Life in Austria

Well, I didn’t go out of town this weekend, which was really nice and relaxing. I’ve been travelling every weekend for the past month or so. So, I enjoyed just being in Salzburg. We had gorgeous sunny weather on Friday, so I rode my bike on some trails out of the city and saw some new sites, like the castle that they used to film the back of the house in Sound of Music. It was great to go to church and worship with the believers I’ve met here. After church we had a choir rehearsal for a Christmas music program we will have in December. I’m so glad I get to be a part of a choir again, even for a short time. We have amazing musicians in Salzburg. A lot of the students I’ve met in church go to the University Mozarteum, a music institute. I know they are some of the best musicians in training, and that someday I will see their names for concerts and think back to the days we spent together as students in Salzburg.

I thought I would share some small things that are different about living in Austria.
- People say ‘Malzeit’ before a meal, like ‘enjoy your meal.’
- Stores are about 20 times smaller than HEB. People just shop more often and buy less each time. There are bakeries and markets for fresh bread and produce. At the stores, the cashier quickly scans your items and then you pay and get try to get your stuff and yourself out of the way while she starts checking out the next person. It was frustrating at first, but I guess I’ve learned to bag quickly and move!
-Students pay next to nothing for a college education, and it used to be free for them. Some facilities are older and could use some improvement. The university campus is spread out through the city- there is no main campus. The library and certain majors are in old buildings in the Aldstadt (old city), while language classes are in another area, and science classes in another, newer building.
-There are more hazelnut flavored products over here. Like Nutella- a delicious chocolate hazelnut spread, goes great on pretzels. I don’t know how you justify having it for breakfast, but then we have donuts in America.
-Like 70% Catholic, that’s all.
-And we’re getting into the Christmas season, which means Christmas markets, ice-skating in the square, hot wine. So nice!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’ll have a dinner concert with my program, but I think I’ll miss out on getting turkey. Only one month until I come home!

Liz