I Just Swallowed Dish Soap

"Il mio primo Lancio"

Pisa, Monday, December 3, 1979

an extraordinary day.

in quel giorno ho vissuto il mio Sogno, il primo di tanti!

Finalmente dopo due mesi di duro addestramento e sacrifici è arrivato il grande giorno. Questa mattinata è stata così irreale e indefinibile, non potrei descrivere le mie emozioni. La sveglia avvenuta un'ora prima del solito, poi alle 7.30 saliamo sui camion che ci portano all'aeroporto di Pisa. Appena arrivati i direttori di lancio ci dispongono su due file in base all'ordine di uscita, ritiriamo i paracadute, ci imbraghiamo... C'è " Zig 3 " ( a ttesa del miglioramento delle condizioni di visibilità ) , but after a wait that seemed endless, finally climb on the plane, a C130 that will lead us in the launch area, at Alton. For me, it is the first time I board an airplane, an emotion more. At 11.30 we leave, go up towards the sky, a perfectly blue sky, remarkably clear. I look oblivion slide under me and I see a landscape that looks like a wonderful layout. I will be the last to leave ... More buddies, everyone has their own thoughts, his feelings for all of us is the first launch. Some openly expresses his fear, someone else tries to hide it, others speak on the other, perhaps allontanare la tensione.

Ecco, i portelloni dell'aereo si aprono, entra un filo di aria fresca, siamo in zona e ci stiamo allineando alla perpendicolare di lancio. La prima sortita viene lanciata, poi la seconda, la terza, un altro giro... tutto si svolge così in fretta, ti concentri solo su quello che devi fare. Non posso descrivere i miei sentimenti in quel magico momento.Guardo l'ora, è mezzogiorno e 14 minuti... Un attimo dopo sono solo in mezzo al cielo, attraversato da una brezza di vento, tutto intorno il silenzio, sorretto solo da un pezzo di tela a forma di ombrello, il mio paracadute.

The sensations are continuing at a frantic pace, a great joy pervades my heart, emotion and wonder no borders. No time to think about things you have taught, but only to enjoy a special moment. you feel immersed in the infinity of the world, you feel fragile but at the same time absorbed by the fullness of happiness .
I look down and see the swarm of parachute, the parachutes of those " jumped" from the plane before me and then I see that the lawn will touch the ground approaches, returns clarity, I make a perfect landing. I do not know how much time has passed since I left the plane, I do not know how long I was floating in the air, I do not care, I just know that it was the best experience of my life.

The joy is too great and can not be described. Makeshift parachute and arrival at the collection point, I drink a soda and I finally relax. Finally someone went in the trees, someone has screwed too much rigging exit the plane, but we all, and no one was hurt.

At three in the afternoon to return to barracks. I find Paul, my neighbor's bunk, he has done it to get to the launch and is now being transferred to infantry, will Codroipo, near Udine, in short, from my own party. This is my home ground, but as a Sicilian that he is the land of exile. However, does not prove to be too disappointed. Phone at home, answered my mother, a lump in my throat keeps me from telling exactly what I went through in this extraordinary day.

To enjoy the most of this day I went on leave on its own, without the usual friends. I walked among the tourist attractions of Pisa watching the people, smiling at the girls who did not know in many I have returned the smile. bright aura around me, I see myself and realize it all with whom he came into contact . I feel different, I feel special, I passed a big test, I am now a better man ... I mean better in spirit, in feeling better. They are vivid sensations that make you think even the meaning of life, the wonders of the world around us ... and its creator.

Tomorrow, the second run, then the third. Overtime will be two more days, and I finally won my patent paratrooper.

( from my diary, I was 19 )