Bernd. OT, Austria'Lost in Seasonland', (an article from document snowboard #5 ). This article was passed onto me by my brother when I was 18yrs old and I clearly remember at the time being inspired by the writers experiences and writing. Over the last 8 years of my travels, I have often thought back to this article in different countries relating to many of the writers thoughts and perspectives of travelling and to experience it also with my own eyes.....Enjoy the read! :o)
LOST IN SEASON LAND....and of course, sometimes you stop and wonder what you're doing with your life. Like when you have to choose between new snowboard goggles, or between a mountain bike and getting your car fixed because you need it all. When you suddenly wake up and somehow you are 26, smart, talented and still compiling your crap job list.
Crap Job #47 - Carrier of scaffolidng
When your best friend talks about her promotion and what shes having done to her kitchen-- not the kitchen
but HER kitchen. When you are a fully fledged 'grown up' and your parents fridge is still an Aladdins cave
filled with edible treasure, the likes you haven't tasted since the last time you were at home. when a
double bed with a duvet feels like Christmas, Easter and your last 10 birthdays rolled into a piece of
furniture. Sometime when the surf is crap or it hasn't snowed in two weeks and you feel immobilised.... you
get to the point when you are wondering if the next time you'll notice, you'll be 37 and still marooned in
seasonland on crap job #85 and saying to yourself .... "just one more summer/winter and then i'll do
something serious!!"
BUT THEN:
You make a mundane trip to buy a phone card and the setting sun has coloured the mountain snow a brilliant
unearthly vermilion. The unjustifiable beauty of the ocean as the sun sinks below the horizon with you and
your surfboard merging into the scenery. Thats when you realise: this isn't a post card or an advert, this
is YOUR LIFE.
Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.... You can drop in on your friends unannounced and somebody always has time for a game of chess. Nobody gives a shit how much you earn. The feeling of a body that is naturally fit through your interests without irreplaceble hours that evaporate in a gym.
You get used to the fish jumping metres from where you are bobbing and the jellyfish doing what they do,
absolutely nothing. The utter stillness of the mountains as you ascend on a chairlift. You take it
for granted: the different cultures you are living amongst, just how lucky you are to be living in a
time, situation and society that allow you to do pretty much as you please. Your freedom of movement.
Your FREEDOM.
The most enjoyable part is hindsight. In retrospect you forget about the insects, being broke, being
ripped off, the inhumane living conditions and losing your: stuff, money, bottle or rag.
You remember the individual characters of different countries, the unique colours and light, the tastes,
the textures. How years later the fragrance of a meal projects you through a haze of routine, to a place you
thought you'd forgotten.
Night skiing- Obertauern, Austria
And maybe you lose your wonderlust but the subtle changes are still there. The way you can wait for a late flight or train. When you convey your wishes to somebody who doesn't speak the same language without
any embarrasment or ignorance.
That's when your sacifices, uncertainties, and indignities seem to dissolve and it all seems worthwhile. So you grab your pack, kiss your crying Mum goodbye and head off again in search of excitement, inspiration, the unknown and crap job #48.
Lovin' the pow In Obertauern, Austria 09
After the 6 week pow storm - from our flat in Obertauern, Austria. **Bliss**
