Category: Austria

This morning, Daniela and I took a drive out to the countryside again, but this time to a village called Hallstatt, situated between the mountains. The weather was again so perfect, and the scenery, of course gorgeous. The green grass, the flowers in all the windowsills of the houses built from wood, and little roads curving throughout the hills really will always be my memories of Austria. This village was so cool though, and it had a cemetery that is quite unique. The people who had died, signed up to be placed in this ossuary… so you’re buried, and they wait until only bones are left. They then take the bones and place them in this room, decorating your skull with your name, date of death and flowers or crosses.

On the way home from here, we stopped off at these other villages along the way, and one place we stopped particularly for its dessert. This dessert is a famous dessert for Austria and is only made at this one place. It was quite expensive for a little tiny piece, but it was the most interesting dessert I have ever had, and for those of you who know me, you know I have tried SEVERAL desserts in my day.. =)

So, back to the dorm we went and had spaghetti for dinner. It will be a little sad to move on because I have really enjoyed the people I have met here! But, such is the life of a globetrotter*

Today, Daniela, Verena, and Dorni all had to work during the afternoon, so Ginchen (a friend from the dorms) and I went for a nice long bike ride. We went first to a flea market where Ginchen had found some things she had wanted to buy. Then we were off to the grocery store to buy sandwiches for a lunch in the park at Hellrunn, where there is a little castle that was constructed in one month! That should tell you though how big the castle was. We then headed to Hallein to GelatoK, an AMAZING place for ice cream.. Just to give you and idea, the most expensive ice cream on the menu was the Königschale (Kings scoop) for a mere ¬ 37.95 = $~30. This thing was huge, and could feed about 10 people! Needless to say, I opted for a smaller version for just ¬ 1.50, but it was sooooo good! We then rode our bikes home and met up with Daniela and Verena. This weather is sooooo great! Shorts, short-sleeve shirts and sunglasses are the only things necessary!

So last night, we packed up the car and headed toward Daniela’s parents house in Eberschwang. It is a tiny little village located east of Salzburg and a little north. Anyhow, the night was very fun because we went to a place to have a traditional Austrian dinner. Here at this restaurant, well if I could call it a restaurant, was a house, and we were the diners for the evening, along with some other drunk Austrian men hitting on the ladies sitting at the table next to ours. Anyhow, what is so traditional about this restaurant is not only that all the food prepared is handmade, even the bread they serve, but it is all cold served. So, I got a huge plate of all these sausages and meats with bread. It was really good, but it was too much. After the dinner, we headed to a bar for a while to hang out. After that bar, we went to another, one owned by Daniela’s ex boyfriend. It was a nicer, smaller place. Anyhow, enough talk about bar hopping in Austria, the next morning, we spent the day at the parents house. It is a huge house that they built themselves in 1972. It was really cool, and the bed was sooo nice. That morning after breakfast, I went with Daniela’s dad around the town for a walk, and to watch a music fest of traditional music and costume. For some reason, they were having it as a festival, and I got to see all the traditional dress and listen to the music. That afternoon, we had a huge barbecue with steaks, my favorite käsekrainer, salads, potatoes, and juice. It felt like I had been eating for hours but it was sooo good! After the barbecue, we hung out, Dorni and Verena practiced their juggling with the bowling pins because they have to go volunteer at an elementary school tomorrow. They will be teaching the kids how to juggle. Anyhow, I was very impressed by their talent. I was also part of the -act- today because they needed to -practice- on me. I held a stick in my mouth, and they juggled around me, and got closer and closer to the stick. Eventually the stick was knocked out of my mouth, and I was set free =) So, the afternoon quickly left, and we packed the car and headed back to Salzburg.

Today, Daniela, Verena and I set off in the morning to see the old hideout of Hitler in the hills of Berchtesgarten. We paid $12 which was a complete rip off for this bus that took us to the top of the mountain, and from there we could either hike up the rest of the mountain to the Eagle’s Nest or take a huge elevator up to the top. The weather was completely awesome, so we decided to hike the way up. You would not believe these views, as they were sights I had never seen before. The massive mountain tops with snow covered cliffs and the green trees toward the bottom really made this trip a picturesque memory. Unfortunately, the Eagle’s Nest is really just a nice place that you can sit down and eat with obviously an amazing view of the mountains and lands below. There was absolutely no museum within his house. After we descended the mountain we walked over to a museum that was more about the history and stuff about this time during the war, and Hitler’s rule. It was really interesting because it had a lot of film and pictures from the Holocaust and details about some of the ideas behind Hitler that I don’t think are always completely explained in books. Anyhow the entire day was a really cool event with the mountain fresh air and the amazing views, I would definitely put this site in a things-to-see list.

Today, I met one of Daniela’s friends, Daniela, yes I know it’s confusing, but anyhow, we all went together for a hike up this mountain. It’s in the same area where the Sound of Music was filmed, so I am sure you can imagine how beautiful it was. I think also that I couldn’t have had more perfect weather for the hike… the sun and the temperature was absolutely awesome! The only bad thing was I have allergies?! My nose was running, sneezing, and having a fit, I guess I can’t handle all this clean air! Anyhow, the hike was great, and we’re relaxing the rest of the afternoon. Actually Daniela has to work at this dinner, so me and Dorni (Daniela’s sister’s boyfriend) and I are going to hang out and go to a party.

Today we had perfect weather… we went this morning on a long bike ride to the center of Salzburg to see the castle, and all the sights. We went to Mozart’s birth house, and his regular house after he moved. It was really interesting. We also ate at a really nice café and I had my first Bosner.. it’s just really like a hot dog, but it had curry spices and mustard..

Anyhow, we had a great day walking around the town and catching up. I am thinking about staying here a little longer than planned since there’s so much we can do..skiing, Hitler’s hideout, Daniela’s house in the countryside, hiking etc..

From the window, as I was arriving in Salzburg Hbf, I saw Daniela as we arrived! We met up and had some lunch–I was starving, and we drove to her apartment about 20 minutes away. It was raining, so you really couldn’t see the mountains nearby. That afternoon, we hung out and I met her sister and all her friends. Everyone is so nice and I like it here so much. That night about 10 of us had a huge barbecue with steaks, sausages, potatoes, salads, and it was really fun. I went to bed early though cause of how exhausting the day was.