A touch of the South.

Shopping, refuel, etc. - many tourists as a transit point is Bolzano. Completely wrong: The people are now firmly convinced that their city is more exciting than New York and cooler than Bologna.

 

Cobo, Cobo, all they talk of this Cobo. You have to ask the hotel reception, who see the magic of Bolzano near the best can bring, you have asked yourself in the tourist office and the city leader. "Visit the Cobo halt" was the answer anywhere. The host and is probably the biggest Bolzano-lovers in general. Well, then that is: to Cobo.

In reality, he says Rino Zullo, Cobo is his nickname. And the Cobo is no ordinary landlord. As already make a start, that he has no pub. His guests are on marble tables in the open air, the fish in the benches Dr. Streiter Street, was formerly sold to fish, now operates the Cobo to the benches around an outdoor café. Against sun or rain protection just a few screens. He served bruschetta, this white wine with Aperol. He painted the side, depending on the mood and season, Easter or Christmas men in trompe-l '? Il-Style and characterized Bolzano comics.

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The Cobo was born in Verona, mainly citizens of the world. New York, Haiti, Rome? he knows everything. "However, Bolzano is the most beautiful place in the world," he claimed. Although the city only has 100,000 inhabitants and it is manageable. Or, for that very reason.

Because you are out of town in ten minutes with the mountain peaks at a summit and arrive in a few hours on sea. Since North and South aufeinanderträfen, modernity and tradition, old-Bozner families and students from many countries in Europe. Because language, culture and cuisine to the most productive mixed.

At least now you can be the host of the neighboring fish bank no longer hold back and completed the Cobosche enthusiasm for a few news: Where else in Italy can be as undisturbed as cycling in Bolzano? The bike paths were exemplary: wide, well marked, well maintained. And apart: long ago had spread throughout Europe, for what Bolzano was an exceptional place, he claims. Even Tyler Brûlé, founder of Wallpaper magazine and expert on trends, Bolzano had recently predicted a bright future. All the contrasts here seem to prefer.

A bit thick, they have to, do you think of Mr. Painter-host, his guest and Mr Brulé. Bolzano exciting than New York, cooler than Bologna? So please. Other hand, just the sun and lets the whitewashed houses and pastel-colored porch light, a gentle wind sweeps through the streets, and aggravated by the Aperol add in the wine. Charm, the city has, without doubt. Let's see if you're also wrap around the finger is.

With pleasure buying from Laubengasse

First you see the obvious, the old town. Four or five lanes, extending from west to east, and cover four or five blocks will be crossed. Verlaufen can nobody here to vergucken on the other hand, is fast.

In the Laubengasse about where you marvel at the old houses: meters thick walls, they have, beautifully painted facades and neat bay, all are a little crooked, centuries ago bricked. The ground floor houses the front to the front open, arched ranks to round-arched, 380 meters long. These are the arcades, where Bozner in their stores to do what she has for many generations, especially good at it: act. Already in the Middle Ages, merchants traveled from beyond the Alps and from the south to Bolzano and met at the fair.

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In the arcades they exchanged their goods according to strict rules: The northern side of the Laubengasse related traders from the south, the south from the north. Today equip businessmen their expenses across countries. At the delicatessen dealers Seibstock Austrian core stands beside an Italian olive oil in the window. And next door in the footwear business of the German Turnschuh only a few shelves away from the Italian Pumps.

And you can not deny? who is elegant fashion and home accessories can be warm, for bags, sunglasses, suits, watches, fine wines, heavy cheese, which dismisses the Laubengasse after hours. With some pleasure purchases in their luggage, in the direction of fruit market.

The is located at the western end of the arbor lane. A few dozen market stalls are in an elongated square up. Grapes, figs, artichokes, tomatoes, pepperoni, ham, bacon, parmesan cheese? the dealer Bozner present their delicacies such as artwork: purple figs are a pyramid aufgeschichtet from pale grapes, they have built a cube, the pepperoni bound to an ostrich.

Very appetizing everything, and therefore stands at the edge of the fruit market, a fountain, whose beam is apples or grapes can be washed immediately, incidentally, without concern, because the water in the city is clean. So clean that it Stadtcafé Città "at Piazza Walther the espresso will be served. In glasses, whose edge the words "Bozner water" are engraved.

Back for the second Bolzano

Anyway, the "City". In the Bozner Old Town can be found in every street café, a bar or a restaurant. But in the "Città" must once have sat, at least. Here you will meet them all: the ladies from the society in Bozner champagne after the shopping, business man, between two calls an espresso macchiato tilts, and Germans in transit.

Especially nor the torch high and again runtergebrettert, now they have at a table outdoors taken place, blinking into the sun? flabbergasted of how bright the light, and to the south here is how the coffee tastes Italian, as boldly as the mighty mountain front? Kohlern Incidentally, he says, but that the transients do not know? blue sky after the attacks.

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On Waltherplatz you could actually sit now, you would at the city's small-town life and watch from the road behind the place you heard from time to time a car honking or a Vespa rattle, and for entertainment if you would, would you get from the cafe fetch a newspaper.

Later, at home, you could tell that this really is a pretty town with its baroque buildings and the picturesque fruit market. This is what Bolzano unique, but then you would have missed.

So: back to the fruit market, but this continues, the Ötzi Museum, up to the bridge. Among her gargles bubbling and the Talfer. On the other side of the bridge turn cars and scooters in the roundabout. There, behind the swanky victory monument, the fascists in the style of an ancient triumphal arch built, beginning the second Bolzano. The part of the city by the tourists seldom wander. This can also be given shopping arcades, even if they are sober and not crooked.

Wedeling above the clouds.

Training for the Nanga Parbat or relaxed enjoyment of nature? About the goal of their ski touring in the Radstadt Tauern were Stitzinger Verena and her colleagues do not always agree. But in the end were the spectacular mountains of Austria for everyone.

 

It was cold, very cold. Cunningly slipped the dense fog through all layers of functional clothing, and let us feel chilly. Not even the thick gloves, I actually like always for the departures had been, were enough to warm my fingers. Especially the thumb and little finger hurt almost in the cold. Here we were only in the lower half of the climb. Should we turn around? Previously, cake and coffee in the cozy and warm desk of our inn? No, at this ski tour, I came with such proposals not covered by my companions.

For a few days we were in the Radstadt Tauern route, more precisely in the nature reserve Riedingtal around the municipality of Cedar House. Quick to get to the interesting field trip with about 50 Skigipfeln on the Tauern motorway from Salzburg. Well two hours from Munich, is the goal right after the Tauern tunnel reached.

The snow conditions were good in the winter 2007/2008? as also in the winter, primarily because the regions south of the Alps in December were given plenty of snow. The avalanche situation was unusually stable for the winter? only the weather forecast was bad, very bad.

Anyway, we are still losgefahren. Because as a family, we have little opportunity to do something about it and also we all want as much time as possible in the snow.

Training for the peaks

The motivation for this was however very different: My brother Luis and his girlfriend Alix trained to climb an eight thousands. Incidentally, both their destination in the meantime achieved: on 21 July 2008 was the Alpinists pair Luis Stitzinger and Alix von Melle on Nanga Parbat.

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Time is of the two successful Höhenbergsteigern understandably rather scarce. So what was closer than between Christmas and New Year a little family reunion with me and my friend Mark with a few nice ski combine? The fact that Mark and I am more oriented departure from the corner of the ski sport come bothered both serious climbers do not.

On the contrary? the differences were responsible for some entertainment.

Even when unloading the equipment from the car could barely keep Luis laughter: Finally, weighs one of our freeride planks with more stable binding than its complete pair of skis. Well, there must be those with the broad snow equipment at the ascents already powerful effort in order to come afterwards.

And also requires an alpine family reunion a certain conversion. Due to cold and poor visibility prematurely turn, Luis was not in the absolute sense. He froze even not at all, he said, at least. "But I want but not on the Nanga Parbat," Mark wailed. With the promise of pleasure-ski, he was in a clandestine-Nanga Parbat-training camp with freezing temperatures, stormy winds and steep ridges have been lured.

On bulletin boards on a sea of clouds

Finally, it was the day before, when on a tour Taferlnock already cold and windy enough, even this departure, we had in the dense gray absolve them. Of course, the appeal was not entirely serious. All appreciated the shared experience. And how! We all agree that this is in spite of fog and snow was much nicer than at home at your desk. As if a spell, we were rewarded: At about 2000 meters, we came through the fog and then ran through a sea of clouds.

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Steep and exposed it later went up to the summit of the Great Moser Mandl. The atmosphere up here, the view of the surrounding mountains, the peak from the clouds, far from compensated for the cold finger. And then came the descent still! The turn radii ranged from very small (with Luis) to huge. About the powder in any event, we all rejoiced. The next day was taken by their claims her as diverse crew back on joint tour: The Weisseck stood on the plan? still the second highest mountain of the Low Tauern.

The direct way Luis and Alix was obviously too short. And so attracted to us with more powder runs and we ran across the large round Seeköpfl, the ridge of Felskarspitze and ultimately up to the summit of the steep Weisseck. And with fantastic sunshine and beautiful snow. No discussion, so did all of us here in the valley of Cedar House.

Ski and bone healing.

Lange was the safety of the unbridled fun skiing on the slopes subordinate. Safety training as the Plose in South Tyrol are a rarity. Althaus The accident has shaken awake the public - but in the industry, there is little interest.

 

With full force presses the Skikanten into the runway. The hard snow crunches loudly. The boards vibrate and solve small chunk of the frozen surface. About two meters in front of the instructor, the driver to stop and envelops him in a white cloud of dust. Paul Prader satisfied smiles. "Well done, Tina," he says.

Prader is the head of the ski on the mountain Plose Brixen in South Tyrol. On this afternoon he clasped his ski poles instead of two oversized plastic hands. One green, one in red as soon as a participant of his group is approaching, he stretched one of them abruptly into the air. Red means "Stop!" - Tina has her departure, therefore, with a sharp but technically skilful swing canceled.

Why the whole exercise, although far and wide for no reason Vollbremsung recognizable? "People should stop the momentum internalize when a sudden obstacle arises," says Paul Prader. Many drivers, especially inexperienced, would be an obstacle on the runway tend to focus on the trousers to the ground instead of a stop accomplished lie.

