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Adventures in Austria & Slovenia


 


Waaay back in 2019, before the nightmare that was Covid when we were all just naive babies who had no idea what was coming, Eden was just 15 years old and playing basketball for a traveling club team in Kaiserslautern, Germany. It was summer and we were embarking on what was supposed to be about an eight-hour drive down to Worthersee, Austria for the United World Games where her team would compete. This was such a unique experience for her and really felt like we were taking part in something special. Teams from all over the world gather every year in this community to partake in a week-long tournament. There was an opening ceremony with parades, trophy ceremonies, the whole nine yards!


female basketball players using a wall to stretch before a tournament game
Eden's team stretching before a game

Stadium filled with spectators from all around the world
The crowd at the opening ceremonies of the United World Games

young girls celebrating at a basketball tournament with flags representing their country
Eden at the opening ceremonies of the United World Games

Eden's team basically ran through the competition every day until they met with an extremely well-disciplined and trained group from Estonia. Their precision could not be matched, and Eden's team of military brats that had never even met until the beginning of their season, couldn't overcome their skills. They took 2nd place in the tournament, much to their disappointment. Eden still wears a bracelet given to her by the team from Estonia to remember their skill and dedication.


During the tournament, Eden got to stay in a hotel with her friends. This was a dream for our adolescent daughter who was trying to establish her independence and develop her personality separate from her parents. It was also great for us, because while she was practicing every day before games, we got to spend time exploring the area around Worthersee!

 

Worthersee is a picturesque little town nestled in the Austrian Alps. There is a giant, crystal clear, bright, blue lake that runs through the heart of the area. A winding network of roads bends and curves along the lake, taking you through a treasure trove of restaurants, hotels, and bed & breakfasts. It is a bit out of the way, with no major cities very close, but Slovenia and the famous Lake Bled are only about an hour and a half drive from there.


We decided to make the trek to Bled one morning before Eden's afternoon games. It was such a pleasant little drive through the alps on a convenient, major highway. Once we got to the Slovenian border, it felt like we were entering a gateway to a magical land. The border crossing has a large tollgate with giant, looming mountains in the background that look like sentinels granting entry.


Getting in was a breeze, but when we crossed back into Austria later that afternoon, we had to wait in traffic for almost an hour! I do recommend planning your entry and exit times as a lot of tourists stay in Austria and drive over to see the beauty of Slovenia.


Once we got to Bled and found parking, I was dying to get down to the lake. The skies looked a bit ominous, but nothing was going to stop me from getting photos of what I'd only caught glimpses of on the drive in. Finger on the shutter button, I trekked down the hills toward the lake, ignoring the rumbling of thunder and the darkening sky. When Matt and I got to the water's edge, I was able to snap a few shots before giant drops of water began plopping on our heads. We spotted a dock with a roof and dashed over to snag a spot amongst the other huddling tourists. A tiny boat sat alone on the lake as the deluge set in.



It was so beautiful, and I cannot describe the experience of laughing and attempting to dry off with people who didn't even speak the same language as us from all over the world. The sounds and the smell are etched into my memory forever.


The storm only lasted about 15 minutes before the skies began to clear and the world returned to normal. We were left with an absolutely surreal view of the lake, moisture evaporating off the surface in the newly shining sun, under a sky still filled with tumultuous clouds, but patches of blue peeking through.


We spent a few hours walking, taking photos and chatting, before grabbing some ice cream at a lake-side hotel and driving back to Austria to watch our daughter compete.


You can rent a boat, and head out to the small chapel on the island in the middle of the lake. We decided to forego that experience in light of our tight schedule, and the amount of tourists that were lined up awaiting passage. I felt satisfied with the view and just enjoyed the absolute serenity of the mountains, water, sky, and people.


Find out more about what to do in Bled here.




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