Wednesday, March 18, 2009

ABC Wednesday - I is for Isolde in Innsbruck

In 2002 we went on a 9 day coach tour through 9 countries.


Day 7 was Innsbruck. I left my wife in the hotel at St. Anton and went on the coach trip to Innsbruck. There we picked up our guide, Isolde, and journey up to the Bergisel. Here is a small park dedicated to Andreas Hofer. Originally an innkeeper, livestock trader and wine merchant, in 1809 Hofer fought at Bergisel against 30,000 Bavarian soldiers who were fighting for Napoleon. In 1810 he and his army were defeated in the fourth battle of Bergisel. On the orders of Napoleon he was later put to death.


Towering above us was the Olympic ski-jump. The original jump was destroyed in 2000 and a new one was being built. As we stood looking down over the town and the Basilika Wilten, Isolde tells us that the ski-jumpers, waiting to jump can look left or right. To the left is the hospital; to the right is the cemetery. Most jumpers are well-focussed and there are few accidents.


From Bergisel we drive down to the Basilika. A green-liveried tram decorated with images of Mozart passes by.


Later I am free to wander around the lovely ancient streets on my own. You can read about the rest of my day on our Europe 2002 journal.

For more I posts visit ABC Wednesday.

19 comments:

  1. Isolde in Innsbruck sounds like the kind of guide one should have everywhere.

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  2. Gerald, although I've been living in Austria for the last 10 years I'm sorry to say that I've never been to Innsbruck - except passing through on the trains going to and from the French Alps. Perhaps now I'll be inspired to go!
    Best,
    Gwilym

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  3. Great post of Isolde in Innsbruck , good that you made some photo's for your home staying wife, thats sweet of you:)

    Greetings from JoAnn
    Happy ABC

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  4. What a wonderful post for "I"! And Isolde does indeed sound like the perfect guide! I've been to Innsbruck and it is as lovely as I remember it! Thanks for a lovely "I"!

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  5. Looks like a fascinating destination. The view to either side from the ski jump must be sobering for those skiers!

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  6. Thank you for the tour! It must have been a wonderful trip!

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  7. Interesting post, especially about how focussed the skiers were! No doubt they focussed straight ahead. lol

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  8. Thank you for the little tour, it is fascinating and beautiful.

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  9. Thanks for a lovely tour of a beautiful town. I'm sorry to see you leave the ABC Wednesday but I do understand. I hope your move goes smoothly.

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  10. What a fantastic trip! I love your trips and your amazing memories from them. So special : ).

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  11. Beautiful and fascinating. I smiled at the choice of focus - one side the cemetery, one side the hospital.

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  12. Good entry. I too wonder about Tristan...

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  13. A stroll around a place I've never been! And an interesting insight! :)

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  14. wonderful puffy clouds in your sky shot!
    neat tour, sounds like fun!

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  15. It sounds (and looks) like you had a wonderful time. thanks for sharing!

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  16. Good luck with your move Gerald. Hope it all goes smoothly.

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