Goodbye, Austria

I wrote this the day before I left Austria and realized I never posted it here. So here is probably what will be my last post in my Austria blog. It was fun while it lasted, even if I was horrible with updating frequently.

Goodbye, Austria
So my plane leaves tomorrow morning and I fly back to America. I am completely ecstatic about coming home. I miss my family, my friends, 24 hour stores, and ice in my drinks (that come with free refills!). I complain a lot about Austria, but I usually have good reasons. I have beef with this country. But it hasn't all been bad. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. I would do it a million times over again without hesitation. I've improved my German. I've made some good friends. I've seen things I thought I'd never have the opportunity to see. And so, here is a list.

Things I Like About Austria:

1. The bells. There are about a million and one churches here in town. And they ring their bells several times a day. I love it.

2. Seeing mountains and a castle on my way to class. I mean, how many people are able to do that?

3. Austrian dialect. Yeah, it's pretty insane sometimes. And always good for a laugh.

4. The Altstadt (old city). I love to wander the narrow streets, check out the gorgeous baroque churches. I love the high, narrow houses with dates such as "1436" on the top of them. I like crossing the river and taking in the beauty of the Mirabell Gardens. I love the fountains. I love thinking about all the history and the countless people who have walked the same streets over the centuries. And I love it when the church bells ring while I'm in the Altstadt.

5. The landscape. We don't have mountains where I live at home. I love seeing the mountains everyday.

6. Good beer. Not that water they serve back home that they pass off as beer.

7. Sitting on the river Salzach. It's usually a nice blueish-greenish color. And it always has a cool breeze coming off it. But don't try to swim it.

8. Said river is also known at "Denial" River. Because uh. Of the problems Austria often has with reconciling with the past. Which can all be said in one lovely German word: Vergangenheitsbewältigung.
HA. I love German.

9. "Hitler im Himmel" puppet theater downtown. I mean, really. What the?? Probably the weirdest thing I've seen here.

10. Ice cream stands. GELATO RUN!

11. The chocolate. Milka for the win!

12. The Krampus run near Christmas. SCARIEST. THING. EVER. Look it up.

13. Being fairly centrally located, allowing for the opportunity to travel.

14. Close to Germany. Ok, that's kinda cheating. But I love me some Deutschland.

15. The water. I mean the tap water. Oh, man, is it good. It comes from the mountains. And it is delicious.


So there's a list. I'm sure if I were to make a list of Things I Don't Like About Austria, it would easily be twice as long. So I won't. I don't want to leave here grumpy or ungrateful. Because I am entirely grateful for being able to have this awesome opportunity. I will never regret it.

Goodbye, Salzburg (And Mozart by proxy, naturally). Thanks for the memories.


When my airport van picked me up, we had to pick up a few other people before leaving Salzburg. It seemed like serendipity or something out of a movie because we got to drive through the Altstadt. I was so happy and in some sense relieved that I got to see the beautiful city once more and say my goodbyes. Being 6am, the center of town was deserted and it seemed magical to view it for the last time as if it were just for me. The van crossed the river as we headed towards the highway. As we drove along the Salzach, the sun was rising over the Monchsberg illuminating the Fortress. Tears filled my eyes as I said my final goodbye to the beautiful city of Salzburg. There were many times I wanted nothing more than to simply get out of that town. But at that moment I prayed that I would come back.

Euro 2008

So, 16 of us Americans marooned here in Salzburg made a pool for the Euro 2008 games. It was really simple and just for fun. One euro buy in and the teams are drawn randomly. I ended up with Poland. Uh, go Poland? It could have been worse. I could have ended up with Austria. Poor Austria, you're not gonna win but you are a host country and you still have heart, so good for you! But don't get mad when I laugh at your loss tomorrow.

And it's gonna be weird. But I'm a Germany fan. And guess who they play tomorrow? Yeah, Poland. I'll root for Germany, but also root for Poland because those 16 Euros would be sweet. But I guess in the overall scheme of things, Germany has a better chance of winning over all. So, Go Deutschland!

