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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Snowshoeing

When Kevin suggested snowshoeing I was like "so you just walk around in the snow in snowshoes and that's it?".  Yep, that's pretty much it.  Hmm...I can do this.  I've been walking for years.  No lessons required.  Plus we had just spent an obscene amount of money on ski pants and jackets, and I was looking for a good non-ski excuse to test them out.  While I was excited that I possessed the necessary skills (and clothing) to partake in this outdoorsy winter activity, I have to admit I was skeptical if snowshoeing was any fun.  My doubts were crushed when last weekend Kevin and I gave snowshoeing a try in Engelberg.  We didn't quite make it to the top of Mt. Titlis, and we defintatley didn't make the Titlis cliff walk (that is my worst fear/nightmare come to life), but can you believe that I actually loved it!  Yes walking around in the snow in snowshoes is fun, a great workout, and a fantastic way to take in the incredible scenery of Switzerland.  We enjoyed ourselves so much that we're seriously considering purchasing our very own set of snowshoes.

Kevin representin' Trinidad in his patriotic ski/snowshoe outfit

Kevin playing in the snow

Mya being cute in the snow

Family photo at our destination



The greatest danger of snowshoeing: devil bunnies and deer emerging from the forest


Mya leading the way home

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Adventures in Skiing



I am afraid of heights, not at all sporty, and am uncoordinated in everything but pointe shoes.  Alas I had to give skiing a go, because honestly how can you live in Switzerland and not at least try?  Two weeks ago Kevin and I took a weekend trip to Flims for our very first ski lesson.  Heights actually never came into play, because we spent our entire four hour private lesson on the kiddie slope right next to a group of some real show offy two year olds.

Where we spent our lesson.   I, unlike this Swiss child, never advanced to the obstacle course.
Kevin, me, and our instructor on one of our many intense rides up the "slope" via the magic carpet.

Pizza boxin' it
Our poor instructor trying to give me yet another explanation for how to turn.  I had the uncanny ability to turn when I meant to go straight, and go straight when I meant to turn.  Quite frustrating, but I couldn't get too down with a view like this .
Kevin taking a tumble while a two year old looks on mockingly.  

I gotta say, I was real impressed with Kev. We were head to head for the first half of the lesson, but he for sure surpassed me once we got to turns. He was able to advance to the obstacle course and everything.  And he only fell twice...I lost count after my 5th.



View from our hotel room


Another shot of the view during our lesson.  




Falls and frustrations aside the ski lesson was a lot more fun than I expected.  However I still remain unsporty and uncoordinated, and the more time that passes from our first lesson the more excuses I come up with for not going to our second...the high probability that my clumsy self will get injured, Mya will feel neglected, etc, etc.  But I'm gonna have to suck it up, or forever have Kevin think I'm lame.  If I can't master turns by the end of our next lesson I think I'll have to admit defeat and give snowshoeing or sledging a try....or I'll just head for the bar.