Slow Day

Today was kind of a break day. We didn't do all that much. Everyone slept in (even me) pretty late, so we didn't really get out until about 11:00 or so. First thing we did after hitting New Town (area on the opposite side of the Salz River) was to find lunch. I hit a stand first for an Apfel Brezel, or apple pretzel, which is like a giant pretzel filled with baked apple. No, that's not right; it was more like a giant apple strudel or apple pastry shaped into a pretzel. It was delicious.

We wandered around New Town's shopping district for a little bit until everyone was hungry (not everyone got a pretzel, and I was still hungry anyways). I don't know what it's called, but we found this little Italian restaurant. Served mainly pizza. Holy smokes. They have the best pizza I've ever tasted. I kid you not. I'm going back there first chance I get (after I find it again). I also got a Coca-Cola in there.

You guys won't believe this, but European Coke is actually different from American Coke. It doesn't have as much carbonation, so it is much smoother tasting. They also use real cane sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup, so it isn't nearly as sweet as American Coke. And it doesn't bother my stomach like American Coke does (because of the carbonation, not the sugar). I had one at lunch today and another at dinner yesterday, and I have to confess something: I'm already addicted. Once I get my novel published, sell the movie rights, and have millions of dollars, I'm getting this stuff imported by the bottle.

Okay, anyway, after lunch, the guys and girls split up. Girls went window shopping while the guys explored the city. The five of us wound up heading way outside the commercial district, deep into the residential areas. Then we headed East, into the business district (I think), before finding the railroad tracks and then (eventually) making our way to the river. But we were never lost! (we just weren't always sure where exactly we were).

Before we got back to Haus Wartenburg, Mrs. Berlin (yes, that is her real name) called us to let us know about a street fair up the block from the Haus.

It was kind of interesting, with mostly food stalls (which didn't interest me much since I was still full from the pizza), and a few shopping stalls too (which didn't interest me since I'd blown most of my daily budget on the pretzel and pizza). One thing that was pretty cool - this is for you, Timbo - was that the Salzburg Youth Unicycle Club (yes, you did read that correctly) was putting on a demo.





Pretty cool, I guess.

So, after that, pretty much everyone besides me decided that they needed a nap. Everyone didn't get up again until about 7:00, when we went out for dinner. We went back to the Steigl Brewery, since there's also a pretty decent restaurant there. I had minced veal cutlet in some sort of sauce and potato salad.

Amanda, you asked how the food was. Let me tell you, it is absolutely incredible. I've been here for five days now, and I have not yet touched anything that I didn't think was delicious. Heck with importing Eruo Coke; I might just move out here after I graduate!

So, now, everyone else is out at a nightclub. I passed. Dancing's never really appealed to me, and I don't really drink (tried my first beer at Stiegl yesterday and hated it). That, and we didn't know the club (it was recommended by someone on staff here at Haus Wartenberg), it wasn't within walking distance, and we don't really know that area of the city or the language very well. Yeah, I'm paranoid, I know. Sue me.

So while they're all out clubbing (or whatever the expression is), I've gotten a few requests to post pictures of yesterday's adventures. The ones from the zoo aren't very good, but I'll see what I can dig up.









Like I said yesterday, I didn't take many pics of Stiegl since there really wasn't much worth seeing, but I've got one or two I think are okay.



This is the outside of the brewery.



This is a replica of the distilling tanks (not sure what the exact technical term is.)



And this is the largest "Beer Castle" in the world. Something like 350 bottles altogether, representing each of the different brands of beer brewed in Austria.

I'mot sure what our plans are for tomorrow. Some of us might be heading over to Linz, a nearby city. Most of us are probably going to sleep in again, since they aren't planning on getting back until midnight at the absolute earliest. And then again, classes start Monday (ugh), so we might just want to relax and not do anything. But if we do do something, I'll be sure to let y'all know about it.

Peace,

-Raptor

Um den Zoo und die Brauerei

Today was, surprisingly, kind of slow. Well, compared to the last couple of days anyway.

First, we went to the Salzburg Zoo. That was kind of interesting, because it was built right at the edge of a very, very, very tall rock wall, so rather than have a seperate avian habitat, they've set it up so that the birds next right on the cliff face.

Despite previous plans to the contrary, I wound up taking a ton of pictures there. Don't really know if y'all want to see them, though, as there really wasn't anything special (seen one zoo, seen 'em all kind of deal).

After that, we went to the Stiegl Brewery, which is a world-famous brewery in Salzburg. There was a museum in the complex, which turned out to be something of a disappointment. We were under the impression that the "museum" was actually a tour of the brewery and would show the brewing process. Instead, it was just a history of the Stiegl brand. There also wasn't much too it, so I didn't take that many pictures. None of them are really interesting, but I can post something if you'd like (comment if you do).

