Mostar's Old Bridge

I traveled through Mostar last summer alone, doing the typical backpacker trip. At an amazing hostel in Budva, Montenegro (Hippo Hostel) I heard a story about jumping off a 500 year old bridge into an emerald green river.

On the bridge in Mostar, there is a posse of guys that call themselves the Diving Club. Essentially, they hang out all day in speedos flexing their muscles for the tourists. If they collect around 50 euros, they'll jump feet first and 'let' people take pictures. I went to Mostar solely to jump off the bridge but I was still scared anytime I contemplated doing it during the three days i stayed. Finally, on the last day, hours before my train was scheduled to leave, I made up my mind that I couldnt leave without jumping. The 'only' thing holding me back was that I had no one to give my camera/valuables to. Coincidentally, I ran into a group of four Aussies that I had met earlier in the trip. I walked up to the bridge in shorts and a T-shirt, with no shoes and signaled to the Aussies down below to get the camera ready. I climbed over the railing just as I heard a tourist mentioning people jumping off the bridge. The next 10 minutes were a total blur. I remember looking over my shoulder briefly as members of the diving club were running at me and yelling. I stepped off the edge and imitated the style of dive that I had seen from videos in the town museum. As I fell through the air, I fought the instinctual urge to frantically flail. Free fall is such a strange feeling - it seems like its never going end. Right before I hit the water, I pointed my toes and brought my arms to my sides. If you've ever been decently slapped, well you know that stinging feeling - imagine it on your entire body.

As I was climbing out of the water, two of the dive cronies grabbed me by both arms. A third walked up and asked if I spoke English - apparently prospective jumpers are expected to pay as well. There was a brawl as tourists looked on from the bridge above. We finally made it out of the place in one piece. I grabbed my stuff from the hostel and headed out of town on the next train carrying a black eye and photos to prove I jumped!

This is a must see!