St.Wolfgang & the AUG

In my room after a long day of sightseeing!

"Today was a full day dedicated to touring Austria. We took a bus from town to the most quaint city, St. Wolfgang (w’s in German are pronounced with the v sound) and I could not take enough pictures! The city (well town is a better word for it) sits right on a gorgeous lake, water that reminded me of movies set in Greece. Every single house had window boxes overflowing with flowers and entire walls covered in sprawling ivy. A lot of the houses here use dark green as an accent color which I found interesting and very cool. We got to the town a little later than expected because half an hour into our drive a radiator pipe burst and started smoking. Jim and Ava took us into a café to get something to drink while we waited for a new bus. This was a prime opportunity for us to use our new vocab, “Grub gott” and “danka” while ordering green tea J

When we finally got off the bus Ava took us into one of the oldest gothic churches in Austria. She went into details about Wolfgang ans the legends that make up his past. Churches have always been interesting to me and this one was unlike any I had ever seen. It was so intricate and the ceilings were hand painted, dating back to 2,000 years ago. Such a time seems inconceivable, I was in a constant state of awe. Locals were walking in, lighting candles and saying prayers and I just stood there and watched. A family of three, the little girl being dragged by her parents chanting the German word for candy; an older couple looking sober and serious, their “goodness” so apparent I didn’t even have to hear them speak to know they were just good people. I took pictures of two of the altars so I could look back and remember, but I know they won’t do them justice.

Souvenir shopping and exploring the town I WANT TO HONEYMOON AT!!!! Filled the rest of our day. I got two postcards. Instead of taking the bus back we boarded a gorgeous boat that took us to the other side of the lake. I didn’t want the day to ever end!!

PS: ate schnitzel for the first time last night! Mystery meat to the extremmeeeee."

Sunday morning, hangover.

"I am lying in bed staring out at the green wonderland that sits at the edge of our backyard. It is just past noon and I am the only one awake out of my roomies. Our first Sunday, our first real morning to sleep in!

We went out last night, first big night doing SALZBURG and it was eventful! We started at the AUG which is kinda like the towns local watering hole for beer and socializing. We “American” girls show up in “going out” clothes aka dresses and to say we stuck out would be an understantement. HA. The whole concept behind the Aug is community; a place to go after work with friends for a beer. You don't need to spend a long time here to figure out how close-knit relationships between people are paramount. How the AUG works: You go up to the counter, order either a liter or half liter, then grab your “stein” or mug from the shelf, rinse it in cold water so your beer stays cold, and take it up to the man at the keg where he fills it up past the rim and spills it everywhere.

I thought by now one of my roomie would be up to start breakfast with me, but they are still dreaming so I can write more J Obviously we got in late if it is past noon and we are all still in our beds. I was the first one to make it to our room sometime around 2:30am I think. With that said, the Aug was definitely not our final stop last night.

After a few “steins” (which was only E 5.80!) we walked (FAR AND IN THE COLD!!) to O’Malley’s where a lot of people in the group ended up at. It was a Saturday night so it was packed and even though a table was hard to find I liked taking in the culture and watching the locals interact. There was a bachelorette party that came in dressed in white coats as nurses and they were hilarious!! There were at least 20 of them and they were so cute. They like working on their English so they tried talking to us and giggled when we kept saying “Grub gott” and “prost!!” (which means cheers!)

LJ and I met this Austrain, Lucas, SO funny. He loved us. & bought us each a drink. We were very appreciative and made conversation but we knew we had to get out quick because we are fast learners and know how Europeans like Californiaaiaiaa girls…. oh boy.

Off to wake these chickes up and make breakfast (well I guess lunch) from groceries we bought yesterday; eggs, yogurt, and toast. I should have written about our first experience in a German grocery store. Simply put, I feel as though I could have dealt with ten Lucas’s better than we shopped."

-------just got to do a little catching up on the family and saw pictures of Meg and Austin ready for their first day of school! WOW! Austin you're growing up too fast. And the picture of hank missing me.... i miss him too!! He already looks bigger (if that's even possible)!! I miss all you guys to the moon and back... Mom: keep your updates as least sentimental as possible, I get sad over here easily at the thought of how long it will be until I see you guys!! ok? For some reason I try and post comments but it won't let me... I'll try and figure it out. xxoo♥