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Next Destination: Prague

October 26, 2015 Leave a Comment

When I first started talking about living in Austria, a friend of mine told me, “You have to go to Prague.”

“Really, why? Have you been there?” Now, I don’t really need a reason to visit another country, but I always like to know a person’s reasoning when they’re throwing the phrase “you have to” in with their statement.

“Nope, I haven’t!” He was still excited. “But you have to go because it’s awesome!”

Well, I’m not going to say that this friend’s excitement over this old city made me more interested in visiting it since he wasn’t really able to support his excitement with any interesting facts or enthralling experiences, but I must admit that when the opportunity arose to plan a trip, I was in.

So, tall and mathematical friend who may or may not read this website, I’m going to Prague.

— — —

In the mean time, I’m doing some fun research in preparation of this trip! Check out the below pictures and websites for more about Prague!

4 Must-Try Experiences for Young Travelers in Prague

I must admit that I’d die a little bit to see the library in Prague, and I think it would be equally cool to spray paint the John Lennon wall, too. But, here’s to not planning and enjoying the adventure!

Check back in to read about my experiences in Prague.

Feed Your Muse: Real Food

October 22, 2015 Leave a Comment

I love food. It’s a running joke with my colleagues that if it’s breakfast time then Barbara is surely already thinking about dinner. Now, I’m not always quite this on point, but all jokes contain some truth.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged… that our bodies need food. But not only do we need food, but our other passions must be fueled in some way. If you’re passionate about socks, then you must go to fancy sock stores or maybe knit your own (do you have a Pinterest board just for socks?).

We all need inspiration.

Exercise is my least favorite thing, and yet, I know my body needs this discipline. I’ve got goals (to be a someday 30-year-old hottie). So I admit that I follow a lot of bodybuilders and athletes because their discipline and their mindsets challenge me to do my 45-minute workout. I feel like a strong wimp! Thankfully I don’t compete against these girls…

But the main reason I’m writing this post is to ask you (and me) how you fuel your passions. Do you know what you love? Do you know your favorite hobbies? Do you know what you want to be better at?

If you do, then how do you inspire yourself or challenge yourself to better?

Three Days in Salzburg, Austria

October 19, 2015 1 Comment

The hills are alive, right? With the sound of music? Anyone?

If you’re from Austria or Germany, you’ve probably been asked about the Sound of Music from a someone who’s not from either country. Appropriately, the German speakers find it very strange that a musical has been made about German speakers but the entire film is in English. I’m ashamed that I’ve never considered that before! I’ve learned to hide my love of this film, but I’m about to indulge this love in this post.

As an American, I’m used to people saying, “Oh, you live in Austria? Like the Sound of Music?” That musical movie is about 5 seconds away from being spoken any time anyone says Austria in the USA.

It’s basically a fact.

When my parents came to visit me a couple of weeks ago, my mom had one request: Salzburg and Sound of Music.

Together, we perused the web for train tickets and then a hostel. Then, we were ready for our grand adventure. I didn’t research Salzburg because I thought my parents would. They didn’t research it because they thought their “European” daughter would. So let’s just say that the entire event became a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type trip.

Maria and the children run through this while singing "Do Re Mi" — **Maria and the children run through this while singing “Do Re Mi”**

We stayed at the Eduard-Heinrich-Haus for two nights, and we were pleased with the space. It was a bit difficult to find, but we, of course, decided to walk all the way from the train station to the hostel. The hostel is basically set back from the rest of the street in a bunch of trees and greenery, which is nice once you’ve located the building. Walking was a great way to explore Salzburg; however, my feet weren’t so thankful and neither was my mother. We used the bus from then on.

Our first day in Salzburg we were wanderers, taking in the sights and relishing the sunshine and the oldness of the town. We stopped for coffee (a wonderful tradition of the Austrians) at an outdoor cafe. We took some selfies to send to my sister and brother who were USA-bound due to different schooling commitments (whether being teacher or student).

We may have bought some "proper tea" here...Tetley Black Tea. — We may have bought some “proper tea” here…Tetley Black Tea.

The second day, we were picked up at our hostel for the Sound of Music bus tour (just so you know, you can purchase the tickets and set up the pick-up at your hotel/hostel at the train station’s tourist office). While waiting to be picked up, I made friends with an awesome adventurer from Australia. She and I stuck together for most of the 4-hour tour (yes, it’s four hours, but it’s so worth it).

Remember the scene where Maria and the children fall from the boat to the water? Yes! That happened here!

Honestly, I was a bit nervous about this bus tour. In my head, I totally expected a bunch of grannies and gramps wheazing (singing along) to the Sound of Music soundtrack. Not at all. We had all the ages on our bus (from littles to oldies).

Antonio, our Spanish tour guide, shared facts not only about the Sound of Music but also about Salzburg, the city. And this man was funny. He made singing along to the Sound of Music soundtrack seem cool.

This is the church that the marriage ceremony was filmed in. It's actually located in a town outside of Salzburg. — This is the church that the marriage ceremony was filmed in. It’s actually located in a town outside of Salzburg.

And you know, it may seem lame, but I was pretty thrilled to be standing in the same areas where the Sound of Music was filmed. Crazier yet is the fact that the film has just reached its 50th anniversary! Julie Andrews is definitely one of my cultural idols or icons. She’s just amazing.

My parents and I finished out our day by climbing up to the Fortress Hohensalzburg. We saw the most beautiful view because we miraculously were in Salzburg for 3 days that it wasn’t raining (our friendly guide, Antonio, had informed us earlier that it rains half the year in Salzburg). The weather was gorgeous our entire visit.

The main trick to enjoying a short stay in such a quaint and spectacular city as Salzburg is to pinpoint the 1-3 items that you Absolutely Must Do. Having a short list means accomplishing it, and anything extra is makes your trip even better!

And now my absolute favorite picture from the trip!