Another Country

Last weekend I had the privilege of going home with Sarah, one of my closest friends here in Austria. She lives in a small town in Upper Austria (one of the states of Austria) really close to the German border. We planned it a few weeks ago, and I had been anticipating it ever since.

We left on the train to Salzburg on Friday afternoon and then made the nearly 3 hour journey southwest. The train ride was lovely, except that I upon entering the train, I had to traipse all over trying to find where Sarah was sitting because someone didn't tell me we weren't going to meet at the station and then board the train together, but then I guess the other someone didn't feel the need to clarify that point. So no one can really be blamed. Regardless, she had staked out great seats for us, so I was happy. We got to Salzburg where her dad was waiting to pick us up and drive us to the house. I must say, it felt great to drive along country roads looking at fields blanketed in snow with mountains on either side. The snow was beautiful and made everything so bright. I even put my sunglasses on!

When we got to her house, I met her mother and we sat down and enjoyed a warm cup of coffee and conversation. This was really only the second time I've been to a friend's house whose family is 100% Austrian, so I was excited to be there. We eventually had supper and then went out for the evening to hear her dad's choir perform in a concert/skit. It is currently Fasching, which is the carnival/party season in many German speaking countries that leads up to Ash Wednesday. Basically Mardi Gras, I suppose. Anyway, so this performance was in the Fasching spirit; all the men were dressed in fun costumes and they performed skits and told lots of jokes. Even though I could hardly understand a lot of what they were saying, I got enough of it to really enjoy it and have several hearty laughs.

Sarah and I left during the intermission, and walked to Germany. Yep, we walked.

So the white building I circled in red is where the performance was. Then, if you follow the red line, that's where we walked down to and across the border into the Bavarian town of Burghausen. Welcome to  Germany :)

Of course I had to stop on the way and take a photo of the castle by night. So pretty and romantic :)

The Free State of Bavaria

It was slippery walking down that road at night, but there was a railing. We walked around a bit in the "old town" and eventually found a quaint pub to stop in a for a drink. I soon noticed that there weren't any ashtrays on the tables; then Sarah pointed out that people had been going outside to smoke. How awesome; I give you major props, Germany. I wish Austria was like that- non-smoking dining establishments. It was nice not leaving a pub and smelling like an ashtray. Anyway, I got a quick taste of the town and then we were picked up and taken back to the house.

On Saturday morning, we had brunch and then got ready to go back to Burghausen. However, this time we were headed to the "new town" to walk around the castle and do some shopping!. And again, the snow was so bright and beautiful I had to shade my eyes. Sunglasses really do come in handy in the winter. The views from the castle grounds were incredible. You could see the old part of town and back over the Salzach river, which is like no-man's land, and into Austria again...

Looking into Bavaria

On the castle grounds 

:)

We walked across the bridge right down the middle Friday night

The coat of arms for the castle portrays a lion and a swan.

Sarah's cherry (the twin of my cherry) made the journey with us. 

Over in the new town, the German flag, the European flag, and the Bavarian flag.

It was relaxing walking around the castle and then stopping in some of the shops as well. I bought a few things to commemorate the visit, and then we got tired and her dad came and picked us up again. We were off to our next destination: Grandma's house for coffee and cake. She lives on a real Austrian farm with deer in the back yard and everything. I was told that I need to come back in May to see the wee Bambis ;) Anyway, we visited with her grandma and her aunt and uncle. Since her grandma cannot really understand English, I spoke mainly in German the rest of the afternoon. It was actually really fun, and I did a pretty decent job. I talked about where I'm from and told them about what it's like being an au pair and things like that. I felt rather accomplished being able to carry on a full conversation in German in which I was the main speaker! Her family was so sweet and welcoming, and I really hope I get to go back in May and see the baby deer and maybe even drive a tractor, at least that's what Sarah wants me to try next!

