austria

the hills were alive for sure.  :-)

we took a 4 hour train ride south to salzburg.  the train was nice, and we had 2 sets of 2 seats facing each other with a table in between and 1 more seat across the aisle (florian went with us).  we stayed in a hotel right there in the thick of things.  it was perfect.  we found random places to eat the whole time, all of which were very good.  we explored some gardens, some really old churches, and a massive fortress at the highest point in town.

the 2nd day we were there, we took a 2 hour train ride over to hallstatt, a small town nestled in the alps.  this town really just didn't even seem real.  it was like it was out of a fairy tale.  we took a ferry across this lake from the train track to the town.  we really just walked around & ate.  the scenery was gorgeous.  slept on the train ride home.

the last day in salzburg, we slept in, checked out of the hotel, did some christmas shopping, took a bus to the train station, ate lunch at burger king (at my request), and took the 4 hour train ride home.  florian, becca, mom, and i played kniffel for a good chunk of the time on the way home.

this morning, becca had to go teach some english classes, so we slept in then went shopping and met back up with bec.  we got some chinese for lunch.  i started feeling bad (and sleepy) so i took the train back to bec's while mom, dad, and bec shopped some more then took a short trip over to a big pumpkin festival.  i took a 3 hour nap that was much needed.  hopefully i'll be able to sleep tonight.

tomorrow we'll take a train over to giengen.  teddy bears were apparently invented there by this woman, and there's a museum there (mom is a teddy bear fan).

going home in 2 days.  i'm ready to see my john boy.  :-)