Friday 14 September 2012

Innsbruck, Austria

September 5th, 2012

Innsbruck, Austria


Danka Schon!! If you don't know what it means think of the Wayne Newton song.  It means 'Thank You' in German.  German is one of the main languages of Austria.  Up until this point of the trip we have heard the familiar terms such as merci and gracias, but hearing danka schon felt like somewhere very foreign!

Innsbruck, Austria hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976!  We visited the ski jump designed by Zaha Hadid.  


Olympic Ski Jump


Throughout this trip we have visited 10 different cities that have hosted the summer or winter olympics, and of course began the trip in London at the 2012 Olympics!  Who knows, maybe we will make it a tradition to attend the future olympic games!


Front view of the ski jump


Neither of us had ever been to a ski jump before and we were discussing how fascinating it is that ski jumpers can practice on their track all year round.  Whether there is snow or not!  All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a ski jumper flies down the track!  We were so excited, hoping that he would do it again so that we would be prepared to watch.  Waiting about 20 minutes, they watered the track again...


Here he comes!!


Such good form!  This was definitely an unexpected highlight of Innsbruck!


Another Olympic building in Innsbruck.  We did not go inside but it is most likely the arena for speed skating.


Austrian phone booth...we were going to make a COLLECT CALL home, but figured that no one would want to pick up the cost for us!


Some traditional Austrian architecture

It started to rain as we were touring Innsbruck and decided that we would head out to our hotel.  We were so lucky to find amazing accommodations in this chalet up in the mountains just outside of Innsbruck.  Unfortunately the sky was cloudy or else the views would have been impeccable.  Anyways, after walking 10 minutes in down pouring rain we were soaked from head to toe only to find out that our chalet had spa amenities included!  We were able to spend the night soaking in a hot tub, and enjoying a steam room and dry sauna!


Hotel Batzenhausl

The next morning on our way to the train for ITALY!  We noticed some very unusual services in Austria...can you see what seems weird?


hmmmmm....


Kiss & Ride???  Very interesting part of the Austrian culture!

Well we only stayed one night in Austria, but we will be back!  After we head down to Italy for a while, we will be back up in Salzberg, Austria!

Architectural Highlight

Building:  Das Tirol Panorama
Architect:  Stoll Wagner Architecture



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