Exploring Salzburg with family!

Hallo!

It has been a busy couple of weeks with visits from my amazing family! I was able to give them an insiders view of Salzburg, showing them what my life is like here in Salzburg, as well as finally seeing the highlights of the city and surrounding areas. My sister Jody and I were also lucky enough to travel to our great-Grandfather's village of Obernzell in Germany (Bavaria region), but I will get to that later!

It was truly amazing to have a visit from my mother and her significant other, as it has been a long time since I have seen them. And it's always great to see familiar faces after being in a faraway land for so long.

Mom, Rick and I kept busy during their visit with day trips, trying new foods, as well as some hiking! After showing Mom and Rick the sights of Salzburg such as the Fortress, Mirabell Platz, Salzburg Square, and the Dom, we began to explore outwards of the city. Since they rented a car, I was able to take them to Hallstatt (which is equally as amazing and breathtaking the second time). It was a high priority for them to see Hallstatt, and I think it met all their expectations and more.

Hallstatt, Austria. View from the cemetery near the top of the village

The next day, we drove to Berchtesgaden (Germany) to see Königssee and Eagle's Nest (aka Hitler's Nest). The Eagle's nest was definitely worth the visit. After a short drive from Salzburg, a delicious lunch, and a bus ride taking us up 1800 metres, we made it to the the Eagles Nest. We were able to walk around the house, as well as walk to the top of many mountains. The view was incredible. Unfortunately, we did not have the best of weather so it was a bit foggy, but we could still see the villages below. From the top of one of the mountains you would see Germany on your left, and Salzburg on the right. It was outstanding!

The Eagle's Next (aka Hitler's Nest) at 1850m elevation, in Berchtesgaden, Germany. 

Just one of the amazing views from the top of Eagle's Nest! 

I really enjoyed the time with Mom and Rick, and I think they enjoyed their time in Salzburg as well!! 

The following weekend, Jody came to visit! I was super lucky to have family come visit, from so far away! Jody's visit was a bit less 'tourist' focused, as she was in Salzburg 10 years ago when she backpacked Europe. It was very interesting to hear her perspective on things, and how they have changed in those ten years. But of course, I took Jody to the best brewery in town: Augustiner! We had a very fun time at the brewery, and we met some Austrian men who were on a 'bike' trip (bike = vespa). They were in their forties, and such friendly and funny characters. The fact that they kept buying us beer was appreciated... but not in the morning. 

Jody and I were fortunate enough to visit our Great-Grandfather's village in Bavaria. It was one of my goals to visit Obernzell while I was in Europe and I am so happy I got to experience that with family. Seeing our Great-Grandfathers brewery, the family named street sign, as well as the family headstone in the cemetery was... simply fascinating. Hard to explain really. Jody and I tried to imagine what it was like when our great-grandfather, Anton, lived there. Although the buildings look like they have been renovated a bit, you could still create a image in your head of what it might be like in the 1900s in Obernzell. To say the least, I consider myself so unbelievably lucky to be able to access my families heritage, and to see just where we came from (as silly as that sounds). 

Jody and I at the Augustiner Bräu in Salzburg. And visiting Obernzell, Germany, seeing and experiencing our family's history.  Great-Grandfather's brewery on the top, and the Rechenmacherweg street sign! 

It was so amazing to see my family. Being away from your friends and family for six months is not easy, but having such an amazing support system back home has been so amazing. I know my family is awesome, but man... we are SO awesome. 

After I had some lovely visits, I had to buckle down and get back to school as it was wrapping up. I can say now, that I am DONE school in Salzburg! This next week consists of farewells (of all sorts), and planning for my summer adventures, then leaving Salzburg on June 30th.  It will be hard to say farewell to all the people I have met here in Salzburg, but it wont be "goodbye", it will be "see you later"! 

I am ecstatic for my adventure to continue, with a jam packed summer full of festivals, beaches, sights to see and so many opportunities, I'm sure!! 