Also, it's ridiculously fun being in a host city and being able to go downtown and watch the games on the big screen. Even if security makes you check your umbrella. WTF. UMBRELLAS. SO DANGEROUS.

Tomorrow will be fun.

And then the real fun will be the Austria v. Germany game HOMG.

So, yesterday, a friend and I crossed the border to Germany and went to Königsee. We couldn't have had more perfect weather and I was given reason #748 why Germany is superior to Austria:



We had an awesome time (it's always good to get out of Salzburg). We took a boat ride to the different stops, ate lunch in a biergarten, heard a horn echo between the mountains, hiked a bit and didn't break any bones. We both kept expressing how this was probably the most beautiful place we've seen since being in Europe. I got a sunburn and blisters, but it was totally worth it!

PS--The air there smelled fantastic!

The rest of the pictures are in my Flickr.

In other exciting news? 33 days, 16 hours until I fly home!

But I will miss getting to see things like this:

Laura Remembers About this Blog Thing

Hello, faithful (or unfaithful) readers! Please excuse the absence. As you know, I was traveling for a month in February. Then I had tow measly weeks of classes, followed by two more weeks of vacation. Don't ask me how the Austrian school system works, because I couldn't tell you.

I'm not going to write a proper entry on all my vacationing in February, because that would take just too much time. And my fingers would fall off. One of my hands is already going carpel tunnel on me, so you wouldn't want me to exasperate it, now would you? Besides, I spend a lot of time putting all my photos up on Flickr. This includes typing commentary for almost every photo, so you can go there and read all about the adventures. And comment on the photos too!

So, shortly. Mom flew into Munich. After spending the day showing her around Munich (and by showing her around, I generally mean the "Laura's Tour of Nazism in Munich", we headed to Salzburg. I showed her around the town here. It was fun having someone who had never seen the place before, as it helps me remember why I like this place (sometimes it's hard to remember). We climbed the Monchsberg and took an awesome tour of the fortress. Best part was standing on top of the castle and having the best view of Salzburg and the Alps.



Then it was off to Vienna for a few days. I love Vienna, so I had no problem with this. Coolest part for me was dragging Mom out to the huge cemetery where tons of famous people are buried. Check out the Flickr for pics of their graves. Here's a teaser. Your truly and her musical god:


After a few days in gorgeous Vienna, we flew to Rome! I could hardly believe that we were really going there. There was so much to see, that I thing a person would have to go back 3 or 4 times to even have a hope of seeing everything on their list. Mom and I hit up the main sites.

St Peter's Basilica:

Roman Forum (Cradle of Civilization, as our guide put it):

Roman Colosseum:

And much more. Check my Flickr.

We also went to Florence, Naples, and Pompeii. Unfortunately, my Pompeii pictures got deleted accidentally by a friend. :( So who wants to take me back so I can take the pictures again?

Copy of the David at Florence:

We saw the real one in the museum, but weren't allowed to take pictures.
And pretty cathedrals:


So yeah. Unfortunately no Pompeii pics. Pompeii was awesome and something I'd wanted to see since I was about 8 years old. We only spent about 3 hours there, and it definitely wasn't enough. The town is a lot bigger than I thought!

After we returned to Salzburg, Mom and I went up to Munich to pick up my friend Joyce. We did a day trip to the Dachau concentration camp (only 15 km outside Munich).


("Work Will Make You Free")

It was a very well done site. It's a place I would like to visit again because they have an amazing museum that I'd like to spend more time in. The visit was very moving. At times too moving. When I entered the building where they used to register the new prisoners, I got the strangest feeling. It was overwhelming and I almost had to walk out of the building. It was like I couldn't breathe and I was lightheaded, yet felt heavy at the same time. I don't know what it was. If it was the idea that I was really THERE finally setting in, or if it was my weird ability to sometimes pick up on 'things'. Either way, it went away after I moved through that wing of the building.

