Cue the music....

I used to think these type of things only happened in movies. Apparently not....

The other morning, on my way to catch a bus to Salzburg's main station, I was in a hurry. I had to meet the church group there that I was traveling to Vienna with. Of course, the bus station by my place is closed down due to construction, so I went to the stop next to it: one I wasn't familiar with. I ran to catch the bus, one that I had thought was traveling to the Salzburg train station. About 10 minutes into the ride I realized we were going in the wrong direction. I had to get out of the bus and run like a mad woman until I got back to the street by my apartment. Now I was still a 20-minute walk away from the main station and it looked like I had run out of options, so I went through my backpack, trying to find the group leaders' numbers so that I could call them and inform them that I wouldn't be able to make it. After all, I had to meet them there in 5 minutes. Then, with a sudden burst of inspiration, I waved frantically for a cab, despite the fact that it's hard to catch one where I lived. As if out of nowhere, one stopped and I got in quickly. He asked me if I was in a hurry and I confirmed I was. I had to make it to the main station: and quick! He told me not to worry--he had worked in Paris as a cab driver and was used to driving fast. He drove quickly but skillfully, and I arrived on time. A miracle.

Fast forward to that afternoon: our group toured the United Nations in Vienna, went to a "Schickimicki" Kaffeehaus for apple strudel and coffee, and even went to the Christmas market in front of the Rathaus that evening. Simply amazing. Until....that next morning in the hotel. Having gotten up for breakfast at 8:30, I looked like death as I walked down to meet the others. I sat with them at a table but was not taking part in the conversation. After having eaten a sandwich I went up to get coffee and yogurt. I grabbed what I wanted, and, hands full, tried to walk back to my table. As if out of a movie, I tripped over the step, and twisted my ankle as the dishes flew in the air. Everybody gasped and there were immediately at least 4 people at my side, helping me to get up and back to my chair. Embarrassing doesn't even begin to cover it. It was unreal.

Now here I sit, in my room, with a twisted, swollen ankle, a headache, and a pissed out outlook on life. Did I happened to mention somehow in the past few days I have also lost my passport?

Oh the joys of living abroad...no matter what, I wouldn't trade this whole experience for everything. At least these types of stories will add to the book I am going to write someday.

Here's hoping I make it through the next few days without incident.

Love, Molly