Written by Kevin Coleman
As we slid down the steep, narrow streets of Funchal on the island of Madeira in a wicker basket, I thought for a moment about my bucket list.
You may recall the idea of the bucket list from the movie of the same time in which the characters made a list of the 10 things they wanted to do before they died and placed them in an imaginary bucket. They took turns pulling out items and then set off to fulfill them. Sadly they did not survive long enough to complete all the items. At the end of the film, there was a sense of incompletion and of loss because of the items that were missed.
Like many others, after watching the film, I drew up my own list of 10 things to do. But then I wondered what serendipitous adventures I would miss because I was focused on my arbitrary bucket list. So I tossed out my list and declared that my bucket would always be empty ready for new adventures to be tossed in and that I would say “Yes” when new opportunities appeared.
A week before arriving in Madeira, I had no idea that sledding down steep city streets in a wicker basket was even a thing to do. It sounded mad. But apparently, it has been going on since the late 1800s. Sue asked if I wanted to try, and of course, I said, “Yes.”That’s how we found ourselves sitting in a basket on oiled wooden skis guided by two local men as we flew down the slopes of the volcano, charging through intersections without looking either way and hurtling around steep corners, apparently on the edge of control. We could smell the burning rubber from the soles of our guides’ shoes as they navigated the narrow path. Two kilometers later, we arrived at our destination, where we enjoyed a cold beer and a chance to recover our equilibrium.
I placed another experience into my bucket, which swallowed it and remained empty ready for more.
This approach is how, at the age of 66, I found myself at the top of Le Petit Piton of St Lucia. Anchored in the bay below, my good friend Bertrand suggested we climb the steeper of the two Pitons. Checking the guidebook, we learned that this was definitely not advised. However, Bertrand had heard of a guide who could take us. He looked at me, and, of course, I said, “Yes.”
Our guide arrived at our boat at 7:00 am to avoid the hottest part of the day. We arrived at the foot of the Piton by dingy, which we pulled up on the beach and secured to a palm. Then we began up the road to the point where the footpath to the top began. At first, the ascent was easy but steep. Then it became steeper and less easy. Stops to catch our breath became more frequent. We clambered over rocks and used tree vines to help us over the more difficult parts. On the final ascent, we were wedged in a cleft in the rocks where we had our back to one side and pushed with our feet against the other while hanging onto ancient, fraying ropes. Finally, standing at the top, we enjoyed a magnificent view over St Lucia and the surrounding ocean. We had climbed over 2400 feet above the beach where we began.
Now, as I turn 70, I look back at a long list of adventures and experiences, most of which were not planned but happened because I was willing to say “Yes.” My only goal has been to live as many experiences as I can in this life, and there is always room for one more on my always empty bucket list.
An author and kite-maker living on the shore of Lake Ontario with his wife, Sue Coleman. Kevin has recently published his first novel “Vow for a Lifetime” and is working on the second and third in the trilogy.
Kevin contributes to the Wild About Wellness Community online where members who are passionate about holistic health and wellness come together to share information, educate and contribute for the purpose of learning and growing.
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