Banditas Blog: The Big Jump into Acapulco Gold, the Sunset

The day had come for the BIG JUMP. Julie had survived an ardorous drive from Pie de la Cuesta, weaving in and out of all the out of city "Chilango's"!! And, in an infamous exaggerated ordeal, was pulled over by a local cop.

Supposedly, and I emphasize supposedly she had run a red light. How in heavens name the cop spotted this amongst all the other law breakers is beyond me. But, CHUY to the rescue. We remembered his advice, and played the dumb Americanos who cant speak Spanish.......(this usually frustrates the cops so bad they let you go)...we stayed calm, so as not to look scared or intimidated (if they think your scared, they offer to just let you go for about $100.00)/. Well they did mention the 'cash out of the pocket idea to Chuy, who quickly answered that we only had credit cards, and ATM's. Chuy offered for the Cops to follow us to the ATM so we could get the money out (this was a ploy) but, the cop raised his hands in pretended innocence, and reminded Chuy that it is VERY ILLEGAL to take a person to a ATM to get money, to pay a ticket. (Well well...I thought! FINALLY a little bit of corruption coming to an end)/.

Anyway, the cop had seen our license plates from Mexico City (rented the car there) and he just guessed we were Chilangos...... when he got to talking to "local" Chuy, and found out we were his familia, he apologised, waved us on, AND wished us a Merry Christmas...FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!

To our sigh of relief, we parked as soon as possible, and got out.

We window shopped, ran into Chuys friend who is Coquis brother (the sea divers from Chuys neighborhood)and is also a Cop............ Visited HARD ROCK CAFE.......... and I even tried 'Oprahs favorite summer drink. Something that has mint in it......................

After that breather, I believe Julie had most of her courage up, and headed for the Bungee Jump.

It was nearing Sunset as Julie had wanted her jump to be as close to the actual sunset as possible. It was pretty darn near close!

Had a great dinner............. enjoyed the beach a bit, and back to HOME SWEET HOME!

So went our Christmas Day!

Parked, and out of the Car, ready to wander the sidewalks window shopping, and edging closer the Bungee Jump, we spotted another friend of Chuys....it was the brother of Coquis (the diver). He is a Policeman downtown Acapulco~

Julie is 'sucking up to the wrong cop...... it was the traffice ones that could have ruined her day~

JULIEEEEEEEE It wont work!

Julie found her FELIZ NAVIDAD sign!

And, that Don Quioxte (spelling check please! Anyway, this was only wood, and probably doesnt care how I spell his name!

Finally, HARD ROCK CAFE. Julie wanted to see inside....and about as soon as we got in, the clerks, bartenders, managers etc. All thought she was a celebrity. They bothered us so much, we agreed to a photo session with them, and it was a photo session. EVERYONE that worked there kept coming out of the woodwork, and asking for a picture.............. sigh.................... it got old, tiring, and bothersome, and only made me think of how REAL celebrities stand the constant attention and harrassement..?

The STAR for CARLOS SANTANA...one of Chuys favorites.............

And, of course, BOB MARLEY! Jammam Man....

Chuy had to show them how to make a flaming drink...something he learned years ago in CanCun. It was funny to watch the guys tackle it, and not get it right. At one time, Chuy took the lighter and just did it himself....... HAH...we were having fun, or was it that Mint drink that Oprah likes that Julie made me drink that was distorting my perception of fun..............yeah, that must have been it!

Finally, the moment came. Julie was about to board the elevator to go up and get on her perch hundreds of feet over our heads. I think I was more nervouse than she was......... I tried my best to talk her out of it, but she was dead set on it. (I shouldnt say DEAD SET, cause she did survive it after all!)

If you look really close, you can see her approaching the perch. You stand there for the count of #5, then they put a foot on your back to help you make your decision to jump. Julie jumped with her Christmas hat on, and you guessed it, it came off. The crowd laughed and cheered..... quite the scene.

Julie on the landing that grabs you while you dangle from the bungee rope..... she had jumped just as the sun went below that ridge........below I got the perfect photo of her exact moment of jump.... then turned to her, and put the rest on the video.