With the result that they finally lose control, and certainly the obstacle schliddern. Anyone who has learned to slow down properly, and the runway is always unexpected expects, safe travels. Actually, a truism. "But unfortunately, does the sense is not always with me," says Prader. The Skisicherheitstraining should help.

Few people know how fast they are

Shortly below the summit is the free-standing Plose relatively flat, treeless and unloading. From the Eisacktal sees the massive acts like a snow cap. The panoramic view is fantastic: Zillertaler Alps, Ötztal Alps, Stubai Alps and the Brenta tower in the distance to the Dolomites seem to grasp. Many Plose on the slopes are wide and comfortable to drive. With nine kilometers, the so-called Trametsch longest downhill as South Tyrol.

The body, in the Prader his students can abruptly stop, has only a moderate slope of about 30 degrees. The skiers reached yet in seconds speeds of 50 km / h. At such a pace it can without a helmet and without a sense of the correct technique in a collision on health have become critical.

For comparison: According to the collision of the Thuringian Minister President Dieter Althaus early January with the mortally wounded while Skifahrerin courses estimates of the Austrian police, the accident that the two parties for around 50 km / h fast were.

The underestimation of the rate is a phenomenon that has among skiers apparently widespread. "Few have any idea how fast they ever are," explains Prader. In a steeper part of the safety course, participants should therefore shot him to ride vorbeiflitzen. Almost all easily reach speeds of over 70 km / h. The fastest speed is 85 on the road. After questioning one's own speed, are all located far off the mark. Usually far less.

Little interest in tourism enterprises

The focus of the criticisms are always high-tech ski models, such as modern carving skis. They enable even beginners without sophisticated technology and experience to rapidly downhill wag. But they are only one reason to ski regularly incredible situations.

Another reason is that the safety of which has been neglected, to the undisturbed snow delights earn: Tourism industry, Slope operators, ski schools. The raised index finger looked like a fault line in the rush to the lifts. Driving safety training as the Plose in any case are still a rarity. Nevertheless, the case Althaus has awakened the general public. Also in South Tyrol was the accident of the German politician an issue.

Nevertheless, with the ride safety training little money. "The people want on the mountain everyday forgotten," says Prader. Although risks were discussed, but then again suppressed. "Many believe that if they wear a helmet, they are automatically on the safe side," says Prader.

To all interested parties to motivate the instructors offers individual courses on request in terms of safety is currently free. Bay a student for a whole week course, the safety circuit automatically in the course plan. This includes conduct exercises on the topics of runway crossings, barriers lying behind a hilltop, road narrowing and explaining the warning signs.

Six years ago launched a former employee of the school Plose training. "At the beginning, interest was very low," said Prader, "the school wanted to even recruit training." And from other ski resorts that you have been compassionate smile.

The lack of experienced skiers to the simplest knowledge of the behavior on the slopes. This is of twelve rules of conduct regulated by the International Ski Federation FIS had. They apply worldwide to all ski slopes? after accidents and also in court. Sample asked many skiers do not know that there are binding rules of conduct exist, Prader. And he brings to even understand: "If me to ask the ten commandments, I do not know all."

Many instructors still without a helmet

Meanwhile, also the Provincial Chamber of instructors in South Tyrol on prevention. It has the concept of Plose over and migrates in the winter with a safety circuit of ski area to ski area. Again, the skiing is not a moralizing event dilapidated.

"We do not want to demonize the sport," says Claudio Zorzi, President of the Provincial Chamber. He would prefer to ski wrongdoing by providing information to prevent than by threats of tougher laws and penalties. After all, the interests of amateur athletes in the safety circuit in the visited ski areas, according to Zorzi brisk. Probably because the participation is free.

Free lesson is also anyone who for a while an ordinary ski slope in mind. Because learning by observing the simplest teaching aids, leads Prader the participants at the end of the training in the target area to a runway. There he observed the scene with them. Within minutes, the Sammelsurium to completely rule violations:

A walking tour, at the edge of the ski-mountain climbs. A mother who is tired with her child behind a hill in the snow continues. A snowboarder who repeatedly cross the runway limitations to the side of the embankment again hineinzubrettern. A Rodler, with the sled under the arm the slope from left to right durchstiefelt. An easily toppled skiers, the slope does not immediately released, but the middle of the route to the mobile phone and picks? and then calmly continue. A runway Rambo, several other drivers of the cuts. A young mother, her baby can ride in the backpack. "Irresponsible," says Prader and shakes his head.

At least it is incomprehensible that there are
or instructors are included in their courses do not wear helmets. Although children under 14 years in Italy must wear a helmet and ski instructor as a role model have inne. "Why not wear a helmet ski instructor?" Says Prader an insider joke, "because they have square skull." Previously granted his trainers for a transitional period. But from February to Prader sees no fun anymore? they must also all his employees wear a helmet.

SECURITY TRAINING IN PLOS

Skischule PloseSkigebietAuskunftUnterkunft

A five-week course (total of eleven hours), the trip also includes safety drills, it costs 95 euros. On request, individual courses in security matters agreed upon.
Internet: www.ploseskischule.it

The daily pass for the entire ski area Eisacktal cost for adults 30 to 34 euros, is also
Plose member of the association Superski Dolomiti. There, the daily pass will cost 35 to 44 euros for adults.

Tourism Association in Bressanone Isarco
Phone: 0039/0472/80 22 32
Internet: www.eisacktal.info
Alto Adige information
Phone: 0039/04 71/99 99 99
Internet: www.suedtirol.info

For entschleunigten Winter Holidays offers holidays on a farm. The South Tyrolean Farmers. provides accommodations that are close to the valley stations, and even directly to cross-country skiing trails are: Strong in the trend are courtyards with their own organic products.

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Moonlight down Einkehrschwung.

In the moonlight flit through snowy landscape: Night sledding can be very romantic. Especially when a gondola ride the laborious mountain Emergence spared - and half way along with a campfire waiting Glühwein pot.

 

Neukirchen / Munich - beer in the evening His circle of friends like Andreas Heckl high above Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Martin hut On. To walk back into the valley, he must not worry. Above the door, the horn sledges, with which the society celebration after the end of the valley Hüttengemütlichkeit flits. Only the head lamps throw the spotlight on the forest road on which the sled through the cold winter night hunting. "It's overwhelming every time, in the moonlight through the snowy landscape to drive," says Heckl.

From the romantic nature on their own, the long night sledding for professionally organized tourism event develops. Everywhere in the Alpine ski resorts have their own lanes for sledding Trendsport created. And some also offer night sledding on illuminated slopes including gondola transportation and Hüttengaudi to.

In Switzerland, for example, can Rodler the Eiger Run "in Grindelwald in the glow of Flutlichts hinabrasen. About four kilometers from the runway after Berghaus Alpiglen Brandegg, said Susanne Lüber by Jungfraubahnen Interlaken, Switzerland. Those who advertised "hairpin curve" has survived, may differ from the cog railway immediately back to the start of the run Chauffeur. The dinner menu is available for adults 25, for people under 16 years of 15 Swiss francs (around 17 or 11 euros).

An hour on the sled hill

While the "Eiger Run" in about 15 minutes hinabschießt can ski in the "Toboggan Arena Wildkogel" in Tyrol an hour. 14 kilometers winds according to the operating company in Neukirchen "probably the longest run of the World" down the hill. Visitors need not travel all the way to start hochstapfen. In the gondola swing them comfortably to the mountain restaurant, the ticket costs EUR 6 for adults and 3 euros for children from Year 1994. From the mountain restaurant, a walk of 15 minutes to Wildkogel house, where the long descent over 1300 meters in altitude after Bramberg begins.

If the exit as a whole is too long, can be halfway hut in the "interim" stop or be under the umbrella of the much-title "Ramba Zamba" the sensory delights of après ski surrender. Too long should the Nachtrodler there, however, not fun. By 22 clock every evening, the lights along the rail off. Then the route was completely dark, and despite the departure of timber gangs in the turns quite dangerous, warns Tanja Dreier of Tourismusbüro "leave arena Wildkogel in Neukirchen.

Can also be risky luge track at the mountain in Garmisch-Partenkirchen be. At several places warning signs before particularly steep, winding and confusing sections, says Andreas Heckl, who lives in nearby Grainau. Especially if, as at the moment is little snow, toboggan runs were frozen and, therefore, very quickly, said Jochen Brune from the German Alpine Club (DAV) in Munich. And so far this winter was so little snow that the mountain-luge track until 14 January, started operations - after two years of closure due to lack of snow.

Glühwein by campfire

Also in Garmisch Rodler of the gondolas to the starting point, the hill station, worn. About groomed trails and slopes, the 3.9 kilometers long route from the mountain back to the bottom. In between, however, lurks a tempting trap: the "house of Bavaria."

There, Wednesdays and Fridays, when the light is on, free mulled wine from the pot over the campfire poured. They play bavarian live bands. Not only this stopover visitors are strongly advised, at the luge a headlamp to wear. So far, the route has not yet been fully illuminated, says Stephanie Vogel of the local tourist office.

The one-time ride on the mountain will cost EUR 9.50 for adults and for children 7 euro, the ticket for unlimited rides 12 or 5 euros. Skiers with season or multi-day tickets will be transported free of charge.

If you do not sledge or Bob owns, incidentally, has the pleasure of a nightly sleigh ride will not necessarily abandon. At all sledging rutschbare sub-sets can be rented.

Island City at the end of the world.

They picked oranges in Israel, kellnerte in London, was Statistin in Hollywood. But at no place in the world, the Swedish best-selling author Liza Marklund rather than in Stockholm - among other things, because they are only here right designer clothes there. A declaration of love.

 

If I have luck, the pilot selects an entry Schneise on the Stockholm city center.

I put his hands like a telescope to my eyes and press the face against the plane window, my heart is beating me at the top of the neck, and I breathe very restrained, so that the disc does not shoes.

Is it not for the E 4, the highway after Södertälje with snakes from toy cars? And now is a white Waxholmfähre clearly be seen in the bathtub of Saltsjö on the way to the archipelago belt. Here is the royal castle, the green land of Djurgården and Järvafältets gigantic Betonvorstädte. From the air since Stockholm is so palpable, so simple and affable, my very own city, my city in the world.

