Peak rush: Paragliding the Swiss Alps - PHOTO

When he tells me this while trying to get me to jump off a Swiss mountain with only a paragliding sail to stop me from plummeting to earth, I should run even faster -- even if he does look like Keanu Reeves.Instead, I ignore my irrational fear of heights and rational fear of men using bad cliches, take a running leap then gasp as the sheer terror subsides and I find myself soaring into the Alpine air.Below me the Swiss countryside unfolds like a map, with stunning views of the peaks of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, and the waters of Brienz and Thun lakes.It turns out the worst part of my first-ever paragliding flight -- made in tandem with an instructor resembling the star of "The Matrix" -- was the apprehension beforehand.It took me a while to build up the courage to even sign up for the flight, after but several hours of watching other people effortlessly winging their way over the glaciers from Beatenberg to Interlaken, I decided to do it.Still nervous, I opted for the tamer version of the rides on offer.Versions aimed at thrill seekers involve extreme aerobatics or high altitude James Bond-style takeoffs at Schilthorn, the 2,970 meter (9,700 feet) peak where "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed.Stuffed penguinThere's even a ride that allows fliers to make a grand entrance at a mountaintop restaurant, but with my aeronautic jitters, I could see this ending in disaster.Once aloft and floating serenely, I apparently can do no wrong, according to my instructor.All I need to do is sit tight, he says, which is just as well considering I feel like a stuffed penguin thanks to the layers of padding I'm wearing.I get a chance to catch my breath and take in the staggeringly huge panoramic vista, which is great as long as I don't look down too often.During the flight, my instructor takes pictures with a wide angle camera attached to an extendable pole, all of which turn out the same thanks to the tortured smile plastered on my face.He explains that the trick to staying for long periods is to find rising air currents known as thermals and circle around in them to gain height.Early mornings, he says, are best as the weather is more predictable.After that little tutorial, he offers to show off some nifty tricks.We're in midair, dangling from a scrap of crescent-shaped nylon fabric. What could possibly go wrong?We do a quick, sharp dip to the left, followed by another to the right.Hit the ground runningBefore my dislodged heart can creep back to its original lodgings, we do a 360-degree turn.The pirouette is fantastic except that even when we stop spinning, my world doesn't.This isn't an experience for the faint of heart or full of stomach, but we survive to glide peacefully over alpine pastures, tiny chocolate box houses, lakes and grazing sheep.To land, we have to stand up in the harness and be prepared to hit the ground running, a fact that gets me panicking all over again."You can do it," deadpans Keanu. The worst that can happen, he says, is I'll graze a knee or break a leg.We manage, though I spoil the effect somewhat by crumpling into a heap and doing an excellent imitation of a beached whale.This isn't enough to dampen my spirits though, especially since I'm now the proud owner of a certificate proving my pluck.The spectacular flight over Switzerland will always be a good reminder that one can overcome fear with willpower.Within reason, of course, I'm not about to jump off anything attached to a flimsy parachute just yet.Not even for anyone who looks like Keanu Reeves.(CNN)Bakudaily.Az