I said goodbye to mom the next morning. It was hard, knowing that I wouldn't see her for another 4.5 months. But I tried to think on the fun times I still had in Europe. And that included Ireland and England with Joyce!

See all my photos here: Click!

Laura returns

Hey, guys. Anyone still reading? Let me know. It's been a while since I blogged. I've been busy with school (have been having finals the past two weeks). And I also went home for Christmas which was one of the best things to happen to me since I've been in Austria. Ironic, no? And now that I'm going to be away from Salzburg for a month, I figured I should update before people think I completely dropped off the face of the earth. In February I am traveling the first two weeks with Mom to Vienna and Rome. And then the last two weeks my good friend J. is coming and we will be going to Vienna again, and then Ireland (!!!) and London. I'm so excited for this month!

Anyway. Since I'm too lazy to recap the last two months (and nothing much happened except Christmas), here's a list.

THINGS THAT ANNOY ME/SURPRISE ME/PISS ME OFF/ARE WEIRD ABOUT AUSTRIA

1. This place is named Salzburg. Which means "Salt Town". Salt is what made this place rich. Funny that the citizens have not yet discovered the joys of salt. When they have snow and ice, they don't put salt on the sidewalks or streets. Oh, no! They put ROCKS down. Small, gravel sized rocks all over the place. This accomplishes nothing, as it doesn't melt the ice. It doesn't provide much traction, either, which I believe is their intention. No traction. And then when the ice melts and refreezes? Now you just have ice with rocks frozen in it! And now that the snow is all gone, the stones are still there. They stick in your shoes. They get INTO your shoes. The look like crap. And are annoying. And then they have to pay someone to come sweep them all up in the spring. Silly Salzburg.

2. They don't believe in sending you bills. Like, no monthly reminder that you have to pay your insurance this month. No. But they sure as hell believe in sending you a note when you are a week overdue! And then they KEEP sending you notes. Those of us living here have come to the conclusion that the Insurance Company owns stock in the paper company. "Waste all the paper you can! Send out more over due notices!"

4. Which brings me to another point: ONLINE BILL PAY! IT'S A GREAT THING, AUSTRIA! Learn to use it!

5. Cell phones. Minute plans are a great thing too, Austria. Stop with this "Load your phone for 20 Euro and then when it runs out, you're screwed!" Because don't think you can re load your phone online. What were you thinking? I'm convinced I could become a millionaire by introducing the minute plan system.

6. I could also become a millionaire by showing them how to number their rooms in buildings. It took me about 2 months to learn where my classes were. They numbers don't increase with each floor and they are not sequential in a hallway. I really don't understand it. Some even have NEW numbers taped over the real numbers. What?!

7. Austrians rarely look each other in the eye on the street. I had fun the first few weeks by freaking out old people when I smiled at them on the street.

8. You bag your own stuff here. And you pay with cash. Heaven forbid you pull out a card and hold up the line by 20 seconds. People seriously will start to push or call out "What the hell is going on?" No patience, these people.

9. The number of things I have noticed that, had this been America, I could sue over. For example:
-The rocks on the streets. Could fall and break my neck!
-In our dorm, the hallway lights do not stay on. If you want them on or want to go up the spiral staircase at 2am, you have to feel around for a light switch in the pitch dark and hope you don't break your neck or find that ax murderer waiting in the silence.
-Our dryer sparks. So people just don't use it. Why risk electrocution?
-The stores sometimes don't refrigerate eggs OR milk. Weird.

10. Kids. I hate the kids here. They all try to be hard American thugs. But they live in one of the richest cities in Austria and don't even know what a 'ghetto' is. They are rude as anything too. Loud and obnoxious. And they get out of school at 12 noon. So THEY'RE ALWAYS AROUND. I have a special grudge against them because some hooligans threw a water balloon at me from a school window. Nice school discipline, huh?

