Sickness, snow and skiing.

Can you guess the link between the three words above?
No, I wasn’t ill in the snow whilst skiing down a mountain… too literal.

Yesterday I got back from three days in southern Germany staying at my second host family’s winter apartment. From there we could take the fifteen minute drive each day across the border into various Austrian ski resorts. One I remember distinctly was in Unken, simply because I didn’t actually go skiing… Two evenings before I became incredibly sick… here comes the graphic description kiddos. ;]
Lots of vomiting to the point of being physically drained… I ended up in complete pain with a serious stomach ache, head ache and a lack of food in my belly… I couldn’t eat for the next 24 hours. I was bed ridden… and it sucked.

The next day however I felt a bit better, and fit enough at least to go outside and get some fresh air. So I went with my host family to ski area Almenwelt Lofer, and instead of skiing, spent a few hours wandering the mountains and getting lost, then later wandering the cute little Austrian town down below.

I’m happy to say I’m now a lot better. Thank the heavens for pain medicine… it made my agony bearable. I’m also happy to announce that the photos aren’t too bad… although the shotty weather didn’t help my little digital camera much… :p

Wishing all the vomiters a fun trip back to recovery.
Ryan
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Interested in Innsbruck?

Not so much as I am, for sure. I have a little crush on Austria, I’m not going to lie. Ever since wandering by in April, I’ve craved a trip to one of Österreich’s gorgeous cities.

A country of culture, Innsbruck certainly doesn’t let down that reputation. Heading off with my host mum, Sam and that gorgeous French girl from the day before, we stopped numerous times on the way to take in the gorgeous views of the Bavarian Alps. :]

Some of the lovely little stops included Ettal Abbey, Klais and Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal World).

We eventually made it to Innsbruck’s centre just before sunset, and had enough time to head up to Hungerburg with a cable railway, where we visited a tiny little Christmas Market claiming to be at the highest altitude of any in Austria. From that point, we could peer over the vast valley that was Innsbruck.

Here are some of the photos from our adventurous day!

Lots of love from snowy Europe,
Ryan
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In the steps of the crazy Bavarian king…

Today was a good day… like a really amazing day. :]

With my host mum, grandmother, brother and a fellow exchange student from the USA, we all travelled to gorgeous Schloss Linderhof and later the unfinished Schloss Neuschwanstein, both built by Ludwig II, the King of Bavaria. We also popped by Alpsee and Stausee. :]

Then afterwards on the way home… we had a picnic with fresh milk, bread, cheese and grapes! :] Delicious! We sat there enjoying the view of the Bavarian Alps whilst nibbling on our goodies and listening to the sounds of tweeting birds and the clonking of the cow bells… Was lovely!
You’ll want to see these photos…

Ryan
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