Innsbruck | Munich
EXTREM – a motto that promises thrills, excitement and fun! Just two days earlier, we found out where our training programme would take us and the time had finally come. We set off in two VW buses, still a little tired but in a good mood. First stop: the design festival at paper manufacturer Gmund. Impressive paper figures, clever packaging, a showroom with all the winners of the Gmund Awards 2019 and even the couch design to match the Gmund Colours await us in the paper factory, which has been cleared out especially for this purpose! The possibilities around the use of Gmund paper seem endless to us. Some of us are even particularly brave, because there are tattoos! – Well, they’re not quite real, but at least they’re a really stylish temporary reminder. The inspiring talks by the guest speakers were particularly impressive, each with their own unique story and a very personal appeal to the audience. After all kinds of delicious pasta, hot dogs, cakes & Co., a special highlight of the day awaits us, a tour of the Gmund paper production facility. From the paper pulp to the final inspection of each individual sheet, we learn (almost) everything about the processes in the factory. Just imagine, the paper machine has been running since the end of the 19th century!
Second stop: Innsbruck. Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, we arrive at the Nala Hotel in the centre of Innsbruck with many impressions in our luggage. Admittedly, a toilet directly behind the TV is something else, but it’s precisely because of its crazy design that we are so impressed by the Nala Hotel. Breakfast at a dizzying height? No problem for us, the next morning we take the lift up to the Bergisel ski jump. A fantastic breakfast buffet awaits us in the Bergisel café and while we feast, we watch the young ski jumpers take off into the air – really cool! Thomas Thurnbichler, former ski jumper and now coach of the junior team, later gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes of ski jumping. Our very personal test of courage is sitting on the infamous trembling beam, the feeling of absolute freedom makes us realise the euphoria of this sport. Of course, we are only minimally disturbed by the view of the cemetery directly behind us. But the all-clear – everyone returns safely and we are already looking forward to the next guided tour on the architecture and history of the ski jump. In bright sunshine, we learn more about Zaha Hadid, the architect, but also about the historical background of the ski jump. However, Innsbruck wouldn’t be Innsbruck if we hadn’t all seen the golden roof and so we set off on an exploratory tour before heading to Munich.
Last stop: Munich. It doesn’t get any better than this? Oh yes it does! A quick freshen-up and then it’s off to dinner in the Olympic Tower. 181 metres above the ground, we get a 360° view of Munich through the rotating floor plate and the incredibly delicious vegan menu also helps to make this evening unforgettable. Once again, time flies by far too quickly and the last morning of our training programme begins in the quaint and cosy Café Marais. After panini, scrambled eggs and coffee, we move on to the next highlight, the tour of the Olympic site. Our tour guide Dennis gives us insights and interesting background information on the construction of the entire site. We are blown away when we learn that the Olympic Stadium was built more or less on "good luck" and yet it is still standing today, unbelievable but really true! It is so stable that we can even continue our tour on the roof of the stadium. Secured with a climbing harness and helmet, we scale the roof and get an incredible view over Munich and far beyond. We are allowed to abseil from over 50 metres above the ground, where we have to summon up all our courage, keep our bodies tense and never look down! But little by little, we gain confidence in our harness and just a few moments later, each and every one of us is floating above the stadium, a breathtaking feeling. After all the adrenaline, we are glad to have solid ground under our feet again and explore Munich at dusk, savouring one or two delicacies before making our way home to Stuttgart. Our verdict: EXTREMELY interesting, EXTREMELY enriching, EXTREMELY exciting, EXTREMELY delicious, EXTREMELY grateful!
Patricia Bischof
