Driving, Employee Party, Innsbruck

So much has happened since my last post! I got my USAREUR (US Army/Europe) Driver's License on the 16th and was driving a company vehicle (GOV) on the 17th. Mind you that almost all vehicles in Europe are manual - so I learned real fast and actually did pretty well. I had driven manual once before in a parking lot... My job in the IT department is going really well. It's overwhelming at times because there's so much to do and learn but I'm starting to get the hang of some things and will mostly be working the help desk - helping both customers and employees with all of their computer troubles.

On Sunday, 20th, I went to a SC Riessersee ice hockey game! They won! After every goal the crowd grabbed this big flag that went from one end of the bleachers to the other and passed it up into the crowd so by the time the top of the flag reached the top row of fans the SC Riessersee flag was spread out above our heads! At the end of the game the team came out and took a bow. Then, after they had gone into the locker room one of the fans began to lead cheers and next thing we knew the players came back out again and sat on the ice while we praised them. Then, they got on their hands and knees and formed a choo choo train and slid around on the ice. After this the coach came out and we praised him/sang to him. This went on for about 30 minutes! It was very entertaining.

Kari, Misty, Erin, and I at the game!

The flag being passed up into the crowd after a goal!

The players being praised!

Choo Choo Train Video

Me with a Garmisch Cow!

This past Monday, 21st, we had the annual employee appreciation party. There was great Bavarian food made by the cute chefs that work in the restaurant at the Hausberg (ski lodge). My coworker, Tyler, won Employee of the Year. This means he won a free trip for two to our sister resort in Disneyworld, $1000 spending money, an extended employee contract, and some other bonuses!

Roommate and I! She's amazing!

The IT Department! and the Employee of the Year!

On Friday, 25th, I took a half day at work and went to the Hausberg to learn how to snowboard! My roommate forgot she had an award's banquet for her ski-week class so another instructor and friend, Sabrina, taught myself and Darkel (a Deutch who works in the Garmisch House - restaurant at the top of the mountain) how to snowboard. After an hour I was turning, doing 360s, and having fun! It was a blast and I will definitely be taking some more free lessons!

Yesterday, Saturday 26th, I decided I needed to get out of Garmisch so I took a day trip down to Innsbruck, Austria. It was very relaxing to get away for the day and walk around a new town. I hiked up the town tower to see great views of the town from up above. I ate wienerschnitzel for the first time - I can't say I'm hooked...it was ok but nothing fabulous! I had been talking to one of the locals and it was about lunch time and she told me that the Piano Bar had the best wienerschnitzel in town so I decided to give it a try. There's not much to the town so I just enjoyed the day walking around taking in the beautiful scenery.

Golden Roof

The town from up above