Once dinner was over, the group hung around Haus Wartenburg for a little while, then we decided to go look for a coffee shop that was open late. We didn't find it. And it started pouring. So, while they all went to try and stay dry at an Irish Pub (yes there is one in Salzburg), Jesse and I decided to head back. While the pub scene isn't really my thing, I kinda wish I'd stayed with the main group: I got soaked to the bone.

So, now, I'm wet and very tired, so I'm gonna call it a night.

Peace,

-Raptor

Two Days In, Part II

Okay, as promised, here's pics of what I did today.

First, we went to the Untersburg, which is a nearby mountain. Took a cable car up to near the top...



...and then hiked to the summit.

The view from up there, predictably, was spectacular.







That's part of the group. Back to front, we have Mike (black T-shirt), George (gray T-shirt), Alecks (the really tall guy), Jaime (white T-shirt) and Emily (purple-ish hoodie). I, of course, am behind the camera.

Okay, anyway, took us about 40 minutes to reach the summit (since we're all really out of shape.) Here's what that looked like:





Apparently, it's tradition for Austrians & Germans to place crosses on mountain peaks, much like people put flags on mountain summits here.

There was also a memorial on the mountain for all the Austrian soldiers killed in both world wars.



It says:
ICH GIBST NICHT MEHR
ALS IHR GEGEBEN
EUER TOD
IST UNSER LEBEN

Now, I don't really speak German that well, so nears as I can make out, that translates to "They are no longer, as they gave their deaths for our lives." Anyone who knows better German, can you give me a more correct translation? Thanks.


So, after Untersberg, we went back to Salzburg and took a boat tour down the Salz River. No pics, because I was sitting in the center of the boat and couldn't get any good shots. THe tour was kinda boring anyway, so you're not missing much.

So, yeah, got a planning session for what we're doing tomorrow starting soon, so I gotta run.

Peace,

-Raptor

Two Days In, Having a Blast!

Hey, everyone. Sorry that there was no post yesterday. We went from literally sun-up to sun-down, and by the time it was all said and done, I was too zonked to remember to post. I did remember to take pictures though.

The first thing we did yesterday, after getting ourselves oriented, was to visit the Salzburg Museum.



As you can probably figure out from the name, it's a museum that chronicles the history of Salzburg, which actually goes back several hundred years: Salzburg was a wealthy city-state and then an independent province before being absorbed into the Austria-Hungarian Empire in the mid 1700s.

We spent about an hour or so in the museum, following a guided audio tour. Here are some pictures of some of the exhibits:









After that, we went to one of the two Mozart Museums in the city. Specifically, we went to the house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and raised. No pictures of the interior, as they didn't let you take cameras inside, but I did get a picture of the outside...



...as well as a picture of Mozart's statue in the city square.



Next, we went to the big fortress that overlooks the city. Sadly, the name of said fort escapes me. Sorry.



We took a funicular railway up to the top (didn't get any pics, sorry), spent about an hour and a half up there, and then hiked back down to the city. Man, the views up there are spectacular!





After visiting the fort, we went to Schloss Hellbrunn, which, despite the ominous-sounding name, is actually a pleasure-palace designed by one of the Prince-Archbishops who ruled Salzburg back in the mid-1600s. Again, no pictures, because the entire area is rigged with water traps; a whole bunch of little nozzles that spray water at guests. Needless to say, I didn't want to wreck my camera on my first day in, but a few of my friends took pics. I'll have to borrow one of their memory cards.

Anyway, that was my first full day in Salzburg. I had a real blast.

I'll post pics of what I did to day later on. Until then, peace.

Thanks also for your prayers during my travels.

-Raptor

PS. Amanda, I did get your message. Thanks very much for the call. Unfortunately, I couldn't call you back because, stupidly, I didn't pack my cell-phone charger and needed the phone to be charged in case of an emergency. So sorry!

Also, including Prof. Berlin, his wife, and Dr. Guentzel, there are 13 of us. Perfect size, actually; we can go out sightseeing together without having to split up or clogging up any of the sights with our presence (as about three foreign tour groups, each numbering 20+ did in both museums and the Fortress).

Made it!

I'm here, in Salzburg, in Haus Wartenburg, all jet-lagged to heck and gone.

No pics today, since I was to zonked to take my camera with me when we explored the city. Actually, I was so screwed up from the flights (there were three) that I just slept while everyone else explored the city for the first time.

Anyway, gonna be a big day tomorrow, checking out some of the sights. I promise to take my camera with me, so there should be plenty of pics to put up.

So, just wanted everyone to know I made it okay. Keep the group in your prayers as we adjust to being in this foreign land.

-Raptor