A Slippery Weekend in Salzburg

So two weeks ago now, four people from my program and I decided to take advantage of a free weekend and a pretty wonderful train pass, and spend the weekend in Salzburg, Austria, known mostly for the Sound of Music and Mozart. The train pass we bought is called the Bayern pass, and for thirty euros up to five people have unlimited travel for a day around Bavaria (and to Salzburg). Splitting this pass meant that out total cost of transportation to and from Salzburg was only twelve euros. Fantastisch!

In Salzburg we stayed in a hostel that had the benefit of being right on the edge of the Altstadt and in walking distance of everything, and of playing the Sound of Music every night for free. Friday night, after a lovely dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant, we took full advantage of the movie, as Erwin, Heather, and I were going on "The Most Unique Sound of Music Tour" the next day, complete with a complementary Edelweiss cocktail.

Friday morning we woke up in time to leave (at 8:30!) for said four-hour tour, and when we looked out the window during breakfast we saw that it was snowing the most perfect snow imaginable. There was nothing that could have been more perfect in my mind, if it was already going to be cold and cloudy (which in February would be impossible to avoid). The snow was story-book snow, and the perfect complement to my visiting places that comprised an extremely large portion of my childhood and my childhood view of love. On the tour we saw the infamous gazebo, the abby the nuns live in, the lake and patio in front of the von trapp's house, the house that was the outside of the von trapp's house, and the church where the wedding scene between maria and the captain took place. My favourite part of the tour by far, however, was when we went to Mondsee, which is a town sentered around der Mondsee (Lake Moon). That was the town where the church was, and it's in the lake region outside of Salzburg where the opening scenes from the movie were shot. I can't wait to go back in the spring and have picnics at the beautiful lakes. Right as we were leaving a little cafe (where Heather and I split some DELICIOUS apple strudel, and she, Erwin, and I spoke in very terrible and awkward German with our adorable Austrian guide), the storybook snow began. I have never been happier. Well, that's not true, but it's up there. It was just so perfect and wonderful.

That afternoon we went to Mozarts Geburtshaus, the Dom and St. Peter's, and tried to go up to the fortress, only to find out that it had closed for the day. So instead we had hot chocolate and cakes in an adorable three-hundred-year-old cafe. That night, for Valentine's Day, we went to a baroque ballroom and listened to a four-string quartet play Mozart. It was amazing. I have rarely seen that much gold in one space, outside of the Vatican. I just kept imagining all the people in their fancy dresses that had been there before, and all the time Mozart would have been played there. It was absolutely wonderful.

Sunday morning we checked out of the hostel and then finally made it up to the fortress. The fortress was incredible. I love fortresses because they're like castles! This one had such amazing views of Salzburg and the Alps. It was absolutely gorgeous gorgeous. And while it was a bit nippy and cold, it was worth it to see the old architecture and the beautiful views. All in all, a great way to end a very successful trip. The only issue was my inability to stay on my feet, what with all the snow and not-very-worn-in boots. Ah, well. A large headache was worth the beauty of the city and the snow.

So tomorrow will be Berlin. Tonight I must finish Twilight or Heather will kill me for stealing all the books she wants to read. I also have to finish putting up pictures, now that I finally have them! My walls are still blank and I miss my friends.

Mein Haar

On another note, my hair has faded to that terrible red colour that just looks too light and terribly unnatural. I am debating buying some hair-dye and fixing it myself, but judging by the extreme difficulties in purchasing something as simple as laundry detergent, that might be dangerous. I may have to go to a salon and have it dyed just dark brown. I'm done with this red thing. Ew.

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen?

So today was a really good day. We only had one class, followed by the most ridiculous movie that was only 90 minutes long, meaning we got out around noon. I had the longest workout I've had here, and combined with a 25 minute walk both to and from school (due to bus strikes again), I was feeling really great. I got home and managed for the first time in weeks to be extremely productive with my schoolwork (on a Friday afternoon!), and had plenty of time to read Twilight (yes, I've caved and may be on book four). 

The best part of my afternoon (or evening, really), however, was when I went to make dinner and ran into my Moroccan Mitbewohner. He's really nice, but after a week or so of asking me wie geht's, and me being unable to continue on a conversation he sort of gave up and we live together (everyone else is on their two month break) but don't really talk. But when I got home today we said hello, and he and he asked me in halting English, how are you? Then I felt bad, and replied a little in German but not much. While making dinner, however, we had an actual conversation! He always has a friend here who also can't go home during the vacation, and I got to talk to both of them in German! I carried on a conversation in German! It wasn't very smart or anything, but it's way more than I've been able to do since I got here and that made me feel good. Maybe it was all the vocab I had just finished studying, but it seemed to come easily enough. And they cleared a shelf in the kitchen for me! I've been cramming all my food into this little space on one shelf where there really isn't room, but now I have my own space! It made me really happy. Also, they asked if I was a vegetarian (how they knew this I know not), and when I said yes were disappointed because they had wanted me to try their Moroccan food that they're always cooking, but apparently Moroccan food doesn't exist without meat. It was so nice!

That night, after a nap I was feeling a little better and wanted to go out. We went first to this really cool bar, and then to a hookah bar. It was really somewhat sketchy, but walking in with five people made it better. Most of the rest of the group joined us later, and it was really nice to all sit around talking. I really like the social setting during hookah, because everyone's relaxed and it's just a really nice way to spend time. Then Leigh and I left in time to catch the last bus home (after a quick stop for french fries at Mcdonalds), and now I can go to bed relatively early, without paying for a cab! I do still feel a little sick now and have all afternoon/night, but I think that's just major lack of sleep from Berlin, and really the whole time I've been here. I need to eat less and sleep more and I think my body would be happier. Because of that the Salzburg and Berlin summaries that I promised will have to come tomorrow, not tonight.

I'm lazy

So I realize I've been absolutely abysmally terrible at updating this, and I promise this will change. Tomorrow. I will give updates on trips to Salzburg, Berlin, and around Regensburg. I will explain things that are happening, what I'm up to soon, everything you would want to know. I promise. But again, tomorrow. Tonight I have a date with some flashcards and reading Twilight.

Two fun things of note:

Ausflippen and auschecken are actual verbs in german. They mean to flip out and to check out respectively. I love this language.

So we just found out that the busses will probably be on strike tomorrow, meaning we either have to walk to school or pay for a cab. Meaning I will be walking unless an agreement is reached quickly (tonight). It's the middle of exams for German students, and quite cold here, so it's actually a really smart time for the busdrivers to choose to strike, but incredibly frustrating for those of us who have to get to Uni.

Last night I went to the  movies in German, which was an experience. It was actually really easy to understand, because we went to see Twilight, and I may have just finished the first book so I already knew the plot. Also, the dialogue was obviously extremely simple, which helped. It was surprisingly fun, though. It was like seeing Superman Returns in Spanish when I was in Spain. Movies that would be terrible in English are much better in a foreign language. I enjoyed myself thoroughly.