Ice Skating Without Railings

Right outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan is Medeu, an outdoor ice skating rink that sits at 1,691 meters above sea level, making it the highest altitude skating rink in the world!

It is also the most picturesque ice skating rink I’ve ever seen: Frost-covered evergreens, snow-covered mountains, blue skies, and the sun’s rays softening the otherwise wintry scene. People are ice skating, laughing. Friends are ice skating together, some couples are holding hands, a brother is helping is younger sister learn to stand on the ice. It is a winter wonderland.

But then I realized something that made me a little nervous. Where are the railings?!

No railings could be found and I’m not going to lie- the first lap was ROUGH.

But what’s so scary about falling? After I convinced myself that falling wouldn’t be the worse thing in the world, I managed to be just fine.

Sort of.

Sometimes, I felt I was doing okay.

Other times I felt a bit wobbly. Overall, I’d say I made pretty decent progress on my ice skating skills. However, I don’t think I’ll be ruling the ice anytime soon.

Guess I’ll just stick with the Iron Throne.