Stockholm is at the end of the world, like a barrier between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, like a heart, before the light and life in the polar night beating. Wherever I'm also had this feeling overwhelms me when I come home: how to price this city. How beautiful, and how lonely and isolated. How much they shaped our people has been the last millennium, three-quarters within their walls live, and how much they in turn has shaped us, how we think, gets what we do and what we produce. Our design, our music, art and literature? between city and human creativity is a constant give and take instead.

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Before the window of the Arlanda Express, the train from the airport to the main Centralen, roars architectural monotony of the suburbs with ugly industrial buildings over. Accidents, we think Sweden and verschränken happy hands on her stomach.

I leave the hustle and bustle of the central station behind me. At first glance may Stockholm to other old cities in Europe remember. The cobblestone streets of medieval Gamla Stan. The fountain in the shady park Kungsträdgården. The gilded statues and the magnificent pillars in front of the Royal Theater. But appearances are deceiving. There is something hard, which does not seem to agree, something Schwermütiges and Ungreifbares to Stockholm from its bigger brothers on the continent is different.

Maybe it's the water. It is darker than anywhere else. I do not know why. It is never blue. It's graphite, light yellow, olive green, but never as clear blue as in normal cities. It is everywhere in Stockholm surrounded by the water. It rustled, bubbles, swirls and undulates in Strömmen, the short connection between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, as a crowd of school children in the big break, and then to calm and leisurely dahinzufließen when dealing with Saltsjö united, almost dignified.

The weather rarely invited to picnic

Or it is up to the climate. Winters are dark, cold and damp. In the short hours the middle of the day when the sun over the horizon drags, protrude the bare branches of deciduous trees such as distorted rods into a ubiquitous bleigrauen sky. The earthy tones of the house facades with blurred background.

The contours of the streets in informal slush lost, and the salt is dissolved and road dirt. The summer days are endless, but the warm are vanishingly small. The Swedish climate invites rarely picnic.

Stockholm has been shaped by our extraordinarily harsh living conditions. Since the middle of the 13th Century, the city here in these islands, it was first mentioned in documents from the two Latin summer 1252nd At that time she was only a wooden fort But since one in the pits at the top of Bergslagen iron and copper gained, Stockholm was a necessity. The people needed the city as a port and export trading. And the politicians needed a high seat. Today, Stockholm more than 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges are.

Every time the city was expanded, the vision is greater than the capabilities of these ideas into reality. The Swedish population, spread over a barren and inhospitable landscape, whose total area is larger than Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands combined, had no great gifts, to build palaces and to build bridges. The solutions were brought from the outside, especially from Germany.

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Over the centuries, the Germans were the people to us before any other has inspired. The Stockholm Castle was designed by Nicodemus Tessin d. J., born in Sweden to parents from Stralsund. He visited the German school in Stockholm, he studied architecture in Europe later below. (I write my novels in my work room in the street Engelska Brinken, "Deutsche hill", and my window to Engelska kyrkan, the German church.) Today's Stone Town, which we see the classic inner city, it was in 19 . and 20 Century, following the example of Berlin was built.

Germany, but not quite. Continental ambitions, but not entirely successful. Sweden was too hard, too small, too cold. Stockholm has become a barren and closed little sister at the end of the road, and the ambivalence of will without the right skills was a very special kind of metropolis.

In Stockholm we see very few truly magnificent houses.

Dreams of Timbuktu.

Mali is the land of the Dogon, the Lehmstädte and spectacular music festivals - and suffering in the north under criminal gangs. The region, which is now in a German was kidnapped, German tour operators offer only isolated to.

 

Who says Mali, dreams of Timbuktu: The very name sparked the Africa-fever, the yearning for adventure on the black continent. Their wedding experienced Lehmstadt while already on the Niger in the 15th and 16 Century, when slaves, salt and gold caravans the then largest metropolis in the region ourselves, and the center of Muslim scholarship here in the desert was.

But their legendary Nimbus seduced the researchers nor Africa in the 19th Century expeditions to life in the west of the continent - and now attracts many tourists. What they are in about 1000 years old town to find, is a carefully restored houses Ensemble, the protected UNESCO World Heritage stands in the hinterland of the bitterly poor Mali showed.

But Mali tourists has more to offer than the famous desert city. Cultural highlights during the year are the magnificent and spectacular music festivals like the world-famous "Festival au Desert in Essakane, about 70 kilometers west of Timbuktu, which takes place annually in January. Thousands of Tuareg in traditional clothes from the surrounding West African countries flocking to the oasis days is drumming, dancing, celebrating. Or, the festival sur le Niger in Ségou in February, which only a few years ago as the counterpart of the successful Festival au Desert was founded.

Less well known is the music of Andéramboukane to the border with Niger. There was a German tour group organizers on Thursday attacked a 75-year-old German, a Swiss couple and a Briton were kidnapped. At the biennial festival celebrating the Tuareg tribes of the border region, its culture - Tourists are rare here.

And the reason is because prior to the visit of the area north of Niger also warned the German Foreign Office (AA) expressly and takes only the cities of Timbuktu and Gao: "The security situation in northern Mali by armed cross-border groups operating at considerable risk "writes the AA has long been in his travel warning.

Mali-Africa attracts connoisseurs

The major German tour operators, the study or hiking trips to Mali in the program, such as Viking or Studiosus, a visit to this Tuareg festivals not offered. "We go to customers in regions facing the Foreign Office warns," says Xenia Kuhn excursions by Hauser in Munich, the trekking tours worldwide.

Most German tour operators are focused on goals, on or near the Niger lie. These include the UNESCO World Heritage city of Djenné, which every Monday one of the largest markets in Africa's largest Lehmgebäude the world, the 100-year-old Grand Mosque, is experiencing. The programs are also Mopti, known as Venice of the Sudan at the confluence of Bani and Niger, Ségou, the Sudanese-French colonial architecture up all time, the capital Bamako, a visit to the Dogon tribes and often also a Pinassenfahrt on the Niger.

Mali, like other West African countries, particularly Africa reizen-Kenner, Xenia Kuhn says, so customers, the continent have already been several times. "Mali is still original. The trips are not luxurious, there are no nice hotels, often in the tent overnight." What the expert Hauser and their customers fascinated Mali, are the special African light, especially the enthusiastic photographers, the colors of the country and the happiness of the people.

The next trip from Hauser will likely take place as planned, said Kuhn. If the warnings of the AA, however, extend the company could still very short notice.

Seal hunting with tripod.

Helgoland has a new attraction: gray seal-watching. In winter, Germany's largest predators get their offspring. After a visit to the furry babies may be the nature in the Jacuzzi overlooking the North Sea to warm up.

 

Heligoland - The gray seal baby is only a few days old and fighting violence against Rolf Blädels attempt, a mark on the tail fin to attach. The small predator in a white fur hisses, screams and makes itself at the end but with the green number of them. Blädel, a retired policeman, cares about the seals and gray seals, which rest on Helgoland Dune.

Now in winter is the small island within sight of the towering Helgoländer Buntsandsteinfelsens the nursery for Germany's largest predators. Gray seal bulls are more than 300 kilograms and present a respekteinflößendes bite. Because the animals but not people experienced as a threat, they are curious resistant to them.

"That will be another record year," says Blädel. Until shortly before Christmas, there were already close to 60 pups, the year before Blädel counted 55 births. Almost daily, the North Frisian weeks in which groups of visitors to the best places for the "gray seal-watching" on the oceanic islands far out in the North Sea. The action sets Tourism Director Klaus Furtmeier great hopes. The winter will be a strong foothold for tourism on Helgoland, because it is with the visitor numbers at the moment even in the summer goes downhill.

"Funny Girl" in rough seas

From far away now travel to nature, with the camera, tripod and heavy telephoto lenses are armed to seal hunting go. Many use a package. "This is really good," says Furtmeier. The six gray seal dates were sold out quickly.

The trip to Helgoland, more than 50 kilometers off the coast, is very simple - but the harsh shipping not for everyone. At 10.30 clock is going on in Cuxhaven. The robust ship "Funny Girl" makes his name already at moderate wind all the honor rolls, stomps, rocks and separates its passengers into two groups: those who like it, the other is bad.

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Germany's marine paradise - a giant puzzle. What you may not be on Helgoland, why did Norderneyer a ring in my ear, and there were nuclear tests on Borkum? ONLINE blogs tests whether you come for the island.

"Do you need?" Asks a young man caring of the crew and to provide paper bags. Today nobody needs, the waves are not high enough to turn stomachs. After two and a half hours, the ride on the North over, and "Funny Girl" is behind a concrete wall in the port Helgoländer vertäut a break until the departure in the afternoon.

The almost 70-year-old Camille Marca traveling from Luxembourg for more than 20 years after Helgoland: "I always come in winter, never in the summer. If you now, it is fantastic." The air is the Marca each year for at least four days attracts. "I have already experienced many storms correct, you almost blows away."

In the hotel "Panorama" at the cliff in Switzerland and with the best view over the sea and the dunes is too leisurely for owner Michaela Schürmann too leisurely. After their idea is to tourism in recent years more and worse, even in the winter. From the efforts of the spa, to attract more visitors, she has heard. "But I can see nothing like this." They believe their house open all year round. "Who wants to come can come." Only the restaurant remains closed in the winter: "It is absolutely not worth it anymore."

Butter ride away from image

A very different way Detlev Rickmers, on the promenade, the hotel "islanders" operates. Particularly, he has used his four-star property, with millions of effort expanded and a spa with sauna and spa was created. Now he is already thinking about the next investment after. "I had to decide," says the hotelier, either only to the summer place, sell or invest properly.

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Rickmers believes in change - away from the dwindling day tourism, away from cheap cigarettes and alcohol, to recreation and nature experiences. "Whoever goes after Helgoland, not just turn from the highway," said Rickmers. "He's very aware and interested in history and stories." The health trend Helgoland opened new prospects for the future, the hotel safe.

High-flying plans will be discussed in the community, whether land between dune and rocky island aufgespült or whether at the end of World War II weggesprengte southern tip with hotel, hospital and shops to be rebuilt. "One of the two must come," said Rickmers. The fact that not all Helgoländer so bravely after take chances, do not bother him. "The old has probably only break down so that new can come."

More guests at the weekend

After a tour of the Highlands with views on the landmark Lummenfelsen and Lange Anna comes durchgefrorenem many winter vacationers, the new park just right. From an ancient sea water bath, the "Mare Frisicum Spa Helgoland". Every guest has a lot of space, in the warm sea water outdoors or in the hall to play themselves on the upper deck in the hot tub overlooking the North Sea or relax in the sauna to sweat.