11. Don't even THINK about expecting your waiter to be polite.

12. Don't get in the way of the bikers. They WILL run you down.

13. So will the cars.

14. Austrians were never Nazis, no. What Second World War?

Ok, that's enough for now. I'll leave you with my most favorite billboard in all of Austria. It's the Austrian National Ski Team advertising...something. I don't even know. Does it matter? It's cute men with Days of the Week underwear!

Thanksgiving, or Laura half fulfills a childhood dream.

Our BGSU program threw a Thanksgiving party for us. It was held at Sternbräu brewery here in Salzburg. All our teachers at university were invited, as well as our room mates and friends. All told, there was probably about 200 people there. Outside of the food, there was supposed to be an entertainment portion. I volunteered to be on this committee, and unfortunately, the girl who was SUPPOSED to head it up, did jack crap. Luckily for our program director, Amber and I saved him the embarrassment of not having a show to put on. Amber and I decided, Hey! We're in Salzburg! The home of The Sound of Music! And none of the Austrians have the foggiest idea what it is! So, we put together a few numbers from the show. We sang The Lonely Goatherd, Edelweiss, and So Long, Farewell. WITH TWO PEOPLE. And it was amazing. Also, we bought dirndls. :D We go all out, I tell you.
The dirndl I bought wasn't really the kind I was looking for; I wanted something more traditional, but the lady selling us them insisted this color looked better on my skin, as did the top. So whatever, it's pretty.

So Amber and I performed in our dirndls. And we were wonderful; I can't tell you how many compliments we got. But what was even better was the feeling of singing Sound of Music (My favorite musical since I was like 6), in Salzburg. On a real stage (albeit small) in dirndls.

Yodeling. Those people int he background are our goatherd, girl, and baby. :) Amber has this on video; hopefully I'll be able to get a hold of it.

After the lovely entertainment, it was time for dinner. The brewery actually did the cooking, aside from the stuffing and pumpkin pie. The turkey wasn't at all like the heaps of the stuff we get a home; it was small turkey medallions. We all knew it wouldn't be fair to compare to home, but we couldn't help talking about our grandma's sweet potato casserole or grandpa's turkey. So the food wasn't what we were hoping, but the pumpkin pie was amazing. It was homemade by the students and our program director's wife. The Austrians didn't really like the pie and were amazed at how much of that stuff we scarfed down. It was GOOD.


I think in this picture you can see why the dirndl lady told us we both needed push-up bras to make them look right. :)

After dinner, we all headed out to our favorite Irish pub for a little celebrating.

All around, a good Thanksgiving. I mean, how can you top singing Maria in Salzburg?
(Take that Lehman High School, I don't need your approval)

Salzburg, the land of Mozart and FREE BEER?!

Two weeks ago (yeah, I'm behind in my blogging), I woke up and opened my door to make the 15 minute stumble to class. And what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a free keg of beer! Just sitting right in the middle of my door. There, all for me. All mine. For free. FREE. BEER.


It was like Santa went a little crazy and gave all of the rooms in the dorm a free keg. Which is exactly what happened. Heineken was doing some sort of promotion and gave every room in our building a free mini keg. Pretty amazing.

Such a thing would never happen in America. The way they view alcohol is so totally different here. I mean, we get FREE KEGS OF BEER, for Pete's sake. We also have Heimbar ("home bar") about once or twice a month down in the lobby of our dorm. Go on down, get a beer for 2 Euro, and then stumble back up to your room, if you so desire (or just sleep on the couch in the lobby like my friend Ben).

But yeah, alcohol is just so different. You can walk around the streets swigging a bottle of wine, if you want. You can get on the bus with it. You can get trashed in your student dorm kitchen. Or you can just have a glass of wine with dinner and friends. You can give your room mate a homemade bottle of Schnapps (like mine did! See Flickr).

Speaking of alcohol. This weekend is the start of Christkindlsmarkt, the open air Christmas markets in Salzburg! Guess who has two thumbs and will be in the old city, hitting up the Glühwein (spiced, warm wine) this weekend?

*points to self* This girl.