Beginning Birthday Photos

Mom and Dad sing me a birthday song by Quick Time Movie

Shannon as the Wicked Birthday Wish Witch

Turning 28

Shopping Mania

28 in Innsbruck

Dinner with Sonja, Britta, Me, Katrin, and Anika

Pixie Dust on my birthday

The Girls after drinks

My Bounty of Gifts

So here I am miles away from family and close friends and I have my 28th birthday. I originally thought this would be strange, but because of the great people I have met here, and the fact that my family and friends back home remembered me, I had an amazing birthday. I even went to one of my classes. To some it may seem as though I went a little over board with my shopping (which I did), but hey I had fun walking the streets and entering the shops to see what Innsbruck had to offer me.
Arriving back to the dorm, after class, I smelled the wonderful aroma of lasagna cooking in the oven. Thank you to Sonja and Britta for all their hard work in making my birthday special. The lasagna, salad, two bottles of wine, one bottle of sparkling wine, and shots of XUXU were amazing. The conversations even better. To Sonja, Britta, Katrin, and Anika--thank you, thank you, thank you for being here for my birthday.
And to the girls that met up with us at Hof Garten: Liz, Valentina, Helen, Elaine, Jo, Hayley, you made my birthday great. It was wonderful seeing everyone getting to know each other, and I hope that if anything I take from this place amazing friends for a life time.
To my family, what can I say, I woke up to the most hysterical birthday film. I was crying because I was laughing so much. My friends here enjoyed it as well!!!! Georgia, it was great talking with you on the phone at 1:30 am my time and about 6 in the evening yours. I just received your gift today, and I have to admit that it made me start crying because you picked the perfect things for me. I don't know what I would do if you weren't in my life. You truly are my best friend and I love ya dearly.
Well, the morning brought the hangover of the birthday night, but I did make it to my classes and though I felt a little off, I still had a smile on my face from my birthday. So thanks to all. This weekend it is Vienna. So look for a new blog soon.

American Football in Austria

Raiders Cheerleaders

George and Elaine (sorry if I misspelled your names)

George flying down the hill in our free give-a-ways

Beautiful Mountains surrounding our view
I know it is hard to imagine, but yes Denver did go to an American Football game in Innsbruck, Austria. I watched the Tirol Radiers vs. Vienna Dodge Vikings. It was interesting, but not my typical entertainment. Then it was off for a walk and search for an open late supermarket. And then off to the river for a late night BBQ. The top off of the evening being the amazing violet dusk light hitting the towering mountains. All in all a fun night, and though my paper is not finished yet, it soon will be.

Brussels, Bruge, and Brendan photos continued

Beer display from 'T BRUGS BEERTJE

Alice in Wonderland Coffee complete with black and white cat above on the window sill

'T BRUGS BEERTJE: Toast to missing the train with Ben. Photo taken by Brendan

3:30 am the train ride home begins in Bruge

Brussels, Bruge, and Brendan

Minnewater Park, Bruge. D.dot in glow

Performing artist Grand Place, Brussels

Brendan w/ Beer. 'T Brugs BeerTJE

Statue. Brussels

Here is what you need to make travels enjoyable:

A good pair of walking shoes, and the attitude your legs will keep moving no matter how tired they say they are!
Some good tunes:
Devotchka seems to keep me rolling, and they help make the environment sparkle just a bit.
A good friend to have a beer with at the end of the day you enjoy talking with.
And the carefree nature that if you miss your plane, train, or whatever--there is always another way home, and the ability to see more.

It was great seeing the cousins for Easter. I believe holidays are a time for family and it was great to have family a small flight away. Brussels was nice to see for a few days, and I was happy people had recommend Bruge to me. Funny how it seemed everyone I was near kept talking about it. You don't mess with signs like that--you just go. Wish I would have had more time there. It was nice to do my thing in the day and then sit with Brendan to have a beer and talk about what we want to do when we get back to the States, or back to the cities we live in, or just talk about the things we are passionate about. For him beer, for me children's literature. It seems a perfect fit don't you think.

Anyhow, I was sad to leave. And maybe there was a part of me that made me miss my flight back. I don't know. But what overwhelmed me was the fact that I didn't care. On the bus ride back to the Sud Charolie train station Dido came on my iPod singing See the Sun, and sure enough at that time the sun was coming up and I had to smile when the lyrics came to "You probably don't want to hear tomorrows another day, but I promise you you'll see the sun again." So I just went with it. Who cared how I got home.
Even Brendan had said he didn't know me that well, but how he did know me, he thought I would be acting completely different. I told him I thought the same thing. I don't know what has come over me here, but life is good. I walk the streets and I just smile. Maybe it's because I'm in coffee and ice cream heaven. But I really feel this experience has opened my eyes to my attitude. I have so many new thoughts on what I can do with my life, and I like everyone of them. I know when I get home things will change for me. I will get back into my routine, but I hope I keep a bit of this experience with me and let myself just go. Nothing holding me back. Options are open and waiting for me to choose, but at the moment I feel there is no rush.

I love you guys back home, and everyone here I have met or re-met. I hope you are smiling as big as me and you have your eyes open to the world around you.

New Travels: Amazing friends

Sonja und Britta on top of hotel at a cafe
In the case you are wondering who I keep talking about. These two great girls have been the ones that keep me on my feet when I feel home sick and who have invited me into their lives without question. I hope one day they can make it to the states.

Britta with me in front of the fountain near the Dome Cathedral

Me with a city background!

Basic city view of Salzburg

Yeah??? Don't ask!

Salzburg!
What can I say, this city is welcoming in every way. My travels here made me smile more then I have in I don't know how long. A big huge thanks to Sonja and Britta (and Sonja's family!) for making it so special and great.

Besides the beauty, amazing walk ways, music around every corner, horse drawn carriages, and spectacular views: The history of Salzburg is amazing too. Took a great tour of the gardens. Saw where Mozart composed one of his first works in the house near the hidden theater. Walked the cobbled stone streets. Viewed the inside of the dome. Made in the Fortress and walked the hills/mountain of the area. Had coffee with friends on top of a great hotel which gave a great view of the city, in the heat of the sun. And so much more.

Then to Sonja's mom: Thank you for a home cooked meal. It was the best feeling to eat something cooked by a Mom. What is it that mothers' do with cooking? Sonja, Britta, and I decided that somehow the love they bake with enters the food. The soup, the salad, the schnitzel, and the tirimisu were amazing. I will be lucky if I get anything like that again while I'm here.

All in all....Salzburg is a must see for those traveling. A magic lys in the air that makes you amazed with all its wonders.

Salzburg, Austria

Here is a view from one of the first lookout points I walked to in the Monchsberg hills/mountain. The Alps are amazing!

This is a view of the wonderful rainbow I walked under in the rain. The statue is located in Domplatz.

Me with my favorite dwarf in the Mirabellgarten-A must see for all.

A view of Salzburg near the point where I realized I didn't know how to get off the mountain and had to back track my way to the city. And yes...a lot of rain came my way.