Tourism Director Furtmeier have when we look at the figures less joy. When the operating costs is a big minus. "At the beginning I made me really worried," says Furtmeier. "Now it can run better, thank God." Mayor Frank Botter now holds the correct path. "We had a lot of these steps more to go. Now we are under pressure." After all, he can first successes: "You notice it on the weekends, there are more guests than last year here."

Climbing over the bar

Bar at 2315 meters above sea level, climbing wall in the foyer and a tenor in the kitchen: The Rudolfshütte is unlike other mountain huts. The former hostel in the Alpine ski resort Weißsee has become a three-star Berghotel moulted - and thus is not only attractive for mountaineers.

 

"For the reception go through the tunnel", the Liftangestellte the way. With skis and suitcases bepackten he helps visitors to the mountain from the gondola station. Then he sent them - through the rock in the corridor, into the heart of the hotel. Since you have already an idea: The Rudolfshütte is somehow different. As chunks of Toblerone-thick layers are covered by the three thousand hostel height, plus it gives with its protective layer of shimmering, bleached by the sun Zirbelschindeln, the charm of an older Trutzburg.

Gradually, the 125-year-old Alpine hut in the past four years to three-star hotel has been rebuilt: 2004, when the well-known to the Austrian Alpine hut as Alpinzentrum not contributed more, over a private hotel chain from Zell am See. Its exceptional location but kept the Rudolfshütte, 2315 meters high in the Hohe Tauern and hard on the edge of the icy Weißsee balancing. During the winter months, the hotel is only accessible on the Mountain, 30 minutes to ride up from Uttendorf sleepy valley, once a change of charge.

The old master audience remained loyal to his hut, and so meet here still identified extremists. Finely wire ice climbers and mountaineers will climb the granite on the many stages of the reception to the fourth floor, the bed stock.

Like Peter Glaser and his son David from Dusseldorf to the ski To come here are: "The first night was pretty cool," says the fröstelnde 18-year-olds at breakfast. His father, tall, with white hair, grins and says simply: "That's why we enjoy here but above the rustic hut real mood!" With about 20 other guests to sleep under the roof. In simple mattresses and only separated by low walls shielded. Like earlier, when the Rudolfshütte an alpine training was.

Idyllic and child-friendly ski resort

Meanwhile, also ordinary tourists to a mountain hotel. The demand is so great that the Rudolfshütte at the beginning of the winter season, often within a few days is fully booked. Currently, the region Weißsee especially himself, because they are considered one of the first in Austria since the beginning of December, gives free helmets. Children, but adults also get the protective accessory to the gondola-Enzinger valley floor.

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Not only in terms of safety, the Weißsee region ahead, but also what the family-friendliness is concerned. The small ski area Weißsee in the World Glacier National Park, with its seven lifts, just over 21 kilometers of ski slopes, about the man but only a very few other leaves - perfect for beginners and children and almost idyllic in comparison to large Skizirkussen.

Even the Rudolfshütte comes with families. Its large rooms are in demand because they are simple double and bunk beds, blue and white checkered quilts are. In the family room dominated by wood and it is a bit dark, but one of the rustic atmosphere and is reminiscent of the Alpine Hostel flair times.

Whoever it may be dignified, lodges in one of the Pinzgauer vertäfelten doubles, with reduced furniture, modern bathrooms and a TV in XL sizes almost luxuriously equipped. But not jealous of his worth, because to see what the distance is concerned, all guests enjoy three-star level. Because the view from the summit on the bed and wander over the white slopes.

In short, the high wall

Class to have means for Rudolfshütte that they stand out from the usual frills style of a good hotel. With a 15-meter-high wall in the pro-open foyer, for example, at the sports hotel guests in adjoining nylon trousers practice. On the Rudolfshütte is "I go once again with the high wall" quite literally. Then, climbing ropes, the artist hooks for hooks to the bar down, to a glass sprayed red in the middle of the hall. The Wooden old bar rises from a landscape of brocade armchairs and deep green leather sofas out.

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As opposed to fathers in family tour equipment, still brightly packaged and snowboarders Sonnenanbeterinnen. And Fritz Stadler nonchalantly stuck next to one of these many samtbezogenen stool, happy after an exhausting but successful summit with guests.

The 63-year-old mountain guide belongs to the inventory of the house: "For over 30 winters do I run my guests through the mountains," he says, and a smile creased his cheeks. Before he even today aufmacht, he encouraged his audience: "Just come up with once, for Sonnblick!" The 3088-meter-high summit is a neighbor of the Rudolfshütte tour and also for beginners in three hours.

Tenor in the kitchen

Who are these troubles will not surrender, rather prefers relaxed a few lengths in the heated Weißsee glacier water of the swimming pool - with views of illuminated Edelweiß reliefs on the wall and on the same lake. And the best just before the dinner, because it is empty and movement makes you hungry. The need also to the quantities of pancakes stuffed with herbs or faschierten bodice Valtellinese to be able to eat, the chef Walter Pauritsch every evening auffährt: That the chef traveled with the hair and a huge amount as a sound body was recently at a tenor the Vienna State Opera sang, you can at his appearance in any case well imagine.

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Berghotel Rudolfshütte, Austria

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In the advertisement was only at that time, "Koch sought to 2300 meters," recalls Pauritsch. "It was an offer I just received at the Metropolitan Opera in New York to sing." It removes the hair back and explains why he is on the Rudolfshütte landed: "This around the engagement in the world? Me was eventually too much." Today he conducts his beschürzten white counterparts. How long until everything at the buffet is perfectly matched.

And at the end fits this detail how all the others to the mix of people and furniture, which in windy amount to a staggering whole together. And a memorable one yet to do so.

In the spell of the Nibelung country.

Walking in the snow is almost existenzialistisches experience: It is quite at home, the sounds are muffled, and even the deer in the wood look like in a trance. Steffen Gerth has degrees minus the magic of the Nibelungen Route discovered.

 

By and by ice-cold mist rises from the valley upwards, the setting sun like a glowing thalers, and the darkness of the evening sets up as a cloth over the forest. At this moment, it is easy to imagine einzubilden to a mythical place to be arrived. "Siegfrieds source" is written on a gray rock, and at the foot of the rock aufgetürmten gargles pietätvoll a quiet stream.

Yes, this could be the dragon slayer Siegfried gebückt have to meet its thirst to breastfeed? during the devious Tronje heranschleicht of Hagen and with a spear zusticht. The bad guy knows where he has to take. It is only at one point the hero is vulnerable: on the shoulder. Where the lime leaf stuck as Siegfried once bathed in the dragon's blood.

At this moment it does not matter that the "Nibelungenlied", by Siegfried, Kriemhild, Brunhilde and Hagen of Tronje told never mentioned where exactly is this source. Certainly, in the Odenwald. But here, above-Lautertal Reichenbach? Or a few miles away at Grasellenbach, where the "Siegfried fountain there? Or maybe somewhere else? The beauty of a legend is that you can interpret the content, how does it fit. Particularly in the Brünnlein Grasellenbach not the most appropriate setting for a heroic death can offer.

We find that there must have been in Lautertal-Reichenbach. Because the feeling of the history of striped jacket to be, we have earned. Since the start of our tour in forcing castle is three hours good way behind us. One way that even in the race with Siegfried Hagen Tronje of time could be gone.

We are like a closed world run on a winter's day, which is a gift. The Odenwald is eingeschneit softly, the sky is blue, and the cold can solidify everything. Walking at minus 10 degrees is almost existenzialistisches experience. It is in, everything runs slower than usual, even the deer in the wood look like in a trance.

Kerniges ups and downs in the country Nibelungen

As in the previous year of the "Nibelungen climb" was completed, he was quickly regarded as one of the most beautiful German designated hiking trails. Why not? Gut 40 kilometers long, this route, in Zwingenberg at the Hessian Bergstraße begins and said Siegfried wells in Grasellenbach ends. In between, there are massive increases to the mountains as Melibokus (517 meters), Knodener head (511 meters) or Krehberg (575 meters). Who runs the country through the Nibelungs, is experiencing a kerniges up and Ab And who in the snow is on the buzz at some point the legs and glue the cap on the head, because in spite of the cold sweat flowing.

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Lovers of low mountain landscape are the true friends, because they are connoisseurs of miniatures and unpretentious. There's this view from the summit of Melibokus that we are already at the beginning of our hike have achieved the west bank of the Rhine flat plate lowlands on the horizon and the shadows of the Palatinate Forest. And in the east of Odenwaldallee curls. At this summit, we had already be 400 meters in altitude in the legs. But then it was really going on? because the land of the Nibelungen begins. The way is with a bright red "N" on a white background. Mühsam we enjoy each step, only the light Paff, Paff, Paff of shoes in the snow interrupts the silence.

Then it was taken Balkhäuser valley, and it went up to Felsberg. The snow glistens, breathing steam. We reached the 100-year-old Ohlyturm and we felt better. Because we were at the summit? and a natural monument near: the sea cliffs.

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Nibelungen climb: 40 kilometers walk through the Odenwald

And already, the next Sage told. Between the two giants will be some neighborly discord once gave. So we began to throw stones at each. One of Felsberg from, the other accused of Hohenstein back. The giant had Felsberger material disadvantages (too little stones), lost and was buried under the stones. This stone is the sea like a tongue in the middle of the rocky slopes of the forest. Today, this stone rests beneath the sea of snow, the massive gray Quardioriten look like in the winter sleep.

A land of legend and myth

Next, always the "N" after. Was the steep descent from Felsberg. Light wind through the trees stressed that it was colder. Whether Siegfried here along gehastet was, it must be doubted, it is the most challenging to? and the forest is expected around 400 AD have been a little tight. And without stairs. Quite possible, however, that he came up Lautertal, tired and thirsty after a long run. In the Nibelungenlied is that the source in a ravine lie? yes, that could be here, to "Siegfrieds source." As a cathedral tower, the rocks and look as they should be the young guard streamlets something.

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At this source is the walker is not the objective of the gate. Die Nibelungen push him much further in the Odenwald into it. Passing the village KNode for example, whose inhabitants supersensible abilities were said. And everywhere to pile rocks, rocks, rocks. Like the monolith Hohenstein? bringing you back to the legend of the giant would be.

