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Obertauern, Austria

Well, I finally made it skiing! My one and only time this year 😦 I am sad that I missed so much snow at home (even though I would be complaining about it if I was there). After getting my car in Salzburg (Mercedes Benz!!) I headed into Salzburg to wander around (but I will write about that in the Salzburg entry).

Towards the end of the day, I headed out on the Autobahn on my way to Obertauern. I checked into my room, which was very comfortable. Being the first weekend of term break, I was rather tired, and basically went to sleep! It is so nice to look out my window at a mountain covered in snow.

Unfortunately, on the day that I went skiing, it was raining. Reminded me of Terra and my attempt to go to Fernie, where we ended up getting a rain check, as it was too slushy to ski. Another unfortunate thing, is that stores are closed on Sundays, and the rental place that I had pre-booked equipment, was closed. I did find another store, got my equipment, and then, as I was getting ready, a lady came up to me, selling her lift pass for half the normal price. The system is interesting here, it is all automated, with turnstiles that scan your pass (which you keep in your side pocket) and then open if it is ok. Throughout the town, there are 6 different lifts. I stayed on the intermediate and beginner runs (my legs are not quite in the best shape!). Because it was raining, the visibility was not great, and I was having a tough time seeing (too dark with my sun glasses on, and too bright without them).

I am glad that I went skiing, but at the time, I was not having the best day! I really struggled to feel comfortable in the equipment (I guess that’s what happens when you get spoiled by owning your own equipment!) and the snow was inconsistent in it’s slushiness. Lunch was huge! Austrians are really into big portions. I don’t think I even ate half of it!

I did manage about 10 runs (mostly off of the same lift, as it had the best snow) before my legs gave out. I felt bad for quitting at 2 pm or so, I really wanted to ski until closing, but the last run down was so tough! I had to keep stopping, and my legs were screaming at me!

On the way back to Salzburg after skiing, I passed a sign for Therme Agade (kind of like hot pools). I bought the ticket with the Sauna part. It was 3 Euro more expensive, and I wasn’t quite sure why, as I was just thinking it would be like a sauna at home, where pools just have one sauna and a steam room. I was wrong! (If only I had realized a little sooner, I wouldn’t have wasted my time in the warm pool at the front!

I realized the sauna would not be what I expected when I walked through a closed door labelled Sauna, and there was a hallway, not a wooden room… Turns out, it is a whole area, with indoor/outdoor pools, indoor and outdoor saunas at varying temperatures, showers, a bar, hot tubs, cold pools and lots of lounging areas. And naked people! So I guess Austrians like to bath naked. Once I realized this, I found a place to put leave my suit, and enjoyed the water. What I do find interesting, is that I find it much more embarrassing to be naked in front of people I know, rather than complete strangers. Probably because they are not going to remember me! (and they are all naked too, so really, who is to judge?) That is another thing I have learned here in Europe. First of all, in England, there are not a lot of people who swim, but when they do have pools (in Hungary and Austria as well) the change rooms are all family change rooms with cubicles. Some of the girls I have talked to here have never seen another naked woman, because where would you if the change rooms are co-ed? (which anyone at home knows, there are always the staple naked ladies, usually old, who like to walk around the change rooms with nothing on). I’m sure it is the same for guys in the change rooms at home too. You get used to seeing many shapes, and the confidence of the ones who are willing to walk around wearing nothing, even without a perfect body, is helpful.

Anyways, after my bathing experience, I hopped back in my car and headed out again, feeling much more comfortable on the autobahn, now that I understand their road signs! I got back into Salzburg just before 7pm. I am so glad to have a smart phone, and managed to find my way to my hotel, only getting slightly lost… I did get a beautiful view of a field and mountains on my detour! I checked into the Meininger Hotel, and they recommended a delicious pub, Urbankeller, where they brew their own beer. It was fantastic! Again, the Austrians are into massive portions, and I could barely finish half of my schnitzel!

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