Reach out and ... ?

This year has already proven to be one of the best yet - for me.

I am in awe and thanking every star and knocking on wood every chance I get.
After the year I've just been through, I feel especially grateful.

And I was thinking the other day about journaling about how much fun I am having speaking understandable German and being understood ... journal about getting orthotics for my shoes that in America cost me $500 for 24 euro here ... and a funny, funny day rodeln with my Innsbruck expats/locals group and while speeding down a snowy steep trail (in a snow storm) whizzing by my good Italian friend Patrizia on her rodel - talking to her mom on her cell phone! The last time I saw anything that crazy was while running the Rome, Italy marathon. At mile 12 an Italian man ran past me while casually and not out of breath I might add, talking on his cell phone.
I was preparing myself for a Italian cell phone blog....

But then while on my bike heading to see my bone doctor - I had this experience that I decided outweighed everything I thought I wanted to say.

I was riding down a one-way street - but really crawling with my leg out pushing myself along - and on the sidewalk.
Now I know this sounds dangerous but I assure you I was practically walking it.
And this 2 minute detour saved me about 15 minutes on a day I could not be late. Being even minutes late in Austria for a doctors appointment means you wait another hour.

Ahead of me, was an elderly women with her back turned, looking in a window.

I was very aware of her and slowed down almost to a stop and if it weren't for the bike seat I was "sitting" on, I was almost technically walking.

When she turned around I had a feeling a dirty look might be coming my way.
So I prepared myself.

And then as I neared closer, I realized not only a scowl was coming but a good old fashioned Tyrolean lashing.

Not only did she scowl and yell but in a matter of seconds as I began to pass, her arm reached out and in one instant, I was officially pushed over by an old lady off my bike.

She was yelling German and pointing her finger, hitting my arm - poking me to the point I am bruised. No kidding.

And I am pulling myself together and despite being completely and utterly in shock, amazingly, I carried on.

I didn't tremble or cry or get all disoriented as I might have say maybe somewhere in America if anything like this had happened.

Because you see, there is something about Tyroleans and rules.
They are very dead set against their rules and people following them. And for whatever reason, they feel they have some sort of civic duty but more often than not, self duty to make sure every last person is following every, single rule to a T.

And if you are not?
You get pointed at, scowled at and pushed over. Period.

So despite finding a happiness here that I think will keep me in Tyrol longer than any land has ever been ever to hold me, I will always have a little place in my heart and surprisingly let out a little giggle - for the little old ladies that feel the need to reach out and push someone.