The Walburgiskapelle by the wayside is a place of pilgrimage andächtiger of simplicity, and the gently falling final piece down to Grasellenbach Odenwaldallee embraced in the deep forest of the hiker with all his strength. Who is then on the "Siegfried Wells bends in order to take a sip, has good 40 kilometers altitude and 1600 meters behind, passed through a land full of legends and myths? and may be a bit of a hero to feel.

Standing on shopping paddle.

No wind, no waves, no engine - but mobile on the water: The biggest water sports fair in the world, the boot, presented in Dusseldorf own theme for World Canoeing - and the trend standing paddling.

 

Dusseldorf - The launch of the weekend water sports fair "boot 2009" in Düsseldorf, was more cautious than the previous year. But the crowd was focused on the halls for diving and surfing, as well as the new theme for World canoes. "Perhaps the crisis is also an opportunity. The otherwise have flown to Mallorca, paddle now on domestic waters," said Thomas Konietzko, Vice-President of the German Youth Kanuverbandes (DKV). Sitting is not required more in paddling standing celebrating its premiere at the fair.

Who on lakes or rivers is on the future people might meet the far more likely to remember gondoliers of Venice. On a kind of surfboard standing moves of athletes with shock paddle through the water.

  Until now operate only a few hundred Germans, the "Stand Up Paddling (SUP). "SEA is the Nordic Walking in the wind surfing are" hoping Andrew Rosen, employees of one of the three companies, the SEA in Germany. The Hawaii-developed sport with the paddle board, there is no draft in America, Australia and England are already special contests.

The first time more than three-meter boards, which can also Surfing may, at the Düsseldorf exhibition presents. Enthusiastic told Gaute Kristiansen from everyday test. In his Norwegian home runs of the athletes in jeans on the river for shopping. "Only the cell phone should be at the top of the bag take," he warned.

Fast Kanupolos

A little wet, it will also be in the paddling pool of water world, where anyone can try his skill. The first step in the Canadian feels wacklig, but quickly is a sense of the interplay between developed and paddle boat. During the demonstration of Kanupolo similar to handball on the water, chasing the kayaks then rapidly quickly through the hall.

Whether wildwater driving, hiking or boat racing - the possibilities are numerous canoe. "There is a starting point for everyone. We have newcomers in all fields, and our membership figures are constant," said President Olaf DKV Heukrodt. Approximately 114 000 people paddling, according to the association in the association, 1.3 million canoeists are there in Germany. And if the wind is blowing from behind times, there are the necessary accessories. With a sail aufgespannten drift moves the canoe by itself - without any muscle power.

Less interest to kick

The fair has on opening weekend attracted far fewer people than last year. On the first two days, 77,000 people streamed through the 17 halls, said a spokeswoman on Sunday on request. Last year there were 85,000 visitors. "We are not dissatisfied. Among the economic conditions we have from the beginning to decline," said the spokeswoman. Up to 25 January with the organizers expect some 250,000 visitors. Nine days show 1641 exhibitors from 57 countries present their products and services around the water sports.

At the opening of the "boot" on Saturday announced Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee (SPD), a modernization of recreational licenses to. The practical part of the examination should be developed, practical knowledge questions in distant theoretical content be removed. "This is exactly the right way and an important sign. We want the complete Sportbootführerschein detoxify," said Robert Marx, President of the Federation boating industry.

Bundesverband: Way of elitist image

The German boat feared, given the global economic crisis, a sharp sales slump. You feel "significant headwinds," said Marx. "We are in the Neubooten by mid-2008 until mid-2009 is certainly a double-digit decline in total have."

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He did not expect that, following the insolvency of traditional yacht builder Dehler mid-December, more companies are threatened by the Committee, said Marx. "In Germany we have no evidence that it is elsewhere in this much trouble there." The third German yacht from the Dehler shipyard Sauerland Meschede-Freienohl lacked capital to its pre boats. In early December, the Rostocker SMG Shipyard bankruptcy.

For services, charterers and accessory dealers Marx predicted steady sales figures over the previous year. "The experience of previous crises shows that the people in their old vessels to invest or charter."

The boating industry must, however, refer to the new demands of the marketplace. "We must move away from the elitist image. The good growth rates have spoiled it for too long we have done too little," said Marx. By changing the focus should be more buyers can be gained. So it is very important, family-friendly ships to build.

From the roadside in no man's land.

Random Tour hitch: In Ireland, Tim Maxeiner turned to the roadside and let himself go, while the drivers wanted. On trips, he learned to hair a lot about Ireland and its people - and experienced adventure between pigsty and Golf Club.

 

Mathieu - Indian Reggae on the opposite lane

"How are you, my friend?" Says the driver and opens the door. Without a goal for my asking, he suggests with a friendly smile on the passenger seat. Just five minutes I stood at the National Road N 71 outside of Cork, and gave the thumbs up in the air until my first spontaneous rideshare stopped in Ireland.

Mathieu, who comes from India, is just interested in my goal as I have my own travel philosophy for this tent tour through Ireland is very simple: You can have no fixed target. Leave it to chance, where you'll board. Everything else will be revealed.

So we drive toward the West, accompanied by krächzender of Indian folk music. My driver tells me about his career as a nurse, from his family, which soon will come to Ireland and his newly established home. I'm not much for its own contributions word, because our entertainment is every 30 seconds of the call his wife from India adjourned. Most importantly they can not, because Mathieu makes no stations, the radio silent film. The music has now something of Indian reggae.

My driver maintains the unpleasant habit, while the calls to a slight fall Lenkstarre: Our vehicle is approaching then again the opposite carriageway. Since we are already in Germany on this side of the road driving, I was worried initially not in a situation of reasonable dimensions.

But everything is fine. Mathieu marriage is entirely for the wrong side of the street decides Skibbereen, we reach the bottom in the south of Ireland. To be exact, the local Aldi parking lot. Mathieu adopted me with a hearty handshake and the words: "This is paradise, my friend!" His facial expression tells me that he did not discount the food, but says the country, whose people he described as "good people" into the heart closed.

White Noise of loneliness.

Tens of thousands Liftfahrer per hour and scramble on the runway: the mass influx in the ski resort of Ischgl is some Naturfreunde a horrific. Fortunately, there are ski courses in the solitude of the Silvretta - then wait powder slopes and untouched wilderness.

 

Ischgl - It's shortly after six - and long drawn Richards' morning. Are we going up? " does not apply refutation. The four characters in the Dormitory sleeping bags from the torment, wanted it so eventually no different. Just begin day two of the five ski course on the Heidelberger Hut, 2264 meters high in the Silvretta group located. The skylight is the view of shimmering blue mountain peaks.

Two days earlier there were about 20 huts newcomers-morning mist on a wet bottom in Ischgl and waited for the host, the guest with his snowmobile with trailer from the Tyrolean ski resort in picked up. On the trip were first beaten by the complained discs still dimly lift and piste caterpillars guessed that already were in use soon, then these were also signs of civilization always sparse - until finally the Alpine hut was achieved.

Alone, it is in a barren plateau, right and left, the jagged peaks of the Silvretta. 20 pairs of eyes to resist the bright light, the snowy slopes reflect, and place in thought ascent and departure routes into the endless white landscape.

Most Alpine ski touring skiers know only eigenbrötlerische as troublemakers, as if these beetles in the wrong direction at the runway edge crawl uphill and pity glances or a "way out of the harvest. The ski resort Ischgl - according to tourism advertising means primarily "215 kilometers of ski slopes and a transport capacity of 78,500 passengers per hour" - is designed for walking tour is a kind of forecourt to hell. But behind the lures of the Silvretta heavenly solitude. The unique landscape with its peaks and glaciers Scharten calls to conquests, crossings, Durchschreitungen out by day or overnight trip hike from hut to hut.

Meticulous planning, military discipline

At seven clock is like the Force abkommandiert front of the hut. Richard, instructor and retired Army officer, exudes his four pupils fully unwavering in anticipation. On the plan, on the eve of meticulously drawn up, is today a huge tour - at least for beginners relationships. And the day had already become evident that, for advanced beginners only motivated were reported.

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Only the Ãœberkehrung of Lareinferner yoke, then on the 3219-meter-high peak and Schnepf Ritzenjoch on the back - about 1200 meters in altitude in the climb. Behind the hut is the Fimberntal towards Lareinferner yoke. The skins, before climbing on the surface are eager to prevent a return chutes.

In sharp turns, we gain in the steep terrain rapidly meters in altitude. First across the slope and then go to the Bergski nearly 180 degree turn and Talski a Schlenk from the hip to follow suit, which requires the right technique. If the ski tip in the powder hang the cost of power and often the balance - the skiers will find a little deeper on the slopes again.

Top on the yoke, the mood is omitted. The view is great. The next group is still far below. After a short descent begins to rise on the 3219-meter high Schnapfenspitze.

In the zigzag, the group is struggling under an icy blue glacier climbs, where the sun now shows. The track must be in the fresh snow will be recreated. Ahead is particularly kräfteraubend, so goes the top position as the roundabout at the Belgian Cycling.

Photo hasty summit in the icy wind

A few meters below the summit begins Felszone. The skis are a protected ski storage together, and walk it in the direction Gipfelkreuz. The slightly softer ski boots have profile soles, which are also on the rise Klettersteige possible. Icy cold wind whips his face, while the group rushed to the summit photo formed. The following descent leads through the pristine powder.

Who is going to ski, it should surely exit and with different snow conditions can handle. Often lurking under the snow rocks or other obstacles. Avalanche protection is especially important: slope, snow conditions and current avalanche report must be studied. Mandatory is the LVS - the avalanche avalanche Suchgerät, and the practice of dealing with it.

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The final crossing of the Ritzenjochs is a hardness test. Icy winds blowing towards us, fog hampered the orientation. Above, there is no break. Quick skins and pull back to the hut, while it is still bright. Powerful Harsch plates call again fully concentrate on the descent. The last swing ends in front of the hut. In the drying room at the stowage of the material, we can hardly wait for the dinner. Who once again goes before the hut, provides a fantastic sky.

Hut evenings are nice and short: At least after the second "Human-annoyed-you-not" Round and planning the next tour is the first in the eyes. By 22 clock knipst Hüttenwirt of the light.

On the sixth morning is on the skis back down into the valley. Wummert been somewhere or still DJ Ötzis "The Anton from Tyrol, a few ladies in golden Skiing outfits are already on shopping tour. And somehow yearning to come to the world that you just left behind, after the solitude of the mountains, after bedtime at ten, and even after Richards morning call.