I don't know how much I will be able to blog while travelling, as I won't have a computer and will rely on internet cafes. But I will try my best to update when I can! 

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far :) 

One love! 

Tschuss! 

Mind the Gap! My London getaway

Hello again!

Studying in Salzburg has given me so many amazing opportunities, but I would have to say that the highlight is the location. Being so central, I can travel basically anywhere in a short amount of time. Having a four day weekend, I decided to take a weekend trip to London!

London is such a beautiful city! It was so easy to get around on foot or metro (hence, "mind the gap"...you hear it at every station as a warning when exiting the metro).  My hostel was in a great location, being pretty central yet not right in the tourist areas, so I was able to see the real London as well as the touristy London. I like to start my visits with a free tour, if the city offers one. The free tours usually cover the main attractions and provide very interesting historical facts and then I use that as a guide of what I want to explore further. I was also fortunate enough to have great weather, and miss the rain completely!

I arrived in the evening, so I went for a walk along the Millennium bridge just as the sun was setting and the views were incredible. The bridges are lit with colourful lights, making it even more breathtaking!

View from the Millennium Bridge at sunset, with the London Towers in the background. 

Starting the next day off with the free tour, I was able to see the Buckingham Palace, Changing of the Guard, the Parliament buildings and Big Ben, as well as other hotspots. We didn't get to go inside Buckingham Palace, but it was amazing seeing the outside of it. Fun fact: There is a gate within the Palace quarters called the Canada Gate. I always find a bit of Canada wherever I go, which obviously makes me super proud to be Canadian!

Buckingham Palace, during the Changing of the Guard. There were SO many people/tourists around the Palace quarters, it was overwhelming!

After a long day of walking for 9 hours, I headed back to my hostel wanting some well deserved food and rest! I knew London would be expensive, but it was still shocking to see just HOW expensive it was. One meal consisting of a burger, yam fries and a beer cost 17£ (about $30). Even if it was a delicious avocado bacon burger... it's still pretty steep.

The disadvantage to travelling on weekends in the time restraint. By the time I get to my destination I only have about two full days to see the city, then have to leave back to Salzburg.  I spent my last day in the Natural History Museum and doing a tour of my all time favourite venue: the Royal Albert Hall.
The Natural History Museum was incredible! (Even better because it was free). There were exhibits about volcanoes and the solar system, I could not have timed my visit better. I spent a few hours in the museum, just getting lost in all the amazing facts and displays. Afterwards, I eagerly headed to the Royal Albert Hall, just ridden with excitement to tour one of the most famous venues in the world. And it did not disappoint.

The Royal Albert Hall in London. Just look at its beauty! So amazing!! 

I got to learn about the history of the venue, who has performed, what types of events they can host and so on. But honestly, the design and architecture of the venue is breathtaking on its own. It would be a dream come true to plan an event in that venue! Our tour group was super lucky to be able to take pictures inside the auditorium, since there was rehearsal going on. But they must of known I was coming, because they went on lunch break and we could take pictures!!

Inside the Royal Albert Hall auditorium, with the original organ of 999 pipes still looking as good as new! 

After the Royal Albert Hall, I was feeling liberated and so happy that I was brave enough to go to Oxford Street, which is by far the CRAZIEST street I have seen. Full of the biggest shops in the city, as well as being Sunday, this street was so crowded and busy I could not walk a straight line for two steps. People everywhere. So I didn't spend much time there, and instead I decided to check out the last of the big tourist attractions: the Tower of London and the London Bridge. And yet again, London amazed me. The London Towers are an icon of the city (along with Big Ben), and once you get up close to the towers, it takes a while to believe how big they are! Yet another beautiful site that I will never forget :)

London Bridge!! A perfect way to spend my last day in London! 

London was such a beautiful city, and even with the high costs of almost everything, I can't wait till I can come back and explore it even more!

Until next time,
Tschuss!