My First time on the Piste
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2003
1
55
66
Trip End
Sep 20, 2004
Poina Brasov, Romania
Sunday, May 2, 2004
The town of Brasov itself is a bit grim and we heard rumours of tourists disappearing on nights out never to be seen again. As far as the skiing went, well, it was my first ime, Jane had been before and was hoping our group would be quick on the uptake. Unfortunately the group were a bunch of X-files and we resigned ourselves to a long, slow week. Even before putting their skis on some of them were falling over, add this to their comedy ski suits and it was like having a skiing lesson with the muppets. We spent three days at the foot of the mountain learning to 'snow plough' then on the fourth day we took a cable car up the mountain. The views were stunning and I spent a lot of time just sat on my arse ion the snow admiring the beauty of the clouds. The blue runs were steeper up and our group, true to form, collapsed like a bunch of multi-coloured skittles. However, things soon picked up pace and we actually began to feel the wind in our faces. As we still had little control of the skis our accidents became more spectacular culminating in Jane flying off the edge of the mountain giving one long piercing scream. I rushed over to the spot where she had vacted the mountain to fins a movie scene with Jane saved from a grim fate by a tree stump that had blocked her fall.
The instructor Mia was a former Romanian champion, very patient and thorough. Each day she would take us somewhere new to eat. There was one place, called 'the Outlaw's Hut', which alledgedly served bear although no-one was sick enough to try it..honest.... hmmmm.
That was the one thing that people did complain about in the hotel - the food. The country was going through a rough time and I'm sure we were actually eating the best available, however, that empathy didn't make the cheese less rubbery.
The day-trips we did were suprisingly good. We went to Castle Bran the home of COunt Doodah on whom the Dracula myth was centred. It was very picturesque and only a little spooky.
The day in Bucharest was fascinating. So many amazing events had happened there recently. There were bullet holes in the walls and a feeeling of represssion and revolution.
As a skiing destination there would not be a great deal for the advanced skier but as a beginner it was great. Our only regret was not finding the local sauna and pool until the last night. Then again you can only rub up against large Bavarian men for so-long before it starts to get a little bit icky.
