and sorted out the mess, Emily had spent sufficient time to develop her fear of a standing zip-line activity. She hesitated and became – in Los Angles traffic terms – the flat-tire on the freeway that's just past the accident. However, assured and helped along by a staff member, she took the physical challenge and made it safely to the other side.

But the next "game" was even more "fun" – holding a balancing stick suspended by a rope and pulley as one walks the high wire – a single cable crossing a very long way between trees with at least a 20 foot drop down. Emily knew she was secured by a harness and carabiners, but that didn't take away the feeling of dread. So, she decided she wanted to get down and sent me ahead.

To my own surprise, I took the challenge and successfully walked the rope. Emily then felt encouraged because as she said (lovingly, I'm sure), "If he can do it…" So she made another pass at it but concluded she just couldn't cross the rope. The staff helped her down and she enjoyed refreshments at the entrance area.

As my reward for succeeding, I found several more challenging "games" ahead including walking the aforementioned rope suspension bridge with independently moving zig-zagged bamboo slats, a couple of more high-wire ropes, and one rope with stupid spinning wooden balls on them that served to make it that much harder to keep my footing. 

Meanwhile, I hear Emily periodically calling, "Eric, are you okay?" and "Eric, how is it?" to which I could only reply, "DO NOT TALK TO ME!" and "I CANNOT TALK, I'M TRYING TO STAY ALIVE!"

As I crossed the last wobbly rope and bamboo bridge from a tree to the entrance-area I felt proud and relieved. Emily was smiling, there was sliced fruit waiting on tables and cups of water. I had persevered and succeeded in a situation where we got in over our heads. Until the man in charge said, "You're half way! After you take a break, you continue that course over there…" pointing to a higher, steeper course. When asked what that part of the course entailed, "All the same, just higher."

And there we bailed. Along with many others included members of the offending Thai family and even parts of the Ukranian gymnastics squad. 

"I did the thing! I'm so happy! This was so great! It was fun! Did you have fun?" Emily happily asked as we walked down the hill and out to the road.

"I'm so happy you're so happy" I replied. Because if I never do it again, that'll be just fine. But 39 year-old Emily got to connect with 29 year-old Emily, and that's what the literal sweat and tears were for.