Val di non sole

On Sunday morning I started my journey back to Europe for World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy.  As I was walking to my seat on the flight to Munich I saw the fattest guy I have ever seen.  I mean this guy was huge, easily pushing 400 lbs.  The momentary laughter at the poor sucker who had to sit next to this guy died about the same time that I realized that I was that sucker; Rob laughed harder.  I sat in the window seat and quickly put my armrest down in an attempted to protect my fragile personal bubble from his monstrous girth.  The little armrest strained and creaked as it was overwhelmed and forced towards me.  His seat belt, even with the extender extended to the max, was unable to contain him.  The only thing that was finally able to reign in his width was the seat in front of him.  I was curled up next to the side of the plane completely hidden from view for the next ten hours.  It was a long flight.

I finally arrived in Val di Sole yesterday after a 6-hour bus ride from Munich.  I have no idea as to why we flew into Munich.  Both Milan and Venice are much closer, however this place is unreal.  There are huge jugged peaks towering above on all sides, unfortunately they are currently covered in clouds.  I rode up this amazing pass that was right here.  15 Switchbacks and two hours later, Schultz and I found ourselves in the base of a gigantic cirque, and in the driveway of this Italian rancher.  He was pretty cool and talked to us a little bit and we responded in broken Italian and and hand gestures.  There are some really big name passes, like stavia, that I will try to do on Saturday and Sunday.  For now I am off to the pasticceria for some amazing Italian treats.