Christmas is approaching and I have a busy couple weeks ahead of me. Sitting in my room, writing this blog; I feel like I should be doing something productive like packing maybe? Or doing laundry. Nah, it’ll get done before I take off for Vienna tomorrow.
It’s been an action packed December for this little American girl studying in Salzburg. My third month has almost come to an end and I’ve accomplished so much already. Earlier this month my friends and I took a long weekend trip to Vienna. Beautiful city and I’m excited to return. Last weekend we went on a Ski Excursion sponsored by the International Office. For most of us it was our first ski experience. I didn’t count the one Colorado ski trip I went on with my childhood friend Emily as experience. I was 10 and only remember sliding down the slope face first with my skis at the top of the hill!
We left at 2:00 Friday afternoon and traveled about an hour by bus to Annaberg, Austria, our ski destination. I actually enjoyed skiing by the second day. The first day I compared to a type of torture or some type of manual labor a prison puts you through to make you feel guilty for your crime. My shins were sore from the ski boots, my skin felt like it was on fire, every muscle was sore and our ski instructor, Heidi, repeatedly made us trudge up the side of a slope in our skis just to have us go 30 ft down and do it again.
The second day I conquered my fear and mastered the bunny slope, which seemed like an unattainable task the day before. I felt like I was a natural. Like this was my undiscovered natural athletic ability. I was meant to be a skier. Just when I was thinking about returning home to Kansas, packing my bags and heading to Colorado to take up skiing full time, Heidi suggested we try the intermediate slope.
All of my confidence disappeared after I slid off the lift, stood at the top of that slope and looked down. Maybe I’m not an undiscovered skier trapped in the body of a small 24 year old girl with no balance and no athletic talent. It took all I had left in me after two full days of skiing to get down that hill fall after fall. Getting up is what takes it out of you. At least I can say now I’m a master of standing up in skis on a vertical slope after a fall.
After my frustration melted away with the snow, I felt good about what I had accomplished and may in fact try to ski again. There’s definitely talk of another ski trip amongst the exchange students.
A week after the great Ski Excursion I’m preparing to head to Vienna again to spend Christmas with my family. I’m both a little nervous and excited. The language barrier is still a worry of mine though my German is considerably improving and I’ll be meeting family members I have yet to meet. I’m in the land of my ancestors now. Walking the same streets my grandmother walked upon years before. Standing in front of the same cathedral, the same famous opera house. Though it was a different world then, I still feel her presence and a connection to my family that I never felt before. It’s a good feeling.
The day after Christmas I’m off to England to plant my feet on new soil and attempt to navigate my way from London Stansted Airport to the Mega Bus station, alone. Ahhh!
I want my family to know I miss you so much and am grateful for your support! And also want to wish everyone…
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
January 5, 2009 at 10:53 pm |
Great story, I’m sure you will eventually be a true skier. Happy New Year !