![STOP THE RIDE!](https://cdn.magzter.com/1394809325/1719421757/articles/JLf-NrtYo1719480429765/STOP-THE-RIDE.jpg)
IT’S MARCH IN FLORIDA, and I'm walking around Hogsmeade village in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. It's a Christmas card come to life: a picturesque setting with charming storefronts, cobbled streets and faux snowcapped brick buildings with crooked chimneys. My friends and I want to see Hogwarts, so we head to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, a flying adventure through the castle.
We pass through the gates and eventually it becomes dark and atmospheric, with cold stone walls and stained-glass windows everywhere. Talking portraits speak to us as we move deeper into the castle, and Professor Dumbledore welcomes us to Hogwarts. "You may encounter all manner of things not common to your own world," he warns.
As we approach the end of the line, Harry, Ron and Hermione appear and invite us to watch a Quidditch game. A roller coaster-style car pulls up next to us. It looks like some kind of enchanted bench. Above us, countless candles float in the air as if they're all under a spell.
"Huh," I say to my friend. "I think this is the ride that made me feel sick last time." We walk onto the moving platform and take our seats. I pull the ride restraint over my shoulders, and it clicks into place.
The bench abruptly moves sideways, and we're lifted into the air, feet dangling. We're swept up and to the side at the same time, which throws me off balance.
Instant regret. My heart is beating hard, I'm accumulating spit in my mouth, and after a few seconds I'm already dizzy and nauseous. I'm hyperaware of my body as it shifts and sways at the mercy of a robotic arm that lurches me, tilts me, turns me. I hold on for dear life.
Denne historien er fra July - August 2024-utgaven av Reader's Digest US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July - August 2024-utgaven av Reader's Digest US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Now Hear This](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/cRnkTBV-m1724757647000/NOW-HEAR-THIS.jpg)
Now Hear This
Losing your hearing suddenly, even if there is no pain, is always urgent
![Go for the Gumbo](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/OxS2jhUrh1724757501123/GO-FOR-THE-GUMBO.jpg)
Go for the Gumbo
The soulful stew synonymous with Louisiana is delicious anywhere you eat it
![DO YOU KISS YOUR DOG?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/njUS1Vieg1724757058731/DO-YOU-KISS-YOUR-DOG.jpg)
DO YOU KISS YOUR DOG?
FIND OUT HOW GROSS YOUR QUESTIONABLE HABITS REALLY ARE, ACCORDING TO HEALTH EXPERTS
![BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/-X-5BqTjH1724756669233/BETWEEN-A-ROCK-AND-A-HARD-PLACE.jpg)
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Pinned by a giant boulder, a hiker had two choices: panic or gut it out. He did both.
![Fathers of the Bride](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/fS-PGGMse1724756391942/FATHERS-OF-THE-BRIDE.jpg)
Fathers of the Bride
A young woman finds a unique way to honor the many men who helped her survive her childhood
![MY SMART PET](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/3Mb-tAD271724755090116/MY-SMART-PET.jpg)
MY SMART PET
These clever critters are some smart C-O-O-K-I-E-S
![How Hobbies Help Us](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/ZcKNcwxrb1724754375107/HOW-HOBBIES-HELP-US.jpg)
How Hobbies Help Us
Far from a waste of time, pastimes are good for body, brain and spirit
![What's Ailing Our Doctors?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/Pm6vUCWRw1724753880751/WHATS-AILING-OUR-DOCTORS.jpg)
What's Ailing Our Doctors?
Today’s physicians are burned out and battered by spreadsheets. We patients suffer too.
![1+1 = MORE (or LESS)](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/QVbW8Hsd41724753651619/11-MORE-OR-LESS.jpg)
1+1 = MORE (or LESS)
A math whiz encourages you to play with your numbers
![That Kind of Time](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1812423/5LgFyOEr91724753412079/THAT-KIND-OF-TIME.jpg)
That Kind of Time
A dressing-room encounter made me get real about aging