Grüneau

August 10

Our first goal after getting out of our hostel by 10, was to send postcards i have been carrying around in my purse for a week. I didn't know it would be such a challenging task!  BUT  no worries we figured it out finally. 

We bought breakfast at the super market and went to just explore Salzburg a little more before catching my train at 3.

We went up this elevator in the cliffs and saw the best views of Salzburg! We just walked around in the woods and pointed out the places we have been in the city. Salzburg really is a beautiful city. It was perfect timing because we got up there at noon and every single church bell around the city was chiming. 

Just walking around the city. Here is Mozart's birth home right in the middle of old town. 

We walked down to the bridge that Maria and the children run across in the movie and took some pictures :)

It was time to head back to the hostel and grab my things to catch my train on time. I was a bit stressed for time because I didn't leave the hostel until 2. I had to walk 10 min to catch the city tram, take a 15 min ride on the tram, walk 10 min to the train station, buy my ticket, and find the train platform all in an hour! I remained calm though because if worst comes to worst I would just have to wait 2 hours for another train. 

The city tram didn't end up coming until 2:28. It is about 4 buses long and the driver pulled all the way up so I had to get on in the last door. But since I am a good person, I knew I had to pay so I started walking fast up to the front door to pay the driver and he started shutting the door. I yelled wait really loud and touched the door. I could not miss this tram or I would definitely not make the train. It was very embarrassing getting on because the entire tram was looking up at me and I knew my face was bright red. The driver was extremely rude but opened the door for me thank goodness. 

I made it to the train with 10 minutes to spare! Only because my train was actually at 3:12 not 3 like I kept thinking! Phew

I had to switch trains at this small station and then catch another one an hour later to Gruenau im almtal. It was so funny because we took a train that had only one train car! I have never been on a train so small. 

I fell asleep and woke up and I was the only one left on the train. Two minutes later the train stopped and I saw the grüenau sign!

Myself and the train conductor were the only people for miles and miles.  it was so still and quiet, the only noise were birds chirping and the engine of the train turning off. It was peaceful and I knew right when I stepped off the train I would love it here. I am so thankful I met that couple who told me about this hostel. 

This is the cleanest air I have breathed my entire trip abroad and there was a lingering campfire smell in the air! Mm 

I looked at the email i received from the hostel to find the directions to the hostel, the treehouse. This is what the email said..

"Just take a train to Wels, which is on the main line between Salzburg and Vienna.  In Wels, change trains to a small 
regional train, track 11, to Grünau im Almtal. Grünau is the very last stop.  When you get off the train, give us a call from the 
pay phone for FREE pick up from the train station.  You only need to dial 8499. Warning!! The pay phone only takes coins.  
Be sure to have some handy when you arrive.  If you call us ahead of time and make a reservation, we'll be there waiting 
for you."

I picked up the pay phone and could not read the directions so I just guessed. A man answered the phone and I told him I am staying at his hostel and I am at the train station wondering if I could get a ride. 

Here is the train station and the pay phone I used. 

Fifteen minutes later a sweet lady came and picked me up in a big white van and took me to the treehouse. 

She was originally from L.A but studied abroad in Salzburg and met a man opened the treehouse and never went home. 

I have mentioned this before but all the Aussies that I am meeting are apart of this tour group called bus-about. It is really fun to get all their insights because the tour is very informative and helpful. 

I was greeted at the door by Gerhard (the owner) with a hug. The first thing he said to me was "welcome to the treehouse! Do you want dinner? We are serving chicken fillet."  What a refreshing treat to come to such a homey environment in the mountains! It is such a treat! I don't see myself only being here for 2 nights!! 

Not only did he offer to serve me dinner but he gave me a room to myself! Now this is a treat, not having to sleep with snoring strangers and have my own space!

I Jumped right in with the Aussies here! Guess what we played most of the night!? EUCHER!! I have been dying to play and no one knows how so I was ecstatic! It was bizarre though because they play with 7 and higher instead of 9 and higher like we do. They also use 5 and 6 for scorecards to they play to 11, not 10. I taught them "In the barn yard"! They thought it was very weird  haha

It is so relaxed that we can just go behind the bar, pour ourselves a beer, and mark our name and he will charge us at the end.  

My new favorite Aussie words

Cheeky: sly, mischievous 

Stuffed up: messed up

Mal, if you are reading, I tried vegemite today. I probably should have had you make it for me because I wasn't the biggest fan. 

Vegemite is this brown Australian paste, usually put on toast, that tasted just very salty and bitter.

I just looked it up and it is left over brewers yeast extract. Now that I know this I may have a different view on it. 

I will give it another taste tomorrow at "breaky!"