Travel

By Sunday, December 19, I couldn't wait to get out of Salzburg. I was meeting with Christine, Ingo, and the kids, and I just couldn't wait. I took the train to a small town in Bavaria near the border, where I was to meet them. Being American, I had about 8 Euros in change in my pocket-not much cash. Luckily I was able to pay for my train ticket and get to an ATM upon arrival. But anyway...

The family went sledding in the mountains. I love sledding, but I was frightened by the mountains and decided to wait for them down on the ground, where it was safe-haha. After they finally got back, we walked into town to look at the Christmas Market. Christmas music playing, Glühwein and craft stands abound, it is always a treat to visit one of these traditional markets. We also went out for coffee and I got my usual latte machiatto. I don't want to know how much money I spend on those things. A fancy coffee machine would probably be a good investment for me. I saw the cutest Espresso machine at Tchibo that was calling my name the other day-sogar in PINK! ;) But at 100 Euro... It was either cut my hair or buy that, and I need a hair cut.

Back to Dec. 19...after that I drove back to their house with them and slept there. It was a nice evening, wine and one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen. Just think of a geeky German man wearing outdated clothes and saying things like, "Tschüssi," and you will get the idea... The film was definitely good for a laugh.

The next morning I headed from Augsburg to Goslar, which is supposedly a 5 hour train ride. But try telling that to the Deutsche Bahn (German train company). Due to the weather and numerous delays, I ended up getting to my destination about 4 hours later than expected. But the journey along the way was priceless. First, when I went to switch trains in Göttingen, I saw a notice that my train wasn't going to be stopping in Hildesheim (my stop-of course). So I had to get out at the stop before. As we were delayed by a few minutes, the next train that was sup. to wait for us didn't. So I ended up at the Hannover Messe (where they hold conventions) train station for 2 hours. Our train kept getting delayed, so I was out there in the freezing cold, commiserating with other people that were just as pissed off as I was. It was especially enjoyable when an announcement came on every few minutes saying, "Attention, a high speed train is coming. Please watch out." And a train would whoosh by, blowing wind (and lots of snow) in our faces. When our train did come, it quickly took us to Hildesheim, where I was sup. to change trains again. I was starving by the time I got there, and I decided that, although I only had 6 minutes before my next train was scheduled to leave, I would run downstairs and grab a roll or something. I did, and I quickly ran back up the stairs to try and catch my train. I got there in time to watch the train pull away. Perfect. Well, at least the next train was scheduled to leave in an hour, right? And of course that one was delayed by about an hour, too. Perfect. When I went to get on the train I heard a familiar voice say, "Can I help you, miss?" Then I realized it was my host dad. He had been working nearby and was taking the train back to Goslar too. So he and I passed the time talking in what was a very dark train ride (the lights were out for most of the ride). Finally we were able to get to Goslar and get the bus to Hahnenklee, where their house is.

And that is where I will end for this evening :)

Love, Molly