Picasso's savage action.

The light! The colors! The motives! The Cote d'Azur, and is loved by artists. Even Picasso, Chagall and Monet immortalized the landscape in her paintings. Other painters can holidaymakers on the "Chemin des Peintresr" along the coast to know.

 

Antibes - understood that they loved this view: the right the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, left the fortified town of Antibes, on the horizon are dimly from the mountains. Claude Monet painted this scene in 1888, Henri Edmond Cross gave them 20 years later. Today, visitors to the Promenade check whether his work properly capture the atmosphere. A display shows the image. It is one of 50 works exhibited at the Chemin des Peintres, the way the painter, the holiday on the Cote d'Azur can follow.

The images track "Côte d'Azur of the painters' withdraws from Menton to Cannes and is also the hinterland of Grasse, Mougins and Saint-Paul-de-Vence is not enough. Most of the pictures - there are 14 - are in Cagnes-sur-Mer is issued, including works by Renoir and Derain. Picasso painted in Antibes, Chagall was the silhouette of Saint-Paul-de-Vence noted. They were all fascinated by the bright light and the clashing colors of the French Riviera.

The pictures are in their development locations. Sometimes you have to look, probably wanted the artists do not always sit in the middle of the events. The panels give visitors not only an idea of where the painters once worked. You can also monitor how changes in landscape and cityscape.

Instead of palm trees

Cannes is a particularly striking example: on the Croisette, where today the rich and beautiful and bustling langbeinige women in short dresses by Edelboutiquen stroll, stroll also the middle of the 19th Century already elegantly dressed women. Adolphe Fioupou painted it admittedly modestly dressed. At that time has not prevented the famous, but screaming ugly Palais de Festival, the annual City Film Festival, the view of the Old Town.

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Côte d'Azur: The blue Diva (14.01.2008)

France: Marseille soup war (06.01.2009)

In Antibes, which is so pretty nestled on the Mediterranean, stood on the Boulevard du Cap Broadleaves once - now decorate the palm trees green strip between the town and beach. The marketplace is still in the old town, with its narrow streets, pétanque players and the many bistros almost perfectly the stereotype of a typical French city fulfilled. The image of Emile Charles Dameron, however, shows an open area with trees. Today there is a covered, wrought-iron market.

Little remained opposed by Eugène Boudin view of the city - the display was destroyed, so that only parts of the image to see. A similar fate Picasso's "Night Fishing in Antibes, on the wall stood.

Works by Picasso in Antibes

Picasso Antibes is' great pride. The 1946 master painted for half a year in the castle of the city. He had plenty of ideas, but the material was scarce, and so he painted on anything that the port offered: wood and canvas, for example. As also is no longer enough, he simply painted over earlier works. The images from this very productive creative time, he gave the city - the almost overnight a Picasso museum got.

Also, the photography museum in Mougins - Picasso's last place of residence, only 13 kilometers away - is dedicated to his work. The exhibition shows photos of his studio, the artist at work and with his children. Mougins is equipped with four pictures on the Chemin des Peintres represented. That art in the medieval town still plays an important role, demonstrates a very different label: The review board at the entrance points to 14 restaurants - and 28 galleries out.

Information: Maison de la France, Zeppelin Allee 37, 60325 Frankfurt (Tel: 0900/157 00 25 to 49 cents per minute from the German fixed network, Internet: http://de.franceguide.com).

Darwin's inspiration on Denkpfad.

Stuffed giant tortoises and creative scribbles: the 200th Birthday of Charles Darwin jostle in England several exhibitions to tourists. Some will be above all to prove - that the famous evolutionary biologist of all time also was only one man.
  London - A trip to England, even in winter with birds and marine noise begin. Or the view of an exotic poison frog or a green iguana, based on a log festklammert. They can also be waiting in front of a square hole or begin with a tour by a schwüles greenhouse. You can start when you are in the footsteps of Charles Darwin moves.
In February, the 200th Birthday of the evolutionary biologists at. Everywhere in his native Britain wait fresh herausgeputzte attractions to visitors. Even if you are using one of the new Darwin books or the original text "On the Origin of Species" comfortably on the sofa could make to the natural scientist to appreciate: A trip to his hometown has a special charm.
Here you can feel what a man Darwin was how he lived and worked and what turmoil it caused in his time. And cheaper than a trip to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific, where Darwin permanent inspiration for his theory of evolution took place, the journey across the English Channel as well.
A first overview of the extent of his work is a special exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London. For Darwin - Big Idea "was material from archives around the world gathered. Here the visitor, artificial wave of noise and bird song berieselt before giant turtles, frogs and stuffed Platt ridicule chokes. The latter collected Darwin on his trip to the Galapagos Islands and mused in view of the small animal pen for the first time about the possibility of evolution after.
Revolutionary scribbles in notebook
There is a pamphlet. On the aufgeschlagenen site is in Krakelschrift "I think", including an evolutionary chart - hard to believe that this alleged scribbles the literal understanding of God and should revolutionize the world. Like an evolutionary theme park is a hodgepodge. Since letters are quoted, mouse embryos with horse compared, note books and original editions, and presents to the present ongoing debate over the theory of evolution presented. Even Darwin's work room is to marvel at - it has been faithfully reconstructed.
TMNGeboren in Shrewsbury, died in London in Down: A trip to England, Charles Darwin's footsteps leads to locations in different parts of the country.
Some 25 kilometers away, in down southeast of London, the visitor finds in Darwin's "real" work the room again. In the small town in the county of Kent is the house where Darwin and his family spent most of his life. Currently it is restored, a day after Darwin's birthday, on 13 February, in a new gloss to open.
As in an oasis of calm, the pastel-colored house surrounded by a huge garden with flowerbeds and greenhouses. "We want the visitors mainly show that Darwin" humanely "and had no irrer thinkers," explains museum guide Richard Smith-Gore and deletes on a billiard table at which Darwin distraction from the research found.
Children tollten once in the huge house around - Darwin had with his wife Emma ten sons and daughters, even if only seven children survived. Guests were always on and off. "The Darwin were a very social, happy family, not a strict Victorian household. There was always something going on," says Smith-Gore.
Research children despite the noise and bustle
A tour shows that there is no poor people lived: Darwin's wife - his cousin, first-degree relatives - came from a rich family Wedgwood. The researcher, she married in 1839, after being among the lonely life for science and a "nice soft wife on a sofa" (a "nice soft wife on the sofa") was weighed. "It was his stop. Even if they are strictly faithful always concerned about the findings of her husband did," says Smith-Gore.
ON TO ONLINEGalápagos blogs Islands: natural paradise at the crossroads (07.06.2007) Guernsey, Jersey, Sark: England outpost before Brittany (24.06.2008) Aran Islands: A fabulous mesh (22.04.2008) How focused on the Darwin Children's noise and bustle? "In order to have peace, for example, he marched to his" Thinking Path "in the garden along." This "Denkpfad" Visitors can also rushing under trees along a walk - "maybe one or the other is a great idea," says Smith-Gore added.
Who on the other hand, inspired by the underworld examined is the best in a small hole in the garden lifted before Darwin observed earthworms. "It is probably rare that you leave looking worms," said Smith-Gore, "but Darwin studied them very happy indeed." He klaubte them on and put them in jars in the house. In their response, he wanted to study music - including a bassoon tones or Waldhorns.

A piece of Tyrol in the middle of the Allgäu.

A tiny enclave tucked in Austrian German Alps: The Tiroler Skidorf Jungholz, although only ten kilometers of ski slopes present, but is reflected in the brave struggle for winter sports enthusiasts - and to tax refugees from Germany.
  "Beautiful mountains, sunny heights? Frühtau to the mountains we zieh'n, fallera? San me the funny Holzhackerbuam? Vagabond mountain we are we? Wherever i go and get, I'm so hurt's heart, holaredlduliri, diridldulio, diridldulio, diridldulio? " The solo entertainers trällert in a medley across the Alps. Finally, he leaves on his zither an operetta melody tone: "Two hearts in three-four time, which in May has brought together two hearts beat in three quarters?".

