A Month Later...

A Month Later...

     It's been well over a month since our last update, and as does happen in over thirty days, we've had a lot going on in our lives! This has included THREE weekends of very special visits from family and friends, me (Christi) working many hours throughout this very busy season of tourism, Harry going out to train (ski) for his work, some hiking (while we still can in these rather snowless Alps).

     Our first of these visits (and the first over-night guest to us newly-weds in this apartment), just over one month ago, was from our sister Molly-Claire, who came to stay for 10 days before her own journey began in  Northern Ireland. What a pleasure it was to show Molly our new normal in this city that we love, and to also explore new things together. We went to all of our favourite coffeeshops and sights in Innsbruck, and the hopped across the border and visited Bolzano and Trento. These two beautiful Northern Italian towns are a curious combination of Italian and Austrian language and culture, which remains from the time before World War I, when the Northern Italian province of South Tyrol, belonged to Austria (it was then annexed by Italy after World War I). For us, this meant that we got to eat and drink Italian but were still able to get by in German. Though, when we traveled south from Bolzano to Trento, there was noticeably more Italian and less Austrian. And perhaps this is why I enjoyed the city of Bolzano more. In Bolzano, one was always surrounded by green parks, foothills covered in deep orange, purple and green vineyards, and the white-peaked Alps in the distance. Bolzano also appeared to be a more organized, bustling, small city, where as Trento seemed less organized, and the bustling was confined to small section of the city. Here we also stood out more as tourists, with our backpacks, rain gear, and our lack of ability to communicate. In all, Italy was a unique experience, as it was my first experience travelling to the country as an adult, and we (Molly, Harry and I) got to experience such a different culture such a short distance from Innsbruck. I am so happy that Molly made some time to come stay with us, and our time together is now a very special memory for me!

      Our second visitor was our dear friend Lisa Purdey, who came (almost) spur of the moment! Though planned 3 weeks in advance, this was no time compared to the 2 years we hadn't seen each other, and suddenly we were only a short plane ride away from each other; what a joy it was to see each other! Lisa stayed for the weekend, during which we spent our time walking rather aimlessly through the Christmas markets in Innsbruck with no real purpose but to appreciate each other's presence and catch up on the past 2 years of our lives. Of course, a weekend wasn't nearly enough, but knowing one can pick up a friendship where it left off is an amazing thing. Oh yes, we also did enjoy the beautiful sunny weather and the food of the Christmas Market.

     Our third special guests were our aunt, uncle and cousin, who drove out West to visit us for a couple of days. The great, and very special, thing about living in Austria now, is being able to visit with Austrian relatives every once in a while, instead of once every few years. This family, specifically, was also able to be at our wedding in August, which has given both Harry and I the opportunity to connect and build special memories with each other. With December 8th being a holiday here in Austrian and Italy (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception), and the day after being my aunt's birthday, it was the perfect time to get together; despite the extra busy downtown filled with many, many Italian tourists who also came to explore Innsbruck's 'picturesque Christmas Market in the mountains'. We did as the Italian tourists do, and explored the downtown, delighted in cake and coffee at the local coffee shops, bought Christmas gifts for friends and family, and then, in the evening, shared a meal of homemade gnocchi (thanks Harry!), and a good wine and cheese to celebrate my aunt's birthday. 

     This last visit brings us to this past week, which after three weekends of visitors, Harry and I spent enjoying the solitude of nature and our quiet apartment. Our hike this past week took us up to over 2000 meters, to the bottom of a glacier. With the very, very little snow that we have this year, getting up to 2000 meters is still very doable; but how odd to be hiking up so high in the middle of December! Though a delight for me, it is a huge frustration for ski resorts and skiers, and the tourism built around skiing; which includes Harry who has been unable to start work yet because of the lack of snow.

   

And now we have been living in Innsbruck for nearly 3 months and Christmas, and the New Year, are around the corner. Time has gone by so incredibly quickly and so much has happened. We hope that in these last weeks and months you have all been well. We would love to hear from you and where you are at!

Christi