Snapshots of living in Austria!

I has now been two weeks since I arrived in Europe.  I have done more new things in these two weeks then possibly in my entire life.  I have made some great friends and it is hard to believe we have only know each other for two weeks. We had some rainy days at first (which covers the mountains in the most beautiful fog ever) but over the last week the weather has been almost perfect. Today was our last day of our intensive language orientation course and our real classes start on Monday.

Other than being in class and doing homework (of which there was a surprising amount) we have been having a grand time getting to know Salzburg and its surrounding areas.  What is one of the best ways to get immersed in the culture of Austria?  A pastry tasting seminar in one of the oldest cafes in Salzburg.  This cafe was were the original Mozartkugel or Mozart Ball (a favorite Austrian chocolate) was created.  

 During one of the rainy days we visited Hohenwerfen Castle.  After a 45 minute bus ride and a 30 minute hike up a mountain this was the view we were greeted with.  The fog was so thick on the mountains that you couldn't see the peaks.

Hohenwefen Castle has a daily 'Birds of Prey' show featuring native Austrian falcons and North American bald eagles.  Go to a 'Birds of Prey' show in Austria, see bald eagles.  I think I have found my true calling.  I should be a falconer.  I don't think there is anything cooler than being a falconer; and no, it is not just because you get to dress up like Robing Hood (though that is a plus).  

Andreas has been our tour-guide around the city of Sazburg and the surrounding areas for the last two weeks.  He is well over 6'6, was born and raised in Salzburg, knows everything there is to know about Austria, and is one of the happiest and sweetest men I have ever met.  While we were in the courtyard of the castle we found some old stilts in a corer and gave them a try.  Andreas thought it was hilarious that someone was finally as tall as he was and put his hat on my head before doing a jig.

After a tour of the castle we got to climb up into the bell tour and get a 360 view of the surrounding valley and mountains.  One thing I have noticed about Austria is that no matter how big a field is, you will never see a herd of cows that has more than 15 cows in it.  

At the end of our tour Andreas took us for one last quick stop at Hellbrunn; where, if you take a walk to the back of the gardens, you find the gazebo that was used in filming 'The Sound of Music'.  Normally the gazebo is locked but Andreas also works at Hellbrunn and had a key for it.

One of the best parts about staying at St. Sebastian is the rooftop  with this view one of the best views in Salzburg.