It’s amazing what extraordinary circumstances can bring people together. Last week I was in the Austrian Alps in a small ski town called Hinterglemm with about 80 other brilliant individuals from the United Kingdom and the United States who share a similar passion for things like travel, foreign language, education, and austrian culture. As a result, stories ensued and bonds were created. The sole negative aspect of the trip was the fact that it ended. As a new friend Alan may be able to explain, it was “action-packed”.
Day 1: Monday, September 27th
As I’d been isolated from most social interaction for the past week, I was giddy to get on a train and watch out the window to find what landscapes would be holding my attention for the next couple hours and what type of people I might be encountering soon enough.
The first day was full of introductions, names to be forgotten (but then mostly relearned), overly excited Americans-including myself I’m sure, and Brits simply content for their safe and sound arrival. For dinner we had traditional Austrian cold cuts and bread like Semmeln, most endearingly referred to as “Buns” that created many puns for the rest of the week. Thank you Dave-the-Laugh. I’ve learned so many new words and expressions in the English language, compliments to the British. Did you know you it’s possible talk in rhymes? I would always go up the apples to my room. “The apples?” Yes, the apples…apples and pears, I go up the stairs.
The Austrian staff was so welcoming, we knew a great week was ahead of us.
After din conversation was flowing that spilled into the local pub a hop down the road. Unfortunately, my friend Allen (USA-from north Carolina but known for living in Alaska wrestling bears and cutting down trees, and wearing lederhosen in Hinterglemm) spotted a trampoline. So of course if you know me well enough, there is no doubt I could pass up this extremely wise opportunity. Well, I did a back flip and landed on my face. I had a very attractive scrape on my nose for the rest of the week.
Day 2: Tuesday, September 28th
Informative workshops and many useful name games. Most of the Kärnten group still refers to each other by their alliterated names followed by hand movements…here’s a few: simple Steve, sparkling sally, sober Sam, weird Walter, ravenous rob, nice nick neutral nick (he didn’t want to be naughty), action-packed Allen, emasculated Emil, kind Katie, light-hearted Lucy, trembling Tim, etc. I myself was kinesthetic Katherine. For most of the daz we learned useful tips and conversation starters that we could use with the classroom.
The second night was also at the local pub. This was called the Hexenhauesel-there were all of these alpine witch looking things everywhere and it probably would’ve scared me as a child but the bar was nonetheless pretty cool.
Day 3: Wednesday September 29th
Being a more hands on and interactive learner, I really enjoyed the beginning of day 3 because we were able to attend workshops of our choice. Mine included pictures/images as well as music. These workshops aimed at giving us ideas to teach our students things in a creative manor. They were very helpful! For example, you can take a song and require the students to fill in the blanks to improve their vocabulary and then relate the message to a more serious topic. It's a fun and interactive way to start a lesson.
My favorite part of the trip above all was hiking up the mountain…At reaching our destination, a restaurant hut adorned with flowers and antlers, we took in the majestic views and huddled around listening to Austrian songs like “Edelweiss”, a couple of American ones such as “Country Roads”, and a special one for the Brits, “God Save the Queen”. It was just a bundle of charm really. I just regret not bringing any Euros for hot choc. I looked a bit ready for a warm shower as I’d been insisting to stand out in the cold spitting drizzle to look at the mountains, was famished from passing up Wienerschnitzel, and still sporting a my trampoline face. Haha Thank goodness for that peanut butter Kashi bar I brought along, I think I probably would’ve fainted. Regardless, the experience was extremely soul satisfying…to breathe in and fully take in the beauty of God’s creations, I don’t know what can top it. Petting the cows and horses made a nice touch too, I was in heaven. :)
That evening many of just cozy-ed up in our pajamas and duvets and watched a movie….and my tummy was finally happy and full of Frittaten Suppe
Day 4: Thursday, September 30th
The last full day was full of assistant presentations and excitement for the upcoming evening. My partner Sam and planned a Nuclear Energy lesson by showing a picture of the catastrophe caused by the explosion of the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine. The students were required to use their english by describing with adjectives what was going on. Aiming for a higher level student audience, we then required everyone to discuss the pro and cons of nuclear energy.
That evening we all had to prepare a skit or form of entertainment with our group…because not everyone in our group had a particular talent, we went with an Avant-guard piece that included everyone. I thought the Vienese would appreciate it. This pure post modern genius (essentially made up as we went along) involved us filing in stone cold soberly and lining up, proceeded by spinning in our own individual and creative manor. It was then followed by a spontaneous outbreak of laughter and collapse to the ground. Then it was up again and out of the room again in a somber manor. This continued cyclically as we followed our leader Ross. It was whispered by many that we represented the lives of humans as we file in monotonously during the work week with no true emotion and then unwind on the weekends finally showing our true personalities and breaking that wall of self-discipline and seriousness.
All in all the performances were really great. Cameos included Lady Gaga, Simon from American Idol, and the infamous Hans-our Austrian extraordinaire full of yodeling, secret Austrian anthems, lederhosen, a pair of glassy blue eyes, and BFF with Maria von Trapp (I forgot to mention but we called her up and sang to her as well!) The rest of the night we lived our little hearts before we had to say goodbyes the next morning.
Day 5: Friday, October 1st
The morning’s mood matched the gray rainy weather outside as we all were hustling to get our things together and leave. The main thing that kept my spirit up and tired eyes open was whistling on the train with Sam and Rob as we made our way back to Kaernten. We were already missing the days that had passed. When I got home I poured myself a hot bath, put on the kettle for tea, and then went to bed at 5:30 pm.
…die Klarinette die Klarinette...
Cheers daahling
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