Snowflakes and Mountaintops

Austria. It is here that I have developed a new and comprehensive appreciation for water in all of its forms. The pool is surrounded by ceiling high windows from which you can gaze upon the snow covered Alps. All 360 degrees of the view from our hotel is worthy of a postcard. The wellness room next to the pool is equally enjoyable. You could easily spend hours traveling between the steam room, sauna, aromatherapy room, jet showers, and what we endearingly named the napping room.

Upon our arrival, my family took an immediate liking to the hotel. Breakfast and dinner were provided downstairs in the dining hall. Exhaustion from travel left us rather incapacitated for the first day but we did venture into the nearby town of Zel am See for a little exercise and a mug of warm Glugwein. Christmas turned out to be something unique in my memory as it was only my little family to celebrate together. After dinner Mamma, Pappa, Erik and myself all exchanged small gifts before hearing the church bells next door calling us to mass. I found the service oddly familiar and comforting despite not understanding any part of the service (except for the Our Father prayer which I dutifully learned in German Class in High School).

The circus came to town the next day. By circus I mean the 21 other guests in our party. From Boston we were joined by the Faheys and McLaughlins. From Denmark: The last Danish viking, my great uncle Egon and Anna, the whole Erikson family, Jane, Rikke and their children. The call and response of the week led by Svend: "Who let the dog's out?" "...who? who? who? who? who." Even the little Danish children who knew about ten words in English were joyfully participating.

For over 7,000 years salt mining has been a major source of income for the Austrian government. In the 16th century, Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau profited so hugely from the mining of "white gold" that he was able to invest in magnificent architecture to develop the city of Saltzburg. We toured a salt mine located deep under the town of Hallein. We made our way into the mountain on a train and then descended even further on wooden slides. The caverns varied greatly; some narrow and damp, others huge and drafty. One large area was flooded and we all boarded a big boat in order to cross the room. We crossed an underground German border (no passport necessary) before eventually rising into the cold day above. It was a surprisingly enjoyable day.

There is not much that beets the thrill of plummeting down a mountain covered in snow. One of the highlights for many of us was a sledding trip down a local mountain. After being pulled up the steep roads (almost 3km) we reached big cabin where we enjoyed glugwein, beer, and various meat/cheese plates before picking up sleds and making out way down the mountain at dusk. The route was marked with lanterns and we were warned that "if there is no light, you have a problem". The old wooden sleds served us well as we steered with our feet for a ride that took nearly twenty minutes from top to bottom. That evening we celebrated my parents 25th wedding anniversary (3 months late) over dinner and drinks. Pat brought a bunch of decorations for the US and Erik and I showed a little video that we made for them. I consider myself very lucky to a product of such a beautiful and equally quirky relationship. They sing, tease, and laugh their way through life.

The next day we were all singing through life on the Sound of Music tour in Satlzburg, A big bus took us around the city and the guide pointed out some of the places from the movie that is so near my heart. Interestingly the movie is unknown to most locals. The city was mesmerizing though. Lichen covered trees lined the narrow streets making us all hold our breath as the bus came within inches of them on sharp turns. Old Barouch style buildings with fountains, statues and walking streets in abundance made me feel as if I could have easily been living a century or two in the past. The city seems to capture the essence of timelessness.

After six years I was able to rekindle my love for the snowboard. Pappa, Erik and I all hit the slopes at Zel am See on New Years Eve. My initial nerves were quickly pushed aside after realizing that could still make it down without having to plow the side of the mountain. One run in and I was carving down some of the steepest slopes I've ever been on. Two days of snow showers ensured we had a lot of cushion for the inevitable wipe outs. That evening we danced and drank our way into 2012.

Today I am in Munich, the capital of Bavaria in Germany. It is a beautiful city with a fascinating history. My family flew out this morning and I am waiting for my flight tomorrow. After landing, I'll have about 14 hours before I have to drive down to Perry Point to start year two of NCCC. This trip has been exactly what I've needed to be ready for another year of service.

Pictures are forthcoming and possibly a video or two. Happy New Year! Godt NytÅr! Prosit Neujahr!