Grusse gott! As Chris already well-described, we are enjoying our Christmas weekend in Austria. We spent the first night in Villach which is just over the Italian-Austrian border. It was a wonderful night. We found a comfortable hotel within walking distance to the old town which was bustling with its annual Christmas market. The ever-present church in the center of town had an imposing bell tower that was draped in a netting of small white lights. Beneath the bell tower was a simple life-size nativity scene missing only the birthday baby. The market stauls were buzzing with shoppers and families strolling the cobblestone street. Every few stauls had people gathered around heating lamps sipping their Gluwein and the aroma just added to the whole scene. Around a corner, we happened upon the skating rink busy with youngsters having fun. The rink had a faux ceiling made of more netting of white lights draped like fabric. It was hard to drag the kids away from their spot watching the ice skaters, but they did enjoy a ride on the kinder train just down the street.
Down a little further was a small music group. I really don't know what to call these Tyrolean guys. They were dressed in sheep skin, one played the accordian, one a bag pipe sort of thing (also made of sheep skin), one a tambourine, and another a short oboe. They were a jolly group who responded to our kids' amazed faces by coming closer and giving us a personal concert. After the song, one musician got on his cell phone and his partner explained to us he was in the middle of a deal to sell 2000 of his sheep. Sure. Why not? Our walk was followed by a warm comfort-food dinner (one that only an Austrian or German brauhaus could deliver) and a tall Dunkel beir. Wunderbar!
The morning at our hotel was complete with a wonderful breakfast spread full of German coldcuts, spreads, fresh farm breads, croisants, fruit, yogurts, granolas and other cereals, and good strong coffee. It was good fueling for our trip to Salzburg.
Driving the Autobahn to Salzburg was great. We were surrounded by impressive rocky, snow covered peaks all around. At one point we came out of a long tunnel into a snow storm. Of course, Josh had to go potty, but luckily there was a rest stop right there outside the tunnel. By the time I came out of the bathroom, the snow was really coming down and there was probably an inch or so on the pavement. I thought, we better get out of here. We have a new car, but did not have time to get snow tires. We slowly slipped our way out of the rest stop, and luckily, as we descended in elevation, the snow turned more to rain......a wintry mix, as they say.
Salzburg is great so far. I really enjoyed the ChristKindl-Market while the rest of my party rested. The market was bustling with people and there were lots of stauls with beautiful Christmas ornaments and other crafts and goods. There were also stands selling beautiful breads, pasteries, and candies. The market is set-up at the foot of the Cathedral in the center of the old town. It was a beautiful Christmas scene.
I'm not sure what the rest of our time in Salzburg will hold, but I'm sure we will be reporting it later.
To all our family and friends, we are wishing you a wonderful Christmas and lots of love!
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