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News and views from the German-language region of Europe

August 7, 2005

Ups and downs

Filed under Life in Europe

Being a camp counselor can be a challenge. Especially if you take 20 children to an amusement park with challenging rides!

That is exactly what I did this past week in northern Germany. I went to an amusement park with 20 children from Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The age range was from 5 to 12, so some of the park rides were too challenging for the younger ones.

Then there was the "giraffe tower", a Paul Kieffer with young campers ride offering a 130 foot free fall strapped into an open chair. It is a pretty neat ride, too, since there isn’t any waiting time – what nut would want to do something like this? First you get pulled up quickly nearly to the top of the drop zone, and then you inch up the final foot or so as the drop launch point is aligned. We had a terrific view towering twice as high as the pine trees below. Then you wait for about 30 seconds or so while air pressure is built up below to cushion your fall once the drop is completed. Then there is a click and off you go!

I have to admit the first time down the drop made me catch my breath. But then there were ten campers or so who wanted to try the ride but who did not want to do it alone. So someone had to sacrifice and ride up and down with them each time. Someone like yours truly. A couple of hours and about 30 drops later I had done my duty, my thinning hair looking like it had been styled by me sticking my thumb into an electric socket. No more giraffe tower until next year! :-)

Paul Kieffer's blog with personal insights and news from the German-language region in Europe.

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