04+Innsbruck+Austria

Innsbruck autumn 2010! // By Ingrid Hansen, Norway. // The European Commission funded in 2009 a project from the Lifelong Learning Programme Comenius International School Project. It was called The Treasures of the Mountains. This project would last from 2009 until 2011. The purpose was to increase the knowledge about mountains in between youth from eight different European countries. The participating countries are Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey, Spain, Austria, Poland and Norway. To make this happen, one school from each country was chosen, and had to perform different tasks. Like inventing games, and local hikes. On these hikes the students and teachers would leave markings out in the fields for others to find. This was called Geocaching. To fully understand the mountains in other countries four trips were planned. One to Lillehammer, Norway, one to Barcelona, Spain, one to Kapadokya, Turkey and one to Innsbruck, Austria. As you may have guessed already, due to the title, this is about the trip to Innsbruck, Austria. This is the view from the top point of our hike. We were suppose to go on a two days- hike in the Alps, but the snow came early in the heights, so it were re-scheduled. Instead we went on a smaller hike, from the city to a cottage approximately 1000 m higher than the starting point. This hike was steep. The hillside started in a slow slope, but after one hundred meters we were all inn for a surprise. The mighty Alps rose above us. Having the slope turned into a wall of grass and stone, it was more like a climb than a hike. But the view at the top was stunning. Even though it was foggy, you could just feel the mighty view in front of you. At the egde there had been put up three posters of the view, in case of bad weather. A picture of the Norwegians at the top. Later that week we went to visit the silver mines. Being shut down some years ago, it had now been turned into a museum facility. We parted in two large groups, and went off into the mountain. In front of us there were little carts which we got into. We had to sit after one another because it was very narrow. The carts started rolling, faster and faster, and the inside of the mine spun around us. It was amazing. Far off inside the mountain, we got out, and were guided around to watch were different things had happened. We watched a fake blowout, we were shown different engineering machines, and a silver oar. We got a guided tour through Innsbruck, and we went to the Alpen Zoo. In this zoo we experienced different animals that had their natural habitats in the Alps. This zoo was on a beautifully located site with an exquisite view over the city. In the evenings we went out on the town having fun with the local youth. Doing different activities all the time, we really learned a lot about Austrian culture. We also went on an excursion to Bolzano, Italy, to visit the Ötzi- museum. This week in Innsbruck was way too short. It should at least have been for two more, maybe even three, but as all good things, they come to an end. I learned so much and for my part this project has been an insight in another culture apart from my own. I got to use my ten years of school English, and I got new friends from all over Europe. I am really glad that I signed on for this project, and I don't regret going.The Ötzi-museum in Bolzano, Italy .