We then headed back to Sarah's house. Her parents went out for the evening, and we made supper and had a relaxing girl's night in. Snacks, chick flick, chick chat...the whole bit! After walking around outside in the cold for a lot of the afternoon, we were surprisingly tired and went to bed earlier than normal, but whatever. On Sunday, her mom put together two little snack packs for us for on the train, and then her dad taxied us back to Salzburg to catch the train. It was such a fun weekend away, and I loved meeting so much of her family! The scenery was absolutely amazing too. Driving back to Salzburg, I was looking at the mountains outside my window and felt totally in awe. The slight mist and fog made it seem like they were just hiding there behind a curtain waiting to pop out at you! It was really pretty, but that's also another reason I want to visit that area again- so see the mountains in clear weather. Nonetheless, I do love the seasons, and I'm glad I got to see them in this one.

We were greeted with snow upon our return to Vienna as well,  but it wasn't as pretty as the snow we'd just left. I cannot believe it's the middle of February already; it feels like yesterday was the first of January! Time is really flying now..

Until the next time,

~Sarah

A Little Passed Halfway

I cannot believe I have already been here five months and that my time here is half over. There are some weeks when I feel like time is flying by, and there are others when I feel like I'm at a standstill. Regardless, I'm excited for what the next five months have in store, warmer weather being one. However, so far the winter has been pretty mild compared to what I'm used to. There has been a lot less snow and I feel like it hasn't been as cold either, but we'll see what the next few weeks bring. It happens to be Groundhog Day today too- I wonder if Punxsutawney Phil's forecast is good for more than the good 'ol US of A...?  Right. Enough about the weather.

We've been dealing with a bit of sickness in the house recently, which isn't quite over yet. It's better, but   now it's making its way around the next victim(s). Since Kristina was one of the recent sickies, I was mainly taking after Elena this week. Usually when I only have one of the girls, it's Kristina, so this was a bit of a change. Sisters are funny. The relationship between two is beautiful, but when I get to interact with only one of them, I see and learn so much about the one without the other getting in the way. Elena likes to talk and she likes to listen, and so we did a good bit of that this week. And went we weren't talking, it was comfortable just being with her. One day she did a good bit of knitting on the scarf she's making herself while I read The Secret Garden to her; I even continued reading for a bit while she was in the bathtub, it's that enchanting.
On another day, we went shopping for a bit to pick out her dad a birthday present, which was so so sweet. We stopped at a little cafe to have a snack, and she looked so grown up and mature sitting there across from me. There was no one in the cafe when we got there, but as soon as we sat down with our pastries, a few other people came in.Eventually the place was half full. That reminded me of what commonly happens to my family and I when we go out to dinner back home: Usually there's hardly anyone in the place, but as soon as we get there, all the people come. We always joke that we bring the restaurants all their business. I told Elena this; she smiled and laughed and said that we need to start going there everyday so that the cafe will have lots of business. Oh, how I wish we could go there everyday! When we came home, we both got out our books and went into the living room and got cozy on the couch. We informed each other every time we reached a new chapter. Starting a new book, she said, "Chapter 1!" and I replied with, "Chapter 31!" She's always really interested in the books I'm reading. At that time, I was almost finished with  The Help, and so I explained the story to her a bit. I think she'll enjoy the story one day when she's a bit older. Ahh...It was such a lovely day together.
Then on Thursday, I attended one of her piano concerts for the first time. I've heard her play the songs over and over again at home, but actually seeing her really perform was really special. She and her partner performed two duet pieces beautifully. They are both so extremely talented! The songs she's playing are quite challenging and she plays them so well!

It's been a good busy few weeks, and so I am very grateful for the break that lies ahead this coming week. The end of the first semester was Friday, so the girls have a week of school off, and I'm free too. Yehoo!

I do not even remember the last time I have flown through a book as fast as this. It was probably the 7th Harry Potter book. My word, this book was great. The character reel you in hook, line, and sinker. The good, the bad, and the ugly are part of what make this novel such a hit. The topic is still such a heated one in many parts of the US and even though I've never had a maid or a nanny before, I'm glad for the glimpse I now have of what it was like to be in their shoes. You go, Miss Skeeter, and Abileen and Minny, y'all are gems! :)

Until next time,

~Sarah