A life on the edge...

[Fisherking]

I take it, you are in Tirol?

[Kadagar_AV]

Quick update as I am about to go get my hair cut.

MRD, I can write down the rates here, official and unofficial, but I wont have time till later. About world economy, it is actually quite interesting here. Good question, I will go into depth about that later, as it has affected us in different ways than I think most would expect. Way easier for me to get a job, as an example. More tonight.

Fisherking, I wont disclose my location more than Austria. I will probably write some stuff that could offend people around me.

Kralizec, well, my life is mine. I was utterly depressed in Sweden living the ""normal" life there. I need the atmosphere that I have only found here, to make MY life worthwhile. Don't get me wrong, I am sure living on ~1500€ + tips isn't for everyone in their early thirties (as I am), but hey, if it floats my boat..

Here, I wake up with a big smile, excited about what the day will hold. What more can you expect from life, really?

[Andres]

I think it's great that you made this decision. Most people would simply stick to their current (boring) lives for a variety of reasons. You just brushed all of that aside and decided to go for what Kadagar_AV wants in live. And since you don't have a wife or kids (not that you know of... ), why wouldn't you leave Sweden and go chase your dreams? Who knows, perhaps within this and a few years, you have your own ski school, just like some of your former colleagues, a good Austrian wife who found a way to tame you and put you on a leash and a baby with 7 pairs of skis.

[drone]

I take it, you are in Tirol?

My guess is that he's in Lech, violating the female nobility.

[Kadagar_AV]

World economy and the valley:

2 factors together are working for us. First of all, ski vacations are generally the last thing people skip. I have found that people used to go on ski vacation once or more per year prefer to, say, give up the family's second car than cancel the ski trip.

The second factor is that Austria, thanks to the Euro plummeting and Austria being smart, are now pretty damn cheap compared to Switzerland or France, our two main competitors. Many families and groups who switch country from year to year, this year pick Austria as it is comparatively cheaper.

Basically, this town is experiencing a mini-gold rush.

3 more ski schools have opened just this vinter! That is... massive...


My day:

I shaved and went and got my hair cut. I feel that the world has changed a little, and not everyone accept a long haired ski instructor. I can always turn them to my side, but I don't feel like starting a lesson on minus, so to say.

I spent the day checking up the street credential of the 3 different ski schools I consider working for. I am down to 2 options:

1) The biggest ski school in town, where I have worked since 2001.
+ Used to it.
+ Well paid.
+ I know the unofficial boundaries.
+ I have a base of private guests.
+ Monthly paid.
- Been there done that.
- I have learnt all they have to teach me.
- Much work.

2) Smallest ski school in town, newly starting to accept instructors.

Basically, this ski school was run by a guy with a ski school license, but he was the only one working for himself. Now he wants me and maybe one more guy along, to start to expand. Also, he is getting older (60+) and possibly want someone to pass on his private guests to.
+ New challenge.
+ I can extend my list of private guests.
+ I think this guy has some things to teach me, he has spent his life on the mountain.
+ Opens up new connections in town.
- Possible loyalty issues with old work place?
- Possibly less paid as I get paid per hour I work, not per month. So my own ability to get guests will play in.
- Will lose some connections connected with former work place.

Hmmmm... Tricky tricky... I lean towards option 2 though. I mean, I AM winging my life anyway... Might as well go all in.



I also helped out at one of the ski rentals, renovating it. Or, well, helped out... I was Spotify DJ and sat in a couch drinking beer as they worked. Hey, it's not like I got paid. But yeah, I did help some when needed... These guys are great though, gives me super deals on equipment and help me look after my gear. I haven't sharpened the edges or waxed my own skis since 2001, my first year here.

The owner is getting the newest Go Pro Helmet Cam, so I will buy his old one (50€, a bargain!). So, expect a first person perspective from a ski run later!

I have yet to sort a camera, so pictures will have to wait...

I was down at the biggest bar in town today, DAMN one of the new bartender girls are hot. Dark hair, porcelain skin... Swedish BABE, and just soooooo cute...

Yeah, it took me all of 5 min to have her go with me on a private lesson as soon as slopes open... So yeah, odds are we'll play Twister. The owner of the bar will be furious though, me having sex with his bartenders have become more or less a tradition, and I promise him pretty much constantly that the last one was the last one. I'm not sure he believe me much any longer. In all fairness, it's not MY fault that he and I obviously have the same taste in girls. I'm not joking, every single year he hires someone that just make me... Whatevs ;)

Oh, and btw, this girl had a bad crash skiing when she was young, but now want to get back into it. As a professional ski instructor I will of course help her overcome her fears. On the mountain, I will be her safety net, the calm in the storm, her safety line... And yeah, when she comes down from the last run she will have a big smile on her face, and she will again have learnt to love skiing.

Just if anyone wondered just how interested she could possibly be in playing Twister.

Now it's soon 23:pm local time, time to hit the night life!

[Strike For The South]

Not surprising

I don't think I have ever met someone who captures the libertine and the bourgeois so perfectly

[Tellos Athenaios]

Good for you, doing what you love and making it work for you.

[Kadagar_AV]

Not surprising

I don't think I have ever met someone who captures the libertine and the bourgeois so perfectly

Not to mention with such style!

Last night was nice, didn't see the cute new bartender though. I was, however, not the only one she had left an impression on. Some of the other bartenders at the place talked about her. She is known to be a complete and utter tease, and absolutely impossible to pick up. They have known her for 2 weeks. Hmmmm... Thing is, even girls who are extremely picky will at least at one point during the season get laid. You just have to make sure you are the one there when it happens.

Also new bartenders there are 2 sisters from Argentina. Super cool girls, I love tough bartender girls... They have a certain charm.


I am a bit nervous about today. Today is the second shot at moving in at my new place. Last time it was a dump, I will later go down and see how it looks now. But yeah, I am supposed to move in there this evening, hope it at least has a lock on the door now...

Oh well, I can sleep away some more nights.

Today is a VERY special day here. It's the day of an ancient tradition, celebrated in the mountainous parts of Europe. I will tell you more about it later, and try and find some links.

Oh, and people get hurt today... it's a rough tradition, to say the least.

[Papewaio]

Not surprising

I don't think I have ever met someone who captures the libertine and the bourgeois so perfectly

Ah a man who knows what he wants, chooses lifestyle over money, works outdoors and is honest about it. One would think a Texan would understand. Maybe they are all hat and no action.

[Fragony]

Live the dream mia muca

[Furunculus]

good luck.