Blogs from Tyrol, Austria, Europe - page 34

Hello there everyone, It’s been a hectic few weeks over the Christmas period, apologies for the lack of communication both via the blog and email, phone calls etc. Hope all enjoyed the festive period. It was business as usual over Christmas here, it didn't feel all that festive. We are still in St. Anton as you can see, however the season isn’t progressing quite like we imagined. It seems we chose to come and work a season in the Alps the same year that global warming has started to kick in. There is a remarkable lack of the white stuff. If I look out of my window right now, I will see grungy brownish mountains. The temperature is warm enough to go outdoors wearing only a jumper. Rain falls instead of snow. Obviously, none of this ... read more

Another new year is upon us so happy 2007 to all! I made some resolutions this year and unlike usual actually wrote them down. I should really have kept them longer than an hour too!! Ooops. For those of you interested, here goes... 1) Not be reliant on others (I was in a philosophical mood) 2) Do not dwell on things and overanalyse (ditto) 3) No more schnapps (this lasted about half an hour if that) And the one i should have made and always attempt to but never seem to manage to keep... 4) Do NOT drink and text or dial. I never learn. Apologies again, if you're reading this the person concerned knows what i mean. But I can always attempt to keep them eh? I have to say this week has been brilliant. ... read more

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, PLEASE Let it snow!!! I’m not sure if people back in the states hear as much about global warming as we have in the past 3-5 weeks but let me elucidate quickly on why we have been hearing as much as we have. Germany, Austria and Switzerland have gone for quite a long period without any moisture at all. No rain, no snow, nothing! This has turned out great for us as we have traveled during a (usually) notoriously rainy nasty period of winter without a drop of rain. The bad part of this is that ski resorts throughout the area have been having real bad times. No cold + no snow equals no skiing. No skiing equals no tourists and little money coming to resorts during one of ... read more

Innsbruck not Innsbrook The Day After Christmas and All is Still Closed After checking out of Fussen yesterday, we took the quick hour and a half trip to Innsbruck in the middle of western Austria. Innsbruck’s main claim to fame in winter is the skiing. Because it is high season for skiing, e. g. between Christmas and New Years, the town has a ton of tourists. We arrived and checked in by 11am and set out about the town. From the hotel we have a short five minute walk to the old town of Innsbruck which is directly on the Inn River. As we arrived in the main part of old town we were surprised to find the Christmas Market still open. We had been told that Christmas Markets in the region close on the ... read more

So last week was my first week on the job and I have to say, it went quite well all things considered. I only had one emergency trip to the hospital which was in fact not a skiing injury but somebody falling through a glass door. It was all good though, no arteries severed and a few check-ups confirmed that it wasn´t serious. No more skiing for the parties concerned but such is life. I also had a second trip (well technically fourth if i include check-ups) to the hospital. One of the teachers unfortunately got off the ski lift too late and hurt her knee. Again, luckily nothing too serious. SO i think i got off lightly for the first week. And.... it was my first week of skiing! I went with the beginners and ... read more