Lessons

Lesson #1 Skiing

Craig was finally able to try out his new ski equipment on this day off this week.  I think I was more nervous for him then he was for himself. The conditions weren't great for a first day out...we had been snowed on for 48 hours and the visibility was questionable at times but Craig was a trooper!    It was his first time skiing in about 15 years, so we did about 4 runs on the T-Bar, and then he was ready for the chairlift (after I asked him if he was sure about 100 times).  

 He could have stayed out there all day...I was the one that needed a hot chocolate break.  I havent really had much experience helping people learn how to ski and I probably confused him more then helped him but I couldnt believe how fast he learned and with each run how better he got.  By the end of the day he was going all the way from the top to the bottom, and let me tell you there is no easy terrain out here.  

Lession # 2 Ski Trolley

After 20 plus years of skiing there you would think that I would have seen it all, and that not much would surprise me until I saw the ski bus rollercoaster (not sure what its actually called).  It actually looks like a trolley and can carry over 150 people at a time up the entire mountain.  I was too scared to go on it alone...so Craig and I were able to take my/our first ride together!   

This thing hauls!

Lesson #3 No Lodges

What I also learned that day was there are no ski lodges, or at least at Axamer Lizum.  I usually put my ski boots on in the car and then just walk up to the lift.  But since it was Craig's first time and he needed a ticket I thought we could bring all our stuff up to the resort and put it on in the lodge like I have done back home thousands of times.  Wronggggggggggg.  There wasnt really a lodge more of a restaurant, and when I asked where we keep our shoes people looked at me like I had 10 heads.  So if you ever decide to ski here...the parking lot is your only option for changing into your boots.  

Lesson #5 Eat my dust and #6 check the din

During one of our last runs of the day Craig asked if I wanted to ski normal because I had just been watching him ski in front of me.   I did hesitate for a second, but he was doing so well that I  could rip a few turns then wait for him around the corner.  So I did and I waited and waited and waited.  And then I got that awful lump in your throat and my heart started to beat faster and I knew that something happened.  So I clicked off my skis and started to hike up, and there he was covered in snow trying to put his ski back on.  Thank god he was okay, but note to self let him go ahead and then you catch up, and also a 4 din set isnt going to keep a 200 pound person in their skis for long.  Woops!

Its hard to tell in this picture but that's straight down

Lesson #7 dress appropriately

Freezing at the xmas market

On Monday we went up to Seefeld with another couple for lunch and to walk around.  Like, I mentioned before it had been snowing here so the ground had about a foot of fresh snow, plus the temperatures have been single digits at night.  So what do I wear on my feet Hunter Rainboots, worst thing to wear in the snow ever.  I would have been better off with sneakers.  Even with ski socks on my feet froze in about 30 minutes of walking.

Then comes Friday...a couple of the girls decided to go to a Christmas market before the game.  I knew that this market was on top of a mountain but did I bring a jacket...of course not.  I wish these were the only occurrences but they arent. I am having a really tough time with dressing for the weather.  I mean I brought over $700 worth of luggage...I have plenty of winter clothes here!

Lesson #8 Directions 

I recently just signed up for Pintrest (i know get with the program) and I am obsessed.  Thats were I found this Carrot Ginger Detox Soup.  We had most of the ingredients, so I figured I would try it out.  It was really simple and the only tedious part was peeling and cutting two pounds of carrots...or so I thought. Everything was going well and all boiling together when I realized that it didnt really look like the picture I found on Pintrest.  And then I read the directions "Puree the soup with an immersion blender until very smooth"  We dont even have a microwave... So I was like S#@&, son of a B#$%& ...refusing to just have a broth with carrot chunks I stirred, whipped, and beat that soup with two hands for an hour until it pureed.    Never again will I not read the entire directions before starting to cook.  It did turn out well though...thank god.

Greek yogurt, honey, and thyme...you put a dollop of this into the soup

Top it off this toasted seeds 

I learned a lot this past week!