The guests at the rustic restaurant listening reverently. German and Austrian beer Almdudler drips into the glass. In the steam ski boots and socks on the plates Tyrolean bacon Allgäuer cheese dumplings and noodles. The kitchen in the Schrofenhütte Jungholz twin drives: German and Austrian.
The man drives zither twin: "I am a Allgäuer Tyrolese. Or a Tyrolean Allgäuer. How it's like," he philosophises between the bars. Two hearts beat in his chest. And it seems quite harmoniously, in three-four time. No trace of invective. No trace of the usual German-Austrian Frotzelei.
Zip codes of two countries
Half Allgäuer half Tyrolean? as the sole entertainer ticking a large proportion of young Holzer. The place belongs politically to Austria, to accurately state Tyrol, but geographically located on the edge of the Upper Allgäu. Jungholz is almost completely surrounded by German borders, and only on a German road accessible. It is therefore a so-called functional enclave? a place of up to a mere body of another state is limited. In other words, Jungholz Tyrol is a corner in the Allgäu.
The only territorial connection to the Austrian mother country is the height of 1636 meters high Sorgschrofens. It connects with the Jungholz Tannheimer Valley in Tyrol. Otherwise, there are plenty of points of contact with the German neighbors, not just geographic. The city has about an Austrian and a German postal code. Most goods are based in Germany.
The largest bridge, is the tourist: "Most of our clients are Germans," says Hans Hatt, CEO of the ski lifts. Tyrolean country people would rather look rarely leave. Above all, German families steer young wood. The slopes below the Sorgschrofens with its six lifts are as contemplative, child-friendly ski resort With a large winter playground positioned Jungholz confidently as an ideal family winter destination. In Märcheniglus or mini-lifts, the so-called magic carpets, get the kids to know the snow.
The ten kilometers of the downhill ski area are more tame than spectacular. But they are therefore reasonably certain that the Papis after a long day in the snow Familienvan with two healthy legs can steer home. If even the ski slopes are too steep, can be in Jungholz also moving horizontally. A cross-country ski trail connects with the Jungholz Tannheimer Valley.
700 guest beds on 300 residents
The ski area Jungholz was the first in the Allgäu, which has artificial snow. 1990 the plant in operation. At that time, quite controversial. But the poor snow winter in recent years, the investment paid off long ago. "Artificial snow is an emergency, so that tourism continues to work," says Hans Hatt pragmatic. You could build dozens of wellness temple, but the substance from which the winter dreams, was now even the winter white. The surgery was successful seems to be the 300-soul village has at least 700 guest beds. "The snow is the winter tourism in the city saved," estimates Hatt.
AUSTRIA-QUIZÖsterreich Advertising / FankhauserNiemand laughing about your "Scherzel"? You are irritated when you receive a "purulent" is being offered? Such a thing can happen to you in Austria. But gschmeidig's stay - and click here for our quiz ONLINE.Aber blogs not only because of the many German guests Jungholz is closely associated with the great neighbor verbandelt. "We grow with the German mentality," says Hans Hatt. Not a single young Holzer, who works outside the village, doing so in Austria. The commuter pulls it into the Allgäu, especially after Kempten. The children of the community go in Germany to secondary schools or in teaching.
The neighboring country is for the young Holzer not only work, but also as a marriage market interesting. Jungholz has the highest proportion of non-Austrian EU citizens in Austria. Mostly it is in-Germans. "Two-State thinking is for us something very obvious," says Bernhard Eggel of Ortschef juvenile wood, "it is a fine thing to be mayor here." Mutual animosity know you do not.
Three banks in a village
As honorary mayor and hauptberuflicher Klärwärter watched Eggel that in Jungholz everything clean expires. The German tax authorities, however, it has its doubts. Three banks are there in Jungholz? a noticeably high number for a seven sq km with 300 provincial residents.
Blame is the Austrian bank secrecy and the proximity to Germany. To bring some guest in his suitcase, not only with thick winter clothing, but also thick bundle of money, which he completed in one of the three banks bunkert. Excluding capital gains in Germany have to.
ON TO ONLINEKitzbüheler blogs Alps: Powder alarm at Schatzberg (05.01.2009) Switzerland: The last sows from St. Moritz (16.12.2008) Snow in Wengen: The bicycle through the snow (19.11.2008) Tyrol: ski walkers can Trail practice (19.12.2008) Austria Quiz: Beat Upper? Bernhard Eggel has a clear opinion: "If the German government is so stupid, and with the taxes its citizens even the last Save pulls out of the pockets, I can understand that the people their money well and certainly want to create. "
During the Liechtenstein affair and the debate about German money abroad, it was left to Jungholz relatively quiet? probably because the bank customers, unlike in Liechtenstein, usually to small investors.
Werner and Ingelore put their savings in something Habhaftem to: in a fiery Tyrolean. That is the specialty of Schrofenhütte and consists of a cast iron pot, which has a Tyrolean. This is meat and vegetables cooked. "The earlier we knew not," says Ingelore, "the Tyroleans know how to hearty meals prepared." "But the beer I'd rather trust the Allgäuer," says Werner.
The two early retirees from Schleswig-Holstein is the second time in juvenile wood. "The first time is already over 30 years ago," says Ingelore, "then there were Jungholz neither newspapers nor Austrian Austrian television." And probably no magic carpets and fiery Tirolerhüte. "But there's Allgäuer beer was also" recalls Werner, "I know even as it is today."

Skilift Jungholz:

With hurricane only Bouillon.

Lobster, guinea fowl, caviar, champagne this: Who's with the "Europe" travels feeds edel. Not for nothing is the German cruise ship as one of the most luxurious in the world. Similarly high are the demands of the 45 cooks - especially in hurricane weather.
  The pilot is on board. The first officer, the "Europe" from the port control, there instructions on the radio: Sure eighth in Spring, Vorleine Fier, one o'clock-one o'clock aufkürzen. To German: Cast off. Captain Jan Friedrich Akkermann still has a handy tip: "Be careful, not that you are familiar with the rear drive through the mud." The "Europe" is on course Barcelona.

In the kitchen while you prepare the menus for the four restaurants. It is the last evening before the end of a journey in which love is Rustic ascended. With truffles gespickte Perlhuhnbrüstchen on Rahmpolenta, fried salsify to Barolojus or half lobster sauce with white wine and cognac foam are delicious, but after many days of haute cuisine is Holsteiner duck with potato dumplings for the guests of the hit. Or chips.
But tonight, many of the 200 chips are prepared to stay: The weather promises more than just a stiff breeze, more than six wind strengths, there also comes the "Europe" to the swings. "Is the sea calm, remember you do not often that one is working on a ship," says Matthias Mayr, one of 45 chefs.
But today, you notice it. Since Portholes be closed, secured and Servierwagen grid hochgeschoben so pots do not slip from the stove, which is still not always be prevented. The Strait of Bonifacio, which account for only about twelve kilometers wide strait between Sardinia and Corsica, is notorious for its harsh weather conditions. The waves beat violently against the bug, on deck, ten winds measured: This means hurricane strength.
Bouillon in strong waves
Stefan Wilke chef has his chair in the office attached to allow the menus for the next few days plan. Even the one or the other chef is a little pale around the nose. "I was lucky so far," says the 29-year-old from the Wilke Ländle, "seasick, I am not yet become. I am rather tired of strong waves." So almost "business as usual, just quieter.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION JäkelLutz Lutz Jäkel: "Enjoy the world's oceans." New Umschau Verlag, 192 pages, 34.90 Euro.Einfach directly and conveniently in blogs shop today especially suites service to do so. Popular dinner at up to eight-meter high waves: broth without deposit or only half servings. Or nothing. Rumms, and already has a plate from the bar adopted. Some cooks put film in order to prevent slipping. While outside the sea rages, it is in the kitchen for a change quietly. Reversed roles.
Frühaufsteherfrühstück, breakfast, morning bouillon, lunch and dinner, afternoon coffee and tea with pastries, hot waffles, midnight snack, these are the temptations of the approximately 400 guests at the "Europe" - in a calm lake - challenge. 4000 calories a day is here, every passenger on average to be at the end of a journey is the wardrobe no longer quite so elegant.
This Stefan Wilke and his team of culinary stars can fetch sky, the camp with all the finest ingredients, always well-filled. This is Silvio Ulrich responsible: The 29-year-old is the hotel's inventory controller, shortly HIC. He is aboard the ruler over 20,000 items. All five to six weeks there is a "Heavy Stoaring", no matter where in the world, the "Europe" is underway. Then we will have ten to twelve 40-foot containers on ten trucks in front of the "Europe" with the range of an average supermarket and a small delicatessen shop.
A ton of rice for the crew
On average 170 tonnes disappear in the belly of the ship: including ten tons of meat, a ton of butter, 5300 liters of milk, three tons of flour, 4,000 rolls of toilet paper, 2200 liters of ice cream, 6000 bottles of wine, 4200 liters of beer, 2,500 bottles of champagne and sparkling wine? ? and a ton of special rice for the Filipino crew members. Christmas is just around the corner, come alone, six euro pallets chocolate.
TRAVEL FOOD travel and food are two sides of a coin, new countries experiences always go through the stomach. In the series is devoted to food travel blogs ONLINE the culinary aspect of travel: Exceptional restaurants, gifted star chefs, bartenders ready finger or bizarre Garköche - the world-wide tastes anywhere else. But all the recipes are nachkochbar.Alle two to three week, also fresh new gebunkert be about 15 tonnes of fruit and vegetables and some 15,000 eggs. That will be purchased locally, or it comes with the aircraft or trucks, along with the flowers from Holland. The approximately 1200 oysters and 300 lobsters, which are delivered every two weeks, are in styrofoam boxes on damp newsprint and seaweed bedded. They are a good four days to transport.
However, just to be the route to be calculated precisely. "The biggest obstacle is the last meters before the ship," says Stefan Femerling company of the Hamburg Sea leaders responsible for purchasing and control of goods is responsible. "Thousands of miles are oysters in the remotest corners of the earth on the cold chain can be observed on the surface, everything works out. And then the Viecher on a coach at 50 degrees temperature brought to the ship. It survives no oyster."
There are also other problems: When a beverage delivery was on board the container ship, someone apparently twisted the thermostat. Instead, plus 6 degrees, it was minus 20 degrees. Most bottles were burst, the corks had blown up from the wine bottles.
HIC as Vorkoster
"A container delivery is a bit like Christmas," says Ulrich and Silvio while a grin across the face. "You can unpack and curious as to what is in there. But it is most like us, of course, if we do not have surprises." The store is also home to the sanctum to which only three people on board have access captain, Food & Beverage Manager and the HIC. For behind the thick doors are the caviar supplies, always well filled. Currently there are 70 kilograms worth about 140,000 euros.
"Worldwide, every year about 20 tons of wild caviar traded and verspeist. This alone is more than half a tonne on the 'Euro'," says Stefan Femerling. Pro journey consumes 15 kilograms, alone at the gala evening walk around seven kilos in real and perceived Gourmet mouths. And if something unexpected is going to run, walk HIC and the chef on the spot to shop.
But it can also go wrong: "At a fish market in South Korea, we have tasted oysters," says Ulrich. "I was then twelve days with a fish poisoning in the hospital." The HIC, a Vorkoster for the guests. There had also not helped calm seas.

Powder alarm at Schatzberg.

