I have always loved snow and anything to do with ice. There is something magical about it – maybe it’s the way everything looks like a scene from a fairytale. Like the whole world gets quiet and sparkly for a little while. Funny thing is, I actually don’t like winter. The cold, the layers, the frozen toes—none of that appeals to me. But growing up, I watched every snow-filled fairytale and winter movie I could get my hands on (To be honest I still do 😛). Those dreamy, glittering landscapes with castles, snowflakes, and twirling skaters made me fall in love with the idea of snow. It wasn’t about the chill in the air—it was about the charm, the whimsy, and the feeling that anything was possible when everything was covered in white.
But when it came to trying ice skating, I just didn’t have the guts. I’d watch others skating and think, “That looks fun… and terrifying.”. I always wanted to try it but would always make an excuse to not go. But one fine day, I decided enough was enough. Ah! Who am I kidding? My husband always wanted to try it and we were planning to go on his birthday. So I gave myself a pep talk and decided to try it. So one fine day we finally booked tickets for Paradice Ice Rink, Bremen.
Before I get to the actual skating part, here’s a little about the place itself. Paradice Ice Rink is Bremen’s largest indoor ice surface. It opens for 6 months during winters, from October till March. During this time they host various events like Ice Disco etc. You can buy a day ticket for the rink which is subject to opening hours for 8 Euros from their website. Tickets can be booked anytime but you have to visit within 7 days of booking the tickets. You can also buy tickets at the entry but we decided to book the tickets in advance just to be sure that I don’t back out. You can also rent the skates from their rental shop for 5 Euros per pair.
The day finally came, and of course, it had to be a picture-perfect snowy morning. The kind that’s beautiful in theory but had me wondering if I’d signed up for frostbite. Still, I bundled up, nerves tangled with excitement, and headed to the rink. It was a Wednesday and the rink was open from 4PM till 7PM. Be sure to check the timings for the day you are planning to go. Once we reached there the entry process was very smooth. When I entered the arena—I was hit by the sight of this massive stretch of white ice. It looked even more magical in person. People of all ages were confidently gliding, spinning, and skating with ease—even the tiny kids zipped by like pros. It was beautiful, and honestly, a little intimidating. I felt a mix of excitement and panic bubble up. What if I couldn’t even stand? What if I fell the second I stepped on the ice? But at the same time, a part of me couldn’t wait to try. We directly headed towards the rental shop to get ourselves some skates. There is also a small locker room in which you can keep your bags and other belongings.
Now it was finally time to hit the ice. Let me tell you If you ever want to test your balance, self-esteem, and ability to laugh at yourself all at once—just go ice skating for the first time. As soon as I took the first step on the rink, gravity reminded me who’s boss. I was clutching the railing so tight still I didn’t have the guts to take another step forward and I chickened out. But I didn’t want to let the opportunity slide out of my hands. I took a few deep breaths and as I stood there I noticed that not everyone is gliding effortlessly. There were people slipping, stumbling and laughing their way through it, looking just as unsure as I felt. This gave me a sense of comfort and a boost of confidence. Realizing that I wasn’t alone in this and I wasn’t the only one learning made me a little braver to step on ice once again. And so I went again this time feeling a little more confident and a little less awkward. Holding on to the railing for my dear life, I started moving slowly and completed my first lap. I started to enjoy the experience of learning with each step I took. The nerves began to fade, replaced by a mix of excitement and joy. For a moment, it felt like I was living in one of those movie scenes which I used to love as a kid. I was actually having fun. As I spent more and more time on the ice, I fell more and more in love with it. We spent around two hours on the ice. We had some more time before the closing but we were feeling hungry and wanted to grab a quick bite in the cafe there before heading back.
And that is how a wonderful experience came to an end. I may not have mastered speeds or spins but stayed upright and was able to move without holding onto anything for more than ten seconds.. That counts as progress right?Who knew something that starts off so scary could turn out to be so much fun?
And yes, I’m already thinking about going again—maybe next time without hugging the side the whole way around. Maybe.
TheTorchedSpace 