Do you have a bucket list? A list of things you’d love to do some day? Places you’d love to visit? I don’t really have an actual list per se, but I do have daydreams of places I wouldn’t mind seeing or things I think would be fun to try. So, I guess I have a bucket list. Sort of. It’s my “some day” list.
I don’t really consider myself a real adventurous person, but I do like to try new things. As long as they aren’t too crazy. I’m pretty willing to try most food items. Heck, I even ate a bug in Mexico. On purpose. Knowing it was a bug. Seeing its beady little bug eyes and wings and everything. I was told it was a grasshopper and that it had been “lightly toasted.” Supposedly that’s the way they eat their bugs in Mexico. I’m sure it was just a gimmick to see what stupid tourists were willing to do while intoxicated. It should be noted that, while I had consumed a little bit of tequila, I was by no means intoxicated. I willingly ate that toasted bug—well—just because. When in Rome . . . .
Now that little adventure was certainly NOT on my “bucket” list, but I can check it off right? Eat grasshopper. Check. Next.
I’ve also experimented with unusual foods at restaurants and other places. Nothing too wild, but I’ve tried some things simply because I was on holiday and feeling like I wanted to fully immerse myself in the local culture. While on a swamp tour in Cajun country, I tried turtle soup and headcheese. I will NEVER put either of those things in my mouth again. Headcheese is made from brains and snouts and eyeballs and some kind of gelatin. Gross, gross, GROSS. Give me bugs any day over headcheese. Yes, I knew what it was before I ate it. I did it willingly. It was as bad as I anticipated. Turtle soup can only be likened to what I image wallpaper paste tasting like. No thank you.
As far as fun things to do go, I’ve experienced quite a few exhilarating things. I ziplined in Alaska. I parasailed in the Bahamas. I went cave tubing and spelunking in Belize. I took an airboat in the Florida Everglades. I ride rollercoasters just about any chance I get. I’ve been off-roading in Jeeps and ATV’s, on the beach and in the jungle. I’ve been deep-sea fishing. I’ve seen glaciers up close. I held a live alligator without its mouth being banded shut.
But there are still so many things I’d like to try. Paddle boarding looks like a ton of fun. I’ve never tried surfing, but I’d like to. I want to ride one of those Segways. I want to go on an African safari. (Pretty much just travel in general.) I’ve never ridden in a helicopter but would love to give that a go. I might even try hang gliding. I’d like to ride an elephant. Or a camel. I’ve never been up in a hot air balloon, but I would if the opportunity presented itself. I’d take a spin in one of those monster trucks if I could drive it over something and crush it.
Of course, there are some things I really don’t care to ever try. Like bungee jumping. Or sky diving. Something about free falling I guess kind of freaks me out. Those things hold no appeal to me at all. I am not interested in having a very large snake wrap itself around me either. I’ve touched snakes, but I don’t want them crawling on me. Nope. I would, however, love to ride along in a Nascar race for a lap or two. Wouldn’t that be exhilarating? On the other hand, I’m pretty sure I would not get on top of a world class bucking bull. I lasted about 2 ½ seconds on a mechanical one. I did not demand a rematch.
What adventurous things would you try or have you tried? Are you uninhibited when it comes to new experiences? Are you an adventurous eater? It’s okay if you’re not. Is there something I need to add to my list of things I really need to do before I die? What fun adventurous things have you tried? Let me know in the comments below.
Word of the Day: Xanthopsia
Fun fact about me: I don’t have xanthopsia.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, February 2020. Images by Pexels and Google Images.
Stay connected with news about my books and other fun stuff by signing up for my newsletter: http://bit.ly/JansenSchmidtNewsletter
My newest release On Hallowed Ground is available at fine retailers everywhere: http://bit.ly/2KONmnf
On Common Ground is available at fine retailers everywhere: http://bit.ly/2BBu7bb
I don’t mind new adventures, but when it comes to putting questionable stuff in my mouth? Not so much. Remember that show Fear Factor where there was always a part of the contest that included eating gross things? That’s where I’d be done. But I am going to Ireland for the first time next month, so I’m beyond psyched for that! And I’ll avoid the haggis, thank you very much.
LikeLike
I am so excited that you’re going to Ireland!! That’s on my “bucket list.” I have tentative plans to go later this year, but money may prevent that from happening. Or rather, lack of money.
And, I’m with you on the haggis. No thank you.
Thanks for visiting. Have a fantastic week. I hope it’s drier where you are than where I am. Rain predicted all week. Possible tornadoes. Welcome to springtime in the south.
Patricia
LikeLike
Definitely, and I mean definitely, do the hot air balloon. Our daughter bought us a ride for my Patricia’s 50th birthday. It was in Charlottesville, VA during fall. The view of the Blue Ridge mountains was spectacular. But the best part of it is the quiet. Except for an occasional blast to keep it inflated, it is the most quiet I’ve ever experienced. You don’t hear the wind because you ARE the wind.
As for xanthopsia, I thought I had that once. Turned out I had spilled mustard on my glasses. What a relief!
LikeLike
Interesting about the quiet Al. That’s what surprised both my husband and myself about parasailing. We expected wind noise the whole time, but we literally were just floating up there in total silence. It was a very unique experience.
Sorry about the xanthopsia moment. Here’s hoping that never happens again.
Patricia
LikeLike
No xanthopsia here, thank goodness. But I have driven a NASCAR, and it was so much fun! Richard Petty Driving Experience, highly recommend it. Hot air balloon is also on my list, though who knows when I’ll get to it. Eating creepy things, not so much. About as adventurous as I get was alligator (tastes like rubber chicken LOL). Seeing as I have a pet turtle swimming in her tank a few feet away from me, no turtle soup, ever!
LikeLike
You actually got to drive the Nascar?!? Wow. That would be super cool. I’d settle for just riding along.
No, don’t eat the turtle. Save the turtles!!! They do not make good eating. And, you are right, alligator does taste like rubber chicken.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you and I both get to do the balloon experience. Some day right?
Have a wonderful week.
Patricia
LikeLike
Oh, you wild and crazy woman! I’d say you’re plenty adventurous! My “big adventure” will be when I sell my house and start full-timing in my trailer. Don’t know how that’ll go with my two dogs and my old, sometimes-achy bones, but I figure, why the heck not. Maybe I’ll swing by Mississippi some winter…
LikeLike
I hope you do!! You’re going to love your new adventure. Traveling is so much fun. I’m glad you decided to go for it. So many people wouldn’t.
I hope you’ll be blogging about your adventures. Let me know where I can follow you.
Patricia
LikeLike