Hey, in my previous post, ten days ago I was going on about how comfy and cozy and happy my life has been in Athens during the past weeks. But one moment I am there enjoying mummy's food and sunny beaches, and the next moment I am off on the plane to Munich and from there on a train to Innsbruck, Austria and the Alps. I love kicking myself into new challenges, new trips! I loved everyone's astonishment in Greece when I informed them on my plans to go hiking on the alpine mountains..."So you re leaving sun and swimming to go in the Alps? Are you bloody serious? This is the summer, here and now! And you re leaving it?". Oh yes, yes I am serious. And you know what? I have had a great time in the mountains!
Took a flight from Athens and landed in Munich airport in two hours. From there took the S-Bahn to the city centre. Perfect sunny day. And pretty warm. I walked around Rosenheimer Platz to Marienplatz taking as many photos as possible. Proper tourist! I was asking for directions in English and people would reply in German. I wouldnt understand a thing but somehow I perfectly found my way around. I had an ice tea at the Karlsplatz admiring the Rathaus Cathedral. People were sitting outside in cafes enjoying the sunshine at lunch time. A band was playing live German music. I walked on to a spectacular fountain at the Karlstor and then on to Hauptbahnhof, the main train station. I travelled through Germany off to Austrian valleys through the mountains and arrived in Innsbruck in two hours.
The alpine surroundings were astonishing! It was a warm sunny day but rained hard during the night and there was snow on the tip of the mountains around us in the morning. We took a cable car and went up hiking on the snowy mountains, played snowball fighting while the sun was shining, enjoyed the view from the mountain-top down to the valleys. Other people were mountain biking while a guy nearby was preparing his gear for paragliding. In the afternoon we went back to the valley for swimming in a lake right in the woods (i call it my idea of heaven)...! Peaceful. The next day we took the train to Haiming, the Rafting base of the Feel Free Adventure Paradise. White-water (comparing to calm blue-water) rafting has always been an activity I had been avoiding, but secretly wanted to get bullied into doing. And so it happened. Cruising down in a raft down a part of the Inn river. Imposing waves, foaming white water, fast flowing currents! Apart from paddling down we also had the chance to jump out and swim along the raft for some parts. Cold refreshing water made every part of your body twitch! Adrenaline to the maximum, a mixed feeling of fear and pleasure that makes you feel content, alive. Nothing but excitement. And looking forward to doing it again…
It was a great experience and with the company of two good friends, I enjoyed this break more than anything else this year. Took the plane from Munich to fly back to Athens. As we were flying above the Alps, I took so many photos of the valleys, the snowy mountains, the lakes… I always used to admire this view from the plane, but now it feels like a part of me.
I ve been there. I've climbed this mountain. I've been in this lake. I've paddled down this river. I was it. And it was I. A part of me is left behind. And I took a part of it with me.
