I’ve been enjoying life in the Alps for just over a week now, the first few days for fun and German lessons, and on Monday I started my architecture course.
I’ve been getting out biking quite a bit, but unfortunately haven’t had chance to go with anyone from here yet so I’ve been mostly been enjoying getting stuck into interval sessions and big alpine climbs on the road (climbed 7500m since arriving!). Its a bit surreal riding a bike up these alpine roads with a meter of snow either side of you and passing people on skis, sledges, snow shoes etc. Really hard to get the clothing right too – roasting going up if its sunny but icey cold coming back down – especially as I’m usually breaking all the speed limits to get home!
I’ve had a few attempts at trail finding but not managed to find anything hugely exciting yet – mostly either problems with snow or fairly tame non-technical singletrack. Hopefully will do better this week, need the practice as the first race of the year is approaching fast!
Starting college was a bit of a shock to the system, its pretty hardcore here – I was hoping for an easy life compared to UCD but no such luck. Fitting in training is not going to be easy at all, I can be flexible with time a couple of the days but for example Thursdays I’m in lectures from 8.30am until 9pm with only an hours break! And continual assessment with marks for attendance means skipping school is not an option. It’s been good though so far, interesting and all that.
Juha & Laura
There are been plenty of activities with new Erasmus friends – last Sunday I went skiing in Montafon, Austria which was great. Perfect blue sky and sun, fresh powder and great runs. Living in Leich is a bit crazy, you need a passport and 2 currencies with you all the time just in case you cross into Austria or Switzerland (both 10mins down the road!).
Nights out are a bit suspect, the place isn’t exactly a night time hotspot! Places close very early and busses are not that frequent – the student dorms seem the best bet for a good night!
End of Carnival
We had a trip to Austria for the end of carnival celebrations – a big, incredibley precisely made bonfire, massive firework display and gluvine.
Its very hard to get used to the precise time keeping around here too – 7pm means 7pm and not a minute later! and yes, even for a party! I’m constantly late.
“the student dorms seem the best bet for a good night!”
Ey up! I bet they are…
Yeah, snow’s not much fun to go biking in. Was on my first offroad spin today of the year, found a couple of brilliant dh tracks, with a road back up to the top – laps may start happening – still some snow on the trails though – and the north shore stuff – not yet. You’ll be flying this year with all those big alpine hills though.