Freiburg’s winter wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. The constant cold gnawed at me, turning even a quick dash outside into a battle. But then came the idea – an ice bath! Excitement bubbled up – a chance to truly challenge myself. Yet, Swimming suits weren’t exactly on my Freiburg packing list. So, I opted for the next best thing – my trusty whale shirt, an attempt to pick a winter-appropriate swimwear. Preparation time! I bundled up in extra
layers and grabbed my secret weapon – travel vacuum bags. Stuffing my clothes into these space-saving wonders, I felt a surge of accomplishment (okay, maybe a little weird, but hey, it worked). My friend, clearly impressed by my ingenuity (or maybe just my questionable fashion choices) (also it was actually his idea to go to the river), chuckled and said, “Wow, I really appreciate your dedication in this!” I stammered, “Oh, it’s not that dedicated, but thank you!”
Standing by the river with the icy current swirling, a different feeling crept in – fear. What if the current yanked me under? But the fear couldn’t hold a candle to the thrill. This was going to be brutal, and a part of me revelled in that. Taking a deep breath, I plunged in. A thousand needles seemed to erupt on my skin. My lungs seized, and every muscle screamed in protest. It felt like an eternity in that bone-chilling water.
Then, as quickly as it started, it ended. Emerging, gasping for air, I was a shivering mess. But wait – what was that? A wave of warmth washed over me, chasing away the cold with surprising intensity. My body buzzed with a strange energy, like a thousand tiny needles tingling in reverse.
The initial shock had been brutal, the fear real. But conquering that fear, pushing myself to the limit, that felt amazing. It was a reminder that sometimes the best rewards lie beyond our comfort zones. Sure, winter in Freiburg wasn’t what I expected, but that ice bath? That was pure, exhilarating proof that I could handle anything winter threw my way.
By Salsabila Aufa Nariswari