Skiing despite avalanche danger: For tours offer breathtaking Kitzbüheler Alps powder slopes for beginners and experts. That has, however, around - if you avoid traffic jams on the mountain, you must get up early.
  "During the past 24 hours there have been widespread in North Tyrol 20 to 30 centimeters of fresh snow in the Kitzbüheler Alps Zillertaler locally up to 50 centimeters." So proclaims the Avalanche report on Friday before our weekend in the Tour Windau. For Saturday is bright sunny announced, the anticipation is rising. The three Lawinenwarnstufe still requires vigilance. Our happiness that we have chosen the Kitzbüheler Alps for this weekend have chosen. There is also greater New cases always something.
That, however, know many (not just local) walking tour. And so we unverspurten of the slopes still getting our piece, it announced early start. At 7.30 clock shows the car thermometer in the shade at the Inn valley Steinberg frosty minus 19 degrees. Only quick tour inside the shoes, the skins are already stuck in the ski? it can go!
FOUND IN ... Alpin - The mountain magazine edition 1/2009InhaltsverzeichnisHeft bestellenwww.alpin.deDer increase initially runs on a flat forest road, soon we will turn right and stepped on grass slopes, we finally Steinbergalm when the warming sun. At the well-in track and climb through some tracks from the day before departure, we realize that we are of course not the first, however it is still the vast terrain over large areas unverspurt. In cold air, the snow crystals glisten in the sun? The mood is fantastic.
However, I fear that the snow quality through the sunlight could be affected and give us only a short water break. With the increasing amount opens the panorama to the north? seals in the south of the mighty stone Steinberg, unfortunately from the prospect.
Into the white pleasure
Perfect powder slopes are now up to the little striking the highest point of the Steinberg. The first drive is already starting to dust and tidy. Despite the tempting powder we take the time for an extensive Gipfelrast overlooking the rolling hills of the ski Windautal. Compared to illuminate the western slopes of dance Kogel until crushing Horn still almost virgin? there is still a wide choice for tomorrow.
And then it's going into the white fun. First, it is something driving record until the ski far enough floating. Now the knee a little bit and you tend to draw detailed touring around the curve? left, right, left, right ... Until thigh up dust powder, easily and without effort wag we go to the forest.
Much too soon we reach the forest road. Who has freshly waxed, must now look penultimate time, when he relaxed at his colleagues vigorously pushing vorbeigleitet. The joy of the last successful tour tags waits in the form of a decent piece of cake with "shock" at the inn Steinberg.
One night just at the starting point of a ski tour does have its advantages: While the vast majority of tours are on the backlog of mandatory Irschenberg the Inntal triangle rolls, peel we ausgeschlafen well from the comfortable beds and serve us at the lavish breakfast buffet. The first cars are already on the bottom of the parking lot in front of the inn Steinberg, when we returned to the familiar path in the valley take the skins.
In the track on plateau
Today we turn but after a few minutes from the now well-established forest road to the left on a bridge in the direction from Gerst Inger yoke. Thankfully, we follow the easy-ranging career track in the past to Niederalm plateau.
When compulsory stop drinking the critical gaze wander to the short steep step above, in the orderly wind driving snow eingeblasen has. Apparently unimpressed, our predecessors have their sharp turns. That I would probably not dare yesterday. After but still quite low winter sun below the hillside for several hours yesterday afternoon striped, should the snow in the clear night have further consolidated.
We agree discharge distances and increase the rate of climb through our tour commitments, as the slope of the track now rise markedly increasing. So we quickly reach flatter terrain and on the following long and sometimes Gratrücken we walk off with best view over the summit already visible.
From the other side, from the Spertental, will now also tours up? also we are a small group of followers and is on the ridge over in our direction, while the summit will be passed around chocolate. The descent can deliver what they promised during the ascent. After connecting to our Steilhang behind us, we will gather shortly before the site edge. We go now to the hut alone.
ON TO ONLINE security blogs on runways: "People who buy you a helmet" (02.01.2009) Whistler Ski Area: frosting snow for the Olympics (20.12.2008) Germany's northernmost skilift: twenty seconds in Snow Noise (04.12.2008) With every swing I dive deep into the loose snow and is supported by a slight impulse to kick the thighs once again herauskatapultiert the next swing. The powder dust me up every face and euphoric schwinge I do from the lodge. One by one wag my friends down and one or the other Juchzer heard about this.
Below the hut, the sun yesterday afternoon, the snow has a little added a slight crust covers here below powder. Only on the right side of the site back was a little flatter angle radiation, the surface is still beautiful crumbly. So we find something with an eye for terrain down to the valley perfect snow and crowned the Gerst Inger yoke to date of departure of the best ski season? let's see how many weekends this award will endure.

Struggle to tyrants skull.

Actually, the residents of the Orkneys extremely friendly. On New Year's morning, however, the Viking in them. Then, run and fight them. Then cut and curse them. It is not about life and death. There is more. It is a ball
  Perhaps it is not tamed Wikingergen from early Scandinavia, which occasionally hervorbricht. Twice a year, namely, at Christmas and on New Year's morning, held in the Kirkwall Ba 'games instead. Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkneys, the Ba 'Games are regarded as a game in which a leather ball, the Ba', in particular must be brought Heimtor. When one door is a gabled house, the other is a large part of the tennis court dock.

At stake are two teams that are "Uppies" from the Upper and the Doonies from the Lower City. The teams only come together for this event, anyone can join, it will never be trained, and there are no rules. The whole thing is a kind of inner-city rugby, whose roots, as I said, in the Vikings past the Scots lies. That explains a lot.
FOUND IN ... mareDie Journal Issue No. seas. 71Titelthema: GrönlandDez. 2008 / Feb. 2009Aktuelles Issue bestellenwww.mare.deZum example why suddenly prominent citizens to be barbarians. "They cut the skull that literally," wondered a foreign reporter a few years ago. At least two days a year. On Christmas Ba 'and New Year Ba' come before Kirkwall window heavy oak slabs, of ship rivets held together. The doors will be finger-thick planks verrammelt, the newspapers suggest that children are not on the road to leave. In the churches in which the candles of the shop owners and homeowners are greatest, gather more people than usual? supposedly, because this Christmas it was standard practice.
Before the Kirkwall Ba 'games as Miami before a hurricane.
Soon the head rolls
What a wonderful New Year's morning. The sun is shining as a ball over the St. Magnus Cathedral in the heart of Kirkwall. On the square in front of it, the "Mercat Cross", the Market Cross, waiting for the thousands of people. Laughter, whiskey, beer, wine. Popular mood, the hearts are free and happy. Soon the head rolls.
The City Council's voice trembles. "Dear fellow citizens of Kirkwall!" He faces his town hall, whose lower part has a couple of days in a tank made of wood and metal connector. The City holds the ball firmly under his arm. Before that, in the midst of the finely dressed weight, see it at the 200 rotgesichtige men. In contrast to the spectators around them räudige wear jerseys and trousers. This is the "mob". Shoulder to shoulder urge them to work closely Fanchor like an embrace.
"Fuck you, asshole! You renk my arm out!"
Starr looks the mob of men now on the Kirchturmuhr, whispering among them the countdown. 13, the clock bell, clock section 13 of the City Council raises the ball point 13 clock screams on the pack. "Yeah!" Arms up fast, they spread the ball forward, just as it is close to the bronze bas-relief is to be seen: men, the ball on them like a dark, demonic Planet. Legs are proposing to meet fists. The ball flies in a beautiful arc, directly in their midst. He is sinking in their throats. More than 4000 pounds, the inhabitants of the relief donated Uppies how Doonies. A good example of concord.
"Reiss his ear, Brian!"
"Break his bones, Mick!"
"Get him ready, John!"
Kicking against the skull of the tyrant
The ball in question, is deeply hidden in the crowd. There was once a severed head, in any case, if the Histörchen believes that here, "the delightful old tale" means that the "delightful old story." Consequently, there were in the ancient times before a tyrant, which looked pretty silly. He had two huge incisors, so that it all just "Tusker" tusk, called it. The hatred of the people eventually forced him to flee, but the fear of his return was great. So did a young Recke to finally subdue him. The head of the tyrant, he returned home, there was great joy.
But not for long: Because of the head, loosely attached at the saddle, swung back and forth, had the prominent teeth, the hero a few arge torn wounds in the leg. With toil and hardship, he reached the Market Cross in the St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, with their last strength, he threw the cheering crowd hated the head. Then he faded. The people, however, upset about this last act of the tyrant, whose skull kickte by Kirkwall streets. This is the origin of the Ba 'games. Some patriots are actually a few historical short passes to the end of the football legend attributed to this.
"Doonies, Doonies, do it!" "Up, up, Uppies!" "He bleeds, he bleeds! Medic!"
To the 200 men have verknäult still fight it to the cathedral, where about half an hour before the throw was. On the edge are the women who are friends of the fighters. They howl, shriek, they shout battle cries, and when they think nobody sees it, she joined the formidable opponent in the ass. But come the furies of the maelstrom of bodies too close, it sucks the inexorable one. Then they must be happy, if they are given only the hair disheveled. The mass undulates times in one, sometimes in the other direction, but do not actually happen. Sometimes a scream is rising to the sky, that one's blood freezes. But half as bad, only a few abrasions, a broken nose, an arm ausgerenkter here and there.
Broken nose: "He had yet zuhauen"
"In my opinion, is the Ba 'is a crazy, brutal humiliating spectacle. Why do the authorities allow, is a mystery. There is no science, no rules, no sports or whatever in it. Nothing. It is absolutely disgusting!" The man who says, says David Horne and adopted as an old inhabitant of many Kirkwall Ba 'Games. He had retired, the proud with since his youth hardly missed a game.
"Goddamnaaaahhhh !!!"" Uhhhhrrrgh!" "Carrying him out!"
What a beautiful morning. The hands in his pockets, eyes veiled, Billy Jolly stands on the edge. Of course he would be happy here. In the mob, whose center smoke rises, smoke signals from dünstendem men sweat. Where the vapor is thickest on, there is to see the ball, he is not, it would indeed be nice. "Shit, my eggs!" Body crashing to the pavement. "Ah," sighs Billy Jolly, "even still be there?"
But Billy is over 60 And almost 30 years away from that photograph that made him the most beautiful moment of his life shows? survey itself as the birth of daughter, heady as the first sip of whiskey. On the shoulders of the guys he sits high above, just below the stars of Scotland. The face is from an armor salvaged from beard hair, only the nose, unprotected, acts battered.
"The nose was broken, Brian had fully allocated." Has he contacted Brian avenged? "But no, Brian was Doonie, I Uppie, but he had zuhauen. He was also my best friend." The teeth were still healing. And it radiates Billy laughs. His hands hold the Ba '. "Jolly Good", the newspaper text under Billy jollys gewortwitzelt photo. "I had three broken ribs," says Billy, "but felt nothing. Definitely not the same."
It's about him: a small medicine ball. Leather exterior, inside a zerbröseltem cork stopped goat bladder, hard as a cannonball. This is the Ba ', the head. Every year a new Rolls, the oldest is from 1881. Of course he is not in the museum. For it is surely about? literally, as in a figurative sense?, the Ba 'to bring back home. " For the Uppies, it is an inconspicuous house wall, where the Junction Road meets Main Street, for the Doonies is a piece of docks at Sailing Club. In the days of sailing ships had to Ba 'still on top of a mast to be hoisted. Today it is enough simply to dunk in the water. Both gates are each barely two kilometers away from the market cross, where everything always starts.