Active Hotel Olympic Vigo di Fassa

2 planes - 1 bus - 3 trains - 1 taxi later and we arrive in Bressanone. About 40 hrs of transit was well worth it... this place is adorable - its like walking around in a postcard. Have been snowboarding the past 3 days which was lots of fun - bussed up the mountain to Plose ski fields area... have added some pictures and will caption the pictures if we can.

... there.

Kolpinghaus, the student residence I was assigned to, is really close to the University, which is nice. It is catholic-run though, and they actually make you sign on to their rules! This imposition is uncomfortable as it makes it impossible to really feel at home in your room. No visitors from outside the hotel, no one else in the room after ten and a curfew at twelve, among other things. Ridiculous.

The room they gave me is modern, with hardwood floors and ...

... Innsbruck. At least this time I was not awoken from sleep and asked where my passport was. Ha ha ha!

The Innsbruck, Austria area has some of the most beautiful scenery around. Lush rolling hills, quaint old villages and some huge crazy modern bridges. I think it would be great to rent a car and travel around this area. Yet another trip to plan! If I win that SuperEnalotto…… I guess I can do pretty much anything I want!

Today was a slow day. We drove out to Auronzo, which is a small lakeside town that we passed on the way to Cortina from Uldine on Sunday. We hiked around the lake and walked around town some, grabbing ice cream and window shopping at the craft and souvenir stores.

Cortina D'Ampezzo, Veneto, Italy brian796

Trey and I did a 30+ mile bike ride from Cortina up to Prato Piazza. The length wasn't difficult, but the 900 meter climb was very strenuous. The ride through the forests, along the river, past a lake, and then up to the top were very scenic. We stopped towards the top to rest and eat our sandwiches. Peanut butter sandwiches never tasted so good after the climb to 2200 meters!

While ...

Today was an easy day. Trey was still suffering from altitude sickness and stayed in the hotel for most of the day.

Cindy, Alycia, and I went up into the Confini del Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo nature preserve north of town and hiked the Number 10 trail to go see the Cascata de Fanes waterfalls. The hike was very nice, including wide paved trails, crushed gravel trails, bridges and lots of elevation changes. It allowed ...

... in place by the military without permission of the local community. Hence it could not be advertised. But the owner of the Lagazuio refuge gave us a rundown of it and it turned out to be marvelous.

But before we went on our first climb we explored the area around the refuge. This is more or less the language barrier between the German and Italian speaking regions and was one of the most densely fought over territories in the Great War. There are remnants ...

... 8217;t mind coming true. If you told me it was possible for me to go 7-14 for 65 yards passing with an interception and no touchdown passes BUT be an MVP of a football game – well lets just say I wouldn’t believe you. But in Italy I’m a football player, not just a quarterback. In addition to my pathetic passing numbers I finished the game 5 tackles, a forced fumble, two pass breakups, 86 yards rushing on 15 carries, and two rushing ...

... the second match Ciba and I were shirtless and making quite a scene running around the table and shouting various ‘family friendly’ remarks as we missed or made our shots. I won five games to his one, but I’m sure we will play again soon.

We went into the center to what I was told is the best gelato place in Bolzano. I was thirsty though so I got a lemon icey drink. We hit the market to grab groceries for dinner. In the market I saw the ...

... we bought an expresso in a bar the barman asked for money in Italian and thanked us in German.... then spoke to the next man in French? At least that's what it sounded like. So.... I'm going to stick with my stupid tourist look and a big smile. I get a lot of milege out of that!
We learned a lot about the politics here, and about the wildlife (somehow that seems to be related).
All good